Grandparents Plus: Raising Native Children at Home

The Law on ICWA that was passed in 1978, the law sets requirements for what states must do when an American Indian kid comes into contact with the child welfare system. It says that Native American children should be placed with Native foster and adoptive families whenever possible, and before that, states need to make “active efforts” to keep Native children with their biological parents in the first place. Created to protect Native American families and preserve their heritage following centuries of policies aimed at forcibly assimilating Indian children into white culture, the law has become increasingly controversial as special interest groups have argued that it actually prioritizes the tribes over the best interests of the children it is meant to help.

Since the Indian Child Welfare Act was passed in 1978, between 25 and 35% of all Native children had been removed from their parents, according to research done by the Association on American Indian Affairs. And 85 to 95% of those children, Jacobs says, were living in non-Native homes.

Keeping Indian children in their communities can have both immediate and lasting effects. 

https://time.com/longform/native-american-adoptions/

Links:

• Time Magazine

Three Precious Miracles also provides natural supports to Native American children that are undergoing past and current trauma by embracing their cultural identity while healing through trauma.  We offer personalized embroidered blankets that’s designed to help Native American foster youth reclaim their identity, their culture, their pride, and their dignity. By having something that is theirs, represents their heritage, and reminds them of the culture. We have found that foster youth will feel better connected to their roots by having something tangible that represents who they are and where they came from. This amazing project supports Native American children stay connected culturally and respectfully.   TPM believes that every Native American child who is displaced deserves love, a sense of belonging and cultural engagement. Our vision is to have Native American foster youth reclaim their identity, their culture, their pride, and their dignity in order to become whole and strong leaders within the community. Through our values of RESPECT, ACCOUNTABILITY, CULTURE and COMMITMENT, we further our mission” to support the families of Native American children who are displaced so they can provide a loving, caring and culturally sensitive home.” 

Objectives and Progress Indicators

1. Improve overall sense of belonging. 

a. Pure positive outcome and sense of belonging once kiddos see, hold and embrace blanket. 

2. Increase knowledge related to culture and tribal affiliation. 

a. We have had 100% appreciation of cultural blanket. 

3. Connect with different tribes that have kids in foster care. 

a. Have connected with 10 tribes and 3 different states.  

Overall Impact 

Happiness and sense of belonging 

• IMG_3520.pdf (PDF)