things have changed

How things have changed. We adopted two sons of First Nations ancestry many years ago. The first one moved into our home in 1990. At that time things were handled differently. We still had a home study done, but there was a very limited adoption education program (not like the one MCFD now provides to adoptive parents) and when we adopted our son of First Nations ancestry there was no culture plan created. In fact we received very limited information about his birth mother's home community in northern BC. When we adopted his birth sibling a few years later there was still no culture plan, but we did receive a letter supporting the adoption from their community and a band newsletter.
Now adoptions of children of First Nations ancestry to non First Nations homes are more rare. And those that do take place do so with a culture plan.
It's not perfect but it's a step in the right direction.
Would I do things differently for my sons if I were adopting them now? You bet. But I can't turn back the clock. And I did what I could with the resources and knowledge I had. We all need to do that.

Family Camp

I am hoping to plan an adoption family camp for families who have adopted children of First Nations/Metis ancestry. This camp will take place this winter sometime, likely on Quadra Island at a camp there. If anyone is interested in helping with any aspect of this camp I'd love to hear from you. I have no additional funds to help create a cultural component, but that's what would be great to create. So if anyone has suggestions I'd love to hear them.

multi-ethnic gathering

This Sunday (May 2nd) all multi-ethnic families are invited to a get together in Port Alberni hosted by Jeff and Jennifer Dudenhofer.
It's from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Glenwood centre and you need to bring along a snack to share, helmets for those who want to be active as well as bikes, roller blades, skate boards or whatever you and/or your kids would like to use in the centre.
If you'd like to come please rsvp to Jennifer at jdudenhofer@shaw.ca and she can give you more information.

family event this spring....

I would like to organize some kind of family event this spring for families who have adopted children of First Nations/Metis ancestry and who live here on Vancouver Island. This event could be in Victoria or somewhere in the central or north Island area. Anyone who'd like to help organize, or has suggestions for an activity, place etc please let me know. I can be reached by email at cgilbert@bcadoption.com
thanks

books

I was at a conference this week-end and there was a book stand full of First Nations/Aborginal reading resources. Their website is www.corelearningresources.com and Terri Mack is the Vancouver Island Representative. Her email is terrimack@shaw.ca and she is located in Nanaimo.
They have a great list of books for First Nations children. I would recommend checking out the great list they have and ordering some for your children.

Transracial Parenting Workshops come to Nanaimo

NANAIMO
Transracial Parenting Workshops

Workshop ONE



Saturday, Jan. 30th 2009
10am – 3:30 pm

Bowen Park Complex

Games Room 1
Nanaimo, BC



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Workshop ONE:



~Motivation to Adopt Transracially
~Family Identity / Family Stories
~ Celebrating Family Diversity ~Talking to Your Kids:
Ages and Stages
~ Being Your Child's Best Ally.



Register at: www.trp1nanaimo.eventbrite.com

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Workshop TWO



Saturday, Feb 27th 2009
10am – 3:30pm
Bowen Park Complex
Games Room 1
Nanaimo, BC
Workshop TWO:



~Frame of Reference
~Stereotypes
~Your Child’s Positive Racial Identity
~Dealing with Racism
~School Issues




Register at: www.trp2nanaimo.eventbrite.com