Inclusive foster care: How foster parents support cultural and relational connections for Indigenous children

Abstract

How do foster parents support the relational and cultural connections of Indigenous children in care? The answer matters; the well‐being of Indigenous children depends on these connections. At one of Canada's largest Indigenous child welfare agencies, we implemented inclusive foster care, an approach requiring foster parents to engage with the family, community, and cultural life of the child for whom they care. Fifteen years later, we present findings from a thematic analysis of interviews with 13 foster parents who participated in a mixed methods study exploring inclusive foster care. We discuss foster parent strategies to support the child's family relationships: setting clear boundaries, rolling with inconsistency, and understanding the family's (hi)stories. Strategies to strengthen cultural connectedness include visiting traditional territory, using personal initiative and Indigenous knowledge, and engaging in school‐based and “multi‐purpose” cultural opportunities. Drawing on foster parent stories of success, we propose ways for social workers, foster parents, and policymakers to address the cultural and relational disruption that characterizes the experience of Indigenous children in care in colonial settler societies.

Aspects of Wellbeing for Indigenous Youth in CANZUS Countries: A Systematic Review

“…Forty-two articles [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ], from 38 unique studies, reported on aspects of Indigenous youth wellbeing in Canada. Our thematic analysis identified eight aspects of wellbeing for this population: basic resources for survival; safety and stability; relationships with others; culture and spirituality; knowledge, opportunities, and the future; identity; resilience and independence; and recreation and interests.…”

“…The importance of having a safe and stable living environment is essential to achieving wellbeing for Indigenous youth in Canada [ 40 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 58 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 70 ]. A number of negative incursions undermine the attainment of this safe environment: colonisation and racism [ 40 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 58 , 60 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 81 ] effects include microaggressions, marginalisation, violence, suicide and substance abuse [ 45 , 47 , 49 , 53 ,…”

“…These connections can be disrupted by industry, pollution and experiences of upheaval, mobility and separation [ 63 , 64 , 66 ]. Colonising systems, such as child welfare, can alienate and disempower youth, separating them from vital connections with family, community and culture [ 41 , 55 , 56 , 68 , 71 , 80 ]. Indigenous youth are often cognisant of the damage that substance use, both their own and by their caregivers, has on their sense of safety, stability and wellbeing [ 45 , 46 , 49 , 67 , 70 , 74 ].…”

“…Relationships with others are central to the wellbeing of Indigenous youth in Canada, impacting their identity, resilience and outlook on life [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 68 , 79 , 80 , 81 ]. These relationships invoke a sense of belonging, tethering youth to their culture and identity [ 45 , 48 , 49 , 51 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 60 , 61 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 68 , 75 , 79 , 80 , 81 ] and are strengthened by engaging with traditional culture and lands [ 42 , …”

Attachment Theory: A Barrier for Indigenous Children Involved with Child Protection

“…The data do offer some indications that well-crafted, well supported structural relationships between foster carers and the child’s Indigenous culture can yield good outcomes. Research published in 2020 [ 69 ] from British Columbia shows what can be accomplished with highly committed partners, willing to stay in intense connection, working on the basis that connection will be continuous and not episodic. This work also indicates that a stronger connection of an Indigenous foster parent to their own culture also acts as a support for better outcomes.…”