Parents are 'needlessly' left in the dark

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The provincial government should do more to educate non-Native adoptive parents about aboriginal culture instead of trying to place children back in the Native community before it's ready to take them, says the head of an Edmonton non-Native adoptive group.

Fran Wolver, chairperson of a two-year-old support group, Families of Native Children, believes adoptive and foster parents are needlessly left in the dark about Native heritage when they take over custody of children from the province.

The province should do everything it can to educate non-Native parents about the children," she said.

"One line on the adoption order and a booklet (about treaty benefits) is not sufficient encouragement to the people, who want to meet the needs of their Native kids."

Wolver said there aren't yet enough Native families on, or off, reserves able and willing to permanently care for adoptive children.

"Until that day, the best possible alternative is that there be permanency with the non-Native family," she said.

More than 30 per cent of 2,400 children in the care of the province are Native.

Wolver said her group started a paid membership drive in November and doesn't know how many families belong to the organization.

Families of Native Children sponsors an event once a month focusing on Native culture.

Ann Scully, adoptions' supervisor with Alberta family and social services, said her department only offers details on the legalities of adopting Native children. But she noted there's a greater need to concentrate on placing Native children back in their own community.

She said it is up to adoptive parents to seek their own education about Native culture.

"I would do my best to find a home of similar background," said Scully.

"There are groups in the city (like Families of Native Children), which have been organized just to prepare adoptive parents, who wish to consider a Native child."