Traditional Native American Child Rearing

Practices

(503) 222-4044 ext.137debra@nicwa.org www.nicwa.org

Debra Clayton, MSWSt. Croix Chippewa

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NICWA is dedicated to the well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and families.

NICWA Mission

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NICWA Vision

• Study by: Carol Locust, PhD. Published in Pathways Practice Digest, January 1999.

• Split Feathers Syndrome: psychological, social, and emotional disability and distress related directly to expatriation (foster care & adoption) as children.

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Split Feathers Research: Adult American Indians who were placed with Non-Indian Families as Children

The issue of the adult Indian who was placed in a non-Indian home as a child had not been addressed.

Every child placed in a non-Indian home for foster care, or adoption was at great risk for long-term psychological damage as adults.

At risk statement comes from congressional hearings pursuant to ICWA.

Lack of sufficient data.

Importance of this study

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Summary of Findings

All but 1 (of 20) had moderate to severe psychological problems.

All 20 respondents indicated that they had difficulty with intimate relationships. Feeling alone, failed marriages, no close friends.

13 of 20 responses analyzed indicated that the respondents had abused alcohol and/or drugs.

ALL 20 said they knew they were different before they were elementary school age, all 20 experienced negative feelings because of being different.

All 20 felt they were average or above in intelligence, half had spent time in education remedial programs, 5 were labeled learning disabled, 2 were classified as slow learners. All of them had failed at least one grade.

5 of the 20 completed high school, 15 went on to military school, 3 were in correctional institutions, 4 married.

NONE of them described themselves as successes.

Issues faced by Split Feathers

Loss of Indian Identity Loss of family, culture, heritage, language, spiritual

beliefs, tribal affiliation, and tribal ceremonial experiences

Anguish from “growing up different” Having to experience discrimination from the

dominant culture based on their physical appearance

Cognitive differences, a term derived from the descriptions of “thinking differently,” “being different in my mind,” “not being able to learn like everyone else”

Why is Relative Placement Important?

To keep culture, traditions, and language from getting lost.

Children are confident and have an identity. Families feel connected, supported, and together.

They don’t feel torn or have missing links. Young children are taught traditional coping skills,

family roles, and community. Children are taught that healing and recovery are

possible.

Natural Protective Factors

AI/AN children are viewed as gifts from the Creator, children are cared for by a whole community (family, extended family, clans) versus just the parents doing all the work.

Elders are highly regarded and trusted to teach the young and be helpers in their care and raising.

Parents are supported and encouraged, and those who did not care for their children properly were ridiculed into compliance.

Cultural events such as naming ceremonies. Community gatherings, dances, spiritual events;

sweats, vision quests, canoe journey. Story telling as a teaching tool.

Psychological Parent Model

Extended Family Model

Permanency Planning Philosophy

The primary right and responsibility for child rearing lies with the parent and/or extended family.

Permanence can only be said to exist judged on the perception of the child.

The best permanent plan is for the Indian child to grow up in his/her own family, or extended family.

Parents with substance abuse problems have the right to services that recognize addiction as a disease, to have a relationship with their child despite their disease, and to receive treatment that will enable them to be a permanent resource for their child.

Identifiable case plans that state goals and how those goals are to be achieved, subject to review, are essential for permanence.

All My Relations: Impacts of the Indian Child Welfare Act of Foster Parenting

(Video Viewing: 45 minutes)

By: WA State DSHS

Group Discussion:

15 minutes

ALL My Relations Video

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To learn more, visit

www.nicwa.org or call

(503) 222-4044Debra Clayton, MSW

debra@nicwa.org

For More Information

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National Indian Child Welfare Association

www.nicwa.org

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