Implications

During the 1960s, Indigenous children were removed from their families and communities in masses and adopted out to non-Indigenous families in a period which has become known as the ‘60’s Scoop’.  This has had devastating impacts to the health and well-being of Indigenous families and communities.¹ Since then, mainstream adoptions have become controversial and greater emphasis is being placed on kinship care and traditional forms of adoption to ensure that Indigenous children grow up in a familiar environment, connected to their culture, language and members of their family and clan. These approaches are more consistent with traditional Indigenous approaches to caregiving, where caregiving was seen as a communal responsibility.  There is strong evidence that when Indigenous peoples have sovereignty over their children and adequate resources, outcomes for children are better.

¹Blackstock, C. (2010). Supporting First Nations adoption. Submission to: Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Ottawa, ON: First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.