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Tuesday, May 28, 2013
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Approximately half the children currently in foster care in BC who are waiting to be adopted are of Aboriginal origin. During the 1950s and 1960s, many Aboriginal children were adopted by caucasian families. Though in some cases the adoptions were successful, in many they were not.
It is now generally accepted that Aboriginal children do better when living with families that share their heritage. The BC Ministry of Children and Family Development aims to place as many Aboriginal children as possible with Aboriginal families. Eventually, they will move to a system where Aboriginal adoptions are handled by an independant Aboriginal government agency.
There are some children with Aboriginal heritage who, for a variety of reasons, can be placed with non-Aboriginal parents. When this happens, the child's new family must agree to sign and commit to a "Cultural Plan," which outlines how the family (with support from a local Aboriginal band) will build and maintain a child's link to his or her culture and heritage.
Check the AFA BC website at http://www.bcadopt.com/ for articles on adoption and for workshops on transracial parenting and cross-cultural adoption.
What's it For?
This blog is to share stories, knowledge and resources with other families parenting children of Aboriginal heritage. It's primary goal is to provide support and information for those parents who are non-Aboriginal, however others may find it useful and are welcome to read and add to this site.
Aboriginal Adoption in BC
Approximately half the children currently in foster care in BC who are waiting to be adopted are of Aboriginal origin. During the 1950s and 1960s, many Aboriginal children were adopted by caucasian families. Though in some cases the adoptions were successful, in many they were not.
It is now generally accepted that Aboriginal children do better when living with families that share their heritage. The BC Ministry of Children and Family Development aims to place as many Aboriginal children as possible with Aboriginal families. Eventually, they will move to a system where Aboriginal adoptions are handled by an independant Aboriginal government agency.
There are some children with Aboriginal heritage who, for a variety of reasons, can be placed with non-Aboriginal parents. When this happens, the child's new family must agree to sign and commit to a "Cultural Plan," which outlines how the family (with support from a local Aboriginal band) will build and maintain a child's link to his or her culture and heritage.
Check the AFA BC website at http://www.bcadopt.com/ for articles on adoption and for workshops on transracial parenting and cross-cultural adoption.
Books for Kids
- Carry Me Mama by Monica Devine
- Solomons Tree by Andrea Spalding
- A Salmon for Simon by Betty Waterton
- A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch
About Me
- Cathy Gilbert
- I am the Adoption Support Coordinator for the south/central Vancouver Island from Parksville south to Victoria. I am also an adoptive and birth parent.