Adoptive Families of Aboriginal Children in B.C.

National Aboriginal Day in the Comox Valley

2011-06-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

National Aboriginal Day Celebration - June 21st

A day long celebration of First Nations Culture and Achievement. This free family friendly event is open to the whole Comox Valley!   Presented by Komoks First Nation, Kumugwe Cultural Society, I-Hos Gallery and Vancouver Island MusicFest   Celebrate the summer solstice along the beautiful shores of the Courtenay Estuary. Enjoy tasty local food like traditional Sockeye Salmon cooked on cedar sticks on an open fire. Clam Chowder, ...Buffalo Stwe, Bannock and crepes. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for the live music from 6-8. Keep in the mind the cool winds off the ocean and bring along a nice warm sweater!   Events Include: All Day - Guest Artist, George Littlechild at the I-Hos Gallery 2:30 - 3pm Free Jiggers Workshop for family and youth in the band hall by Lisa Shepherd 3-4 Kumugwe Dancers in Big House 4-5 Lisa Shepherd and dance troupe in the Big House 5- 5:30 Ray Peters and his Coast Salish dancers Tzinqua from Duncan 6-8 Vancouver Island Music Fest presents live music with Ed Peekeekoot and Janet Blythe Panic!  

To check out this event go to their website here

Upcoming Vancouver Workshop

2011-06-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

Check out or register for this upcoming workshop in Vancouver called Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting.
You can register at www.eventbrite.com

Keepers of the Children offers a unique perspective on parenting by using little known Native American concepts to show parents how to raise children to reach their true potential. By raising children to unfold the gifts within their hearts, parents more deeply touch their own. In this way, parenting is a path of mutual becoming—as the child grows, the parent is challenged to grow as well. This is a delightful perk of child stewardship.
In Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting, you will learn:
• How to encourage children's uniqueness and set them upon the path of purpose from the start.
• How to teach children to act from integrity and strength.
• The true meaning of discipline: How to teach children to make life-affirming choices on their own.
• How to use nature to teach children the basics of psychology so they will avoid the traps of peer pressure and those who intend to do them harm.
• All about child development and your development as a parent.
• How parenting is a path of personal growth for child and parent.
• How to create a lifelong, mutually fulfilling relationship with your child

June 23rd, 9:30 - 3:30 pm

June 24th, 9:30 - 3:30 Lunch Included both days

Laura Ramirez is the mother of two boys and the wife of a Native American man. In raising her children to embrace the fullness of their heritage, she has created a way of parenting that combines the most resourceful aspects of two worlds. Ms. Ramirez has a degree in psychology, has written numerous articles on raising children and is the publisher of Family Matters Parenting Magazine.

First Nations/Metis Adoption Family Camp

2011-03-06T20:37:00.000-08:00

Well, the First Nations/Metis family camp discussed in the last post on this blog has come and gone. It was small but awesome. Thanks to the families with children by adoption who came, and especially thanks to the First Nations people who came and supported us in this camp. They encouraged and inspired us and shared stories that we won't forget.
We hope to do it again sometime soon.

First Nations/Metis Family Camp

2011-01-29T21:12:00.000-08:00

There will be a family camp for families with children of First Nations/Metis heritage to be held this coming March 4th to 6th on Quadra Island. If you are family who'd like to come, or a person of First Nations heritage who'd like to volunteer please contact me at cgilbert@bcadoption.com or at 1-866-334-3873.
It is likely that the camp will fill quickly, so let me know as soon as you know and we can complete the registration process.
thank you

things have changed

2010-06-19T22:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-27T23:15:00.000-07:00

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....

2010-04-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

NANAIMO
Transracial Parenting Workshops

Workshop ONE

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

Bowen Park Complex

Games Room 1
Nanaimo, BC

………………………………………………..
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

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

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

times have changed

2009-11-29T21:10:00.000-08:00

When my two sons of First Nations ancestry were adopted there were no culture plans as there are now. With both of them, there was a discussion of the fact that they had a different heritage, and that we should work at ways to include this in our parenting and our lives. Their Aboriginal community sent a letter saying that they couldn't offer anything in terms of resources, but that they did support the adoptions. Things are different now. Not just in regards to culture plans, but in all adoptions done in our province. When we first applied to adopt there was no "Adoption Education Program" as there is today. Most learning accomplished by adoptive parents was done on their own time, and was self directed. Whether your child was a newborn, or was 12, you received essentially the same preparation, and this also applied whether your child was caucasion, First Nations or had any other ancestry.
It's good that times have changed.
I have learned a lot in the time I've been parenting. Like lots of parents, some days I wish I could go back and do it again knowing what I know now. But I can't. We can all learn from the mistakes of the past. Having the requirement to have a culture plan for children joining a family with a different heritage is a good thing.

Culture Plans Part 1

2009-10-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

Culture plans are created for children of Aboriginal ancestry placed for adoption to ensure that the child's cultural identity is preserved. A sample Culture Plan can be found in the Practice Standards for Adoption which can be viewed (or printed) from the MCFD website. Culture plans involve the child's Aboriginal community, and the adoptive parents in developing a way in which this will happen. The culture plan may include information about the Aboriginal community and it's: traditional foods, language, cultural ceremonies, family memberships and genealogy and teachings.
The adoptive family must be willing to partner with the Aboriginal community and commit to following through on whatever has been agreed upon will be the best ways to preserve the child's cultural identity. This may include spending time in the child's community, having contact with Elders or others, and learning as much as they can about the child's cultural identity and ancestry.
There are a range of ways that this can be accomplished. A variety of factors may impact on the planning and implementation such as safety issues and geographic location of the Aboriginal community.
Bottom line is that the culture plan is a very important piece of the child's life. It is a document that threads them to their past, and to their future. Their ancestry is part of who they are. They need to know where they came from. If a child has never had that connection, then there is no time like the present to build it. If they've already had it, then it must be maintained and grown.

Transracial Parenting Workshop comes to Victoria

2009-09-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

You are invited to the following event:
Building Skills for Transracial Parenting Workshop ONE-VICTORIA January 16 2010

Date:
Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM (PT)

Location:
Quality Inn - Victoria
850 Blanshard Street
Victoria, V8W 2H2
Canada

$55 AFA BC member, $65 non-member
check out the AFA BC website to register online with eventbrite

Stó:lõ Nation Embrace Adoptive Family

2009-09-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

Stó:lõ Nation Embrace Adoptive Family

by Siobhan Rowe

I was fortunate to attend a wonderful event in May. AFABC members and adoptive parents Jacqueline and Steve Janssen of the Peace River area, and their nine children, attended a ceremony at the Stó:lõ Nation in Chilliwack. Jacqueline and Steve were about to adopt an 18-month-old baby, the youngest sibling of three of their children. All three children are Stó:lõ.

The Janssens were invited by the Stó:lõ Elders Advisory Council. The Council is usually the first step in child welfare issues involving Stó:lõ children. Once the elders became aware that the baby was Stó:lõ, and that three of his siblings had already joined the Janssen family, they became involved in deciding on the best plan for the little boy. After careful consideration, they decided that he should join his siblings. This decision was significant and could be precedent setting — as one of the elders said, “We do not ever allow children out of our territory if we have control of that.”

The elders invited the family to an honouring ceremony. This event was just as important as the formal decision around the adoption.

In a relaxed atmosphere the elders met with, and spoke to, all the Janssen family, including Steve’s mother, the children and her husband. They spoke about their nation, its history, and their experience as parents. This was not a meeting where people spoke loudly, argued, made speeches or produced a strategic plan; yet, much was achieved. Everyone was welcome to contribute, and out of this coming together it was clear that a bond between the family and the Stó:lõ had been formed. Steve told the elders that he believed that his family had entered into a covenant with the Stó:lõ to raise these children respecting and embracing Stó:lõ traditions and culture. He said that he hoped that on this day he had, in some way, become part of the Nation. The elders nodded in agreement. That moment seemed to cement the understanding between the elders and the Janssens. The elders then honoured the family and the baby’s foster mom with a blanketing ceremony, which represents the embrace of the entire Stó:lõ Nation.

Participants also enjoyed a tour of Stó:lõ premises, including a fascinating display of Stó:lõ history and cultural artifacts. The morning was rounded off by lunch and traditional Stó:lõ songs and music.

Parents Honoured

by Jacqueline Janssen

Though I have First Nations’ heritage, I was adopted into a non-aboriginal home and was never involved in any cultural events.

When we entered a large room filled with the smiling faces of the Elders Advisory Council we immediately felt welcome. They showed great interest in our family.

Each of our children was given an opportunity to speak. The only child who remained silent was the one that most identifies her self as First Nations. Thankfully, as she became more comfortable in the welcoming atmosphere of the room, she was able to speak. She said she was happy to be there, that she is happy in our family and why she needed to be adopted. It was so brave of her.

We felt very honoured by the blanketing ceremony and the songs and prayers of blessing. We were given beautiful books on Stó:lõ history and culture, and we presented the elders with a book about our home, the Peace River Region.
Six of our 10 children are adopted, and we have a wonderful multi-cultural family. With each adoption we have signed a cultural plan and, though we have taken them all seriously, this time it was different. When you look into the eyes of the people of the Stó:lõ and say, “I promise,” it’s a powerful thing. Especially when those eyes looking back at you are saying, “Please, don’t disappoint us: our children are our future. We have lost so many already; we entrust these four to you.”

As my husband said, we are now in a covenant with the Stó:lõ Nation. We take this seriously and, in a time when words can be worth little, our intention is to do the best that we can to honour our children’s roots. We feel supported by the Stó:lõ elders in doing this.

After we left, we all talked about the day and the entire family was deeply impacted.

I honour the Stó:lõ for opening their hearts and giving us the chance to care for these precious children.

reprinted from AFA BC magazine

Custom Adoption

2009-09-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

From the BC MCFD Adoption site:

Custom Adoption Fact Sheet

Introduction

Custom adoption is an open process that has been recognised in British Columbia's Adoption Act. The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) supports the desire of First Nations and Aboriginal Communities to ensure Aboriginal children in care are raised with Aboriginal families whenever possible keeping them connected with their extended family and community.

Custom adoption provides greater choice when considering permanency options for Aboriginal children in continuing care. It enables Aboriginal families, organizations and communities to use a culturally appropriate way of sharing in the permanency planning for Aboriginal children.

What is custom adoption?

Custom adoption is a term that is recognised as meaning the cultural practices of Aboriginal peoples to raise a child, by a person who is not the child's parent, according to the custom of the First Nations and/or Aboriginal community of the child.
Custom adoption is an extension of custom care (which provides temporary or alternate care for Aboriginal children whose parents are not able to care for them) and ensures Aboriginal children maintain their cultural, linguistic and spiritual identity.

Custom adoption facts:

Custom adoption is an open process that involves many people in a child's life, including birth parents, extended family, the Aboriginal community and those with a significant relationship to the child.
Custom adoption has the same effect of an adoption order under the Adoption Act when the court makes this declaration pursuant to an application under section 46 of the Adoption Act.
Custom adoption is a permanency option that can be explored with birth parents voluntarily planning adoption under the Adoption Act.
Custom adoption of a child in continuing custody proceeds when custody of the child is transferred to prospective adoptive parents, under section 54.1 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA), if eligibility criteria are met.
Financial assistance may be available to eligible families who have had custody of a child transferred to them under section 54.1 of the CFCSA.
An adoption order under the Adoption Act, or the recognition of a custom adoption by a court does not affect any rights a child may have as an Aboriginal person.
The court has identified criteria that must be met before it will declare that a custom adoption has occurred.
Prospective adoptive parents of a child placed for adoption by birth parents, or guardians of a child whose custody is transferred from the director under section 54.1 CFCSA, work directly with the Band, First Nations or Aboriginal communities to meet the requirements of the court.
Legal advice/assistance:

It is suggested prospective adoptive parents and person(s) with custody of a child(ren) retain a lawyer to help them in their application to have a custom adoption recognized. It is the responsibility of the court to provide guidance about what criteria is required by the court to person(s) making application to the court to have a custom adoption recognized under section 46 of the Adoption Act.

What criteria does the court require?

The court has identified factors to consider when it is being asked to declare, under section 46 of the Adoption Act, that a custom adoption has occurred. Based on what the court has identified the "Practice Standards and Guidelines for Adoption" lists possible criteria that could be expected by the court.

Possible criteria include:

consent of the birth and adopting parent(s);
child has been voluntarily placed with the adopting parent(s);
adopting parent(s) are indeed native or entitled to rely on native custom;
rationale for native custom adoptions is present; and,
the relationship created by custom must be understood to create fundamentally the same relationship as that resulting from an adoption order under Part 3 of the Adoption Act.

How does the court determine the cultural practices of a First Nation or Aboriginal community?

First Nations and Aboriginal communities outline their own cultural practice of Aboriginal peoples raising a child by a person who is not the child's parent.

Status under the Indian Act, trust funds and inheritance:

If there are questions or concerns about a person's status under the Indian Act, trust funds and/or inheritance, contact:

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
British Columbia Region
1138 Melville Street
PO Box: Suite 600
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 4S3

http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

For further information about custom adoption of a child in continuing care, contact:

The Deputy Director of Adoption in your region ~ call Inquiry BC @ 1-800-663-7867 for regional contact information.

Although ministry-arranged adoption, transfer of custody and custom adoption (when recognised by the court under section 46 of the Adoption Act) look very similar in many respects, they are separate legal processes that have significant differences.

People Colours

2009-09-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

Have you ever asked your child to make a picture of themselves only to discover that the crayons don't reflect what their actual skin colour is? Nothing like a "flesh" toned crayon that isn't your child's actual flesh tone. When I worked in daycare and preschool we found a great resource for both multi-ethnic/multi-cultural dolls, and people coloured crayons. I'm sure there are other places you can find these but here is one. It's called Wintergreen Learning Materials and you can find them at Wintergreen.ca (or probably you'll find it if you just google Wintergreen Learning Materials if I have part of that address wrong). You can buy sets of jumbo crayons suitable for toddlers, or regular crayons in a rich variety of people colours, and reasonably enough, that's what they are called "People Colors" in their catalogue. You can order online, call it in, or print out an order form and fax it in. The dolls can be bought individually or as a set and they have different kinds suitable for different ages (soft, cuddly ones, or hard plastic ones).
I find that these kinds of resources are typically not available for your child at school or daycare so you could offer to provide some if they don't have any already (or perhaps they will order some if you suggest it). It's great for kids to see themselves reflected in things around them; be it toys, art supplies and posters for the walls (although these can be harder to find). Any suggestions for Aboriginal resources - please feel free to share!

Cross-Cultural and Transracial Parenting Workshops

2009-09-11T11:45:00.001-07:00

If you are thinking of adopting an Aboriginal child, or have done so already, the Adoptive Families Association workshops on Transracial or Cross-Cultural Adoption may be helpful to you. Here's some info on upcoming workshops:

Cross-Cultural Adoption
If you are planning to adopt a child of different race or culture, locally or internationally, with an Agency or MCFD, this workshop is for you.
Burnaby: Sept 12 ~ Oct 24 ~ Dec 5
Time: 9am to 4pm
Cost Per Person : $75 AFABC Members / $85 Non-members

Transracial Parenting
If you are parenting a child of different race/culture or you are considering transracial adoption, these Saturday workshops are just for you. Series of 2 workshops can be taken individually or together, in/out of order. “Colourful Lives” Video is featured.

Burnaby: Workshops: ONE: Oct 17/TWO: Nov 28
Time: 9am to 3pm
Abbotsford: Workshops: ONE: Oct 10/TWO: Nov 21
Time: 10am to 4pm
Kamloops: Workshops: ONE: Sept 12/TWO: Oct 3
Time: 10am to 4pm
Victoria: Workshops: ONE: TBA /TWO: TBA
Time: 10am to 4pm

Cost Per Person / Per Workshop:
$55 AFABC Members / $65 Non-members

To register for these go to the AFA BC website at www.bcadopt.com

The Aboriginal Infant Development Programs of BC

2009-09-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

The Aboriginal Infant Development Programs of BC offer support to families parenting children under three who are of Aboriginal ancestry. Some programs include children to age six. The head office for the program is located in Victoria: www.aidp.bc.ca is the website; the phone number is 250-388-5593. Their website has a list of Aboriginal Infant Development Programs, or you can call and one of the staff will help you to find out if there is a program in your area. Depending on the program where you live, the AIDP consultant(s) may offer:
Home visits, playgroups, parent education opportunities, parent support groups, parent to parent connections,assist the family in planning activities that will encourage the optimum development of their child,resource library of books and toys that is available on loan to families,screening and assessment that is culturally sensitive and meaningful.
Parents do not have to be Aboriginal to access the program (although the child does), and it is offered on and off-reserve where such programs exist. Families can self refer, and the Aboriginal Infant Development Program is family centred as well as accessible and flexible.

The AIDP Policy and Procedure Manual states that the criteria for eligibility for the program is as follows:

Aboriginal Infant Development Programs will accept children onto an active caseload and will provide regular home visits, and other specified services if the following criteria for eligibility are met:
• infant is birth to three years old (or up to 5 years of age in some programs)
• infant is delayed in one or more skill areas or infant is at risk for developmental delay
• family is in need of support or education to enhance parenting skills and capacity
• family agrees to participate
• AIDP is the most appropriate service available
• family lives within the geographic boundaries or catchment area of the program for regular home visits (exceptions may be made in certain circumstances)

For more information give them a call or look at their website. They are another great resource for families.

Big Sisters

2009-09-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Resources, resources. Today's resource is: The Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. They can be reached at 604-873-4525 and extension 300 is where you can reach the friendly Jordana who told me about some of their programs.

Their website www.bigsisters.bc.ca has lots of details about becoming a Big Sister, and also about Little Sisters. It was news to me that to be a Little Sister, the family does not have to be headed by a single parent. Little Sisters may be able to be matched with a Sister of similar heritage, but this is not always possible. However, there are First Nations activities for Big and Little Sisters that they can participate in.

Their website states:
Big Sisters' Initiatives

The First Nations Initiative celebrates First Nations culture and encourages awareness, understanding and appreciation of our First Nations culture amonst our Big & Little Sisters. Past First Nations activities have included: bannock making, canoeing, First Nations role model panels, workshops on how to make medicine pouches and mini button blankets, and drumming circles. We also welcome First Nations women to become mentors in our Big & Little Sister Program or our Study Buddy Program.

to become a Big Sister, or to ask about your child becoming a Little Sister, you can email them at: info@bigsisters.bc.ca

First Post

2009-09-08T21:15:00.000-07:00

This is the first post of this blog. I am hoping this site will be an opportunity for those of us who are parenting, or will in the future be parenting children of aboriginal ancestry and do not share that same ancestry with our child or children. While the primary focus will be for those who are non-aboriginal parents, there may also be parents who are aboriginal but not from the same community as their children and who may need information and support for some of the same reasons.
So if you are a parent, a member or resource of an aboriginal community, and would like to be involved in this blog please let me know. There's a question section off to the right of this post, and you can also leave a comment with contact information.
Hay ch qu