Adoption of an Indigenous Child or Youth

First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth in care must be supported to preserve, develop and maintain their cultural identity and connection to their extended families and communities.

Adoption planning requires consultation and cooperation with a child/youth’s Indigenous community(ies).

Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) supports Indigenous communities to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services, including adoption, aligning with the principles of self-determination and reconciliation.

Cultural Safety Agreement

When an Indigenous adoptive home cannot be found, non-Indigenous adoptive homes that support the child or youth through a Cultural Safety Agreement may be considered.

If adoption is the plan for an Indigenous child or youth in care, a Cultural Safety Agreement must be created and agreed upon by the child or youth’s Indigenous community, prospective adoptive parents, members of the child or youth’s family, and other important people. Everyone involved must commit to their responsibilities to support the child or youth’s cultural identity and growth. Ideally, the Indigenous community guides and leads the development of the Cultural Safety Agreement.

Prospective Adoptive Parents are expected to abide by the Agreement until the child/youth they adopt reaches adulthood.

All adoption plans for Indigenous children/youth to be adopted by non-Indigenous adoptive parents are reviewed by the Provincial Exceptions Committee and must be approved.