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The Silent Minority - A Deeper Look Into Foster Care

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Education is important, and so is making sure every child receives an equal education. We as a society do our best to improve conditions for groups that disproportionately struggle like Latinos or African Americans. However the group that struggles the most is often left out of this effort. The fost…

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Prevention of Instability in Foster Care A Case File Review Study

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Supporting Resilience in Foster Families

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Raw statistics about the total count of foster families in canada and the foster childrens age groups

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Taken into foster care, through the eyes of a child

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Where Your Donations Go

Annual post-secondary bursaries, scholarships and grants

These private bursary funds are donated to the BCFPA largely as bequests and legacy gifts by major donors. Our bursaries are available to foster parents' children to assist with the costs of pursuing post-secondary education.

Camps for Kids Bursaries

These funds are raised at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Funding helps us send children who live in the home of a foster family to a summer camp of their choice, where they can participate in sports and explore art, science, music, theatre, photography, technology and more! This is a great way for kids to build self-esteem and discover their talent and potential. Camps for Kids bursaries have enabled many children with increased and complex needs to enjoy summer activities with others who share their challenges.

Education and Training Workshops for Foster Parents

Workshops are funded by donations from community groups or foundations, as well as contributions from the MCFD. Training workshops are generally offered at BCFPA's Annual General Meeting and Conference. We are currently seeking to increase funding to offer additional training through our Solutions Program.

Recognition awards for foster community members

This is a new funding category to recognize the excellent work of foster parents and their contributions to the community.

Solutions Program (support and advocacy for foster parents)

Additional program funding is necessary to reimburse volunteers who may need to travel in order to provide direct support to their peer foster parents in other communities. These funds may also be used for community outreach purposes for the Solutions Program to strengthen partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

General program service

This funding is for general operating efforts and new initiatives to sustain and expand the scope of the organization's programs, which serve and provide valuable support to foster families.

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BC Foster Parents Association - Another branch of your family tree.

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Annual post-secondary bursaries, scholarships and grants These private bursary funds are donated to the BCFPA largely as bequests and legacy gifts by major donors. Our bursaries are available to foster parents' children to assist with the costs of pursuing post-secondary education. Camps for Kids Bursaries These funds are raised at our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

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Fostering involves providing a positive support network for children and families, based on mutual respect. Nurturing and caring people are recruited to provide temporary homes for children who cannot live in their own homes. Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (FVACFSS) develop resources and environments for children in care and their families who need support, guidance and encouragement. Throughout these services, we offer orientation and ongoing training for foster parents.

As a foster parent, you are part of a team with the common goal of returning children home. You are a valuable team member, and you can always ask for help if you have concerns or require further information. Remember you are not alone!

We are always looking for people to help foster care, please contact the Residential Resources team if you are interested in this rewarding experience. There are several other support services available in British Columbia, including:

The BC Federation of Foster Parent Associations (BCFFPA) is a provincial organization run by foster parents. It supports foster families in their work as caregivers and advocates quality service for children in care.

The BCFFPA has about 70 local associations across British Columbia. They provide education and training, organize social activities for foster families, support them with 'buddy systems' and self-help groups, and work in partnership with ministry staff on special programs or projects. The BCFFPA operates the Fosterline 1 800 663-9999.

The Representative for Children and Youth supports children, youth and families who need help dealing with the child welfare system, and advocates for changes to the system itself. If a foster parent is concerned that a child or youth may have a need or issue that is not adequately being addressed, the representative may have a role. For more information visit their website or call 1 800 476-3933.

The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia, Children and Youth Services, upholds legal and financial rights of children under the age of 19 by ensuring adequate legal representation and also by holding and administering funds intrust for children and youth.

The Ombudsperson of BC receives inquiries and complaints about the practices and services provided by public agencies. While not an advocate, the Ombudsperson can conduct impartial and confidential investigations to determine if a public agency is being fair to the people it serves.

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Fostering involves providing a positive support network for children and families, based on mutual respect. Nurturing and caring people are recruited to provide temporary homes for children who cannot live in their own homes. Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (FVACFSS) develop resources and environments for children in care and their families who need support, guidance and encouragement.

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I think that it is specific to Australia

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Foster care is provided to children and young people who are unable to live with their own families. Foster carers support families by caring for children while parents get help to change.

For a period of time, foster carers take on the responsibilities of a parent to provide a safe, nurturing and secure family environment for children and young people needing care.

Foster carers are often in contact with the parents of the child or young person in their care. They also get involved in the decisions and planning for the child's care along with family and other important people in the child or young person's life.

We also need people to be parents forever for a child through guardianship or open adoption but foster carers are people willing to provide short-term and emergency care for children.

By working together, we can give every child and young person a safe, loving and permanent home in which they can thrive.

Aboriginal children

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who come into out-of-home care must be placed according to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child and Young Person Placement Principles.

Watch: We need more carers like you

You don't have to be a superhero or a social worker to change a child or young persons life. You just need a big heart and a genuine desire to make a difference. Read more about how to become a foster carer or send an enquiry via our online form.

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Foster care is provided to children and young people who are unable to live with their own families. Foster carers support families by caring for children while parents get help to change. For a period of time, foster carers take on the responsibilities of a parent to provide a safe, nurturing and secure family environment for children and young people needing care.

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‘Do you remember me?’ Former foster child pleads to B.C. ministry to be a better parent to kids aging out of care

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Former foster chid Jade Ryan, 21, struggled while in care, but has faced even harder times trying to survive on her own during a pandemic.

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NEW BLOG POST: AGING OUT OF CARE SERIES PART 2, BUILDING TRUST & BELONGING

VIEW IT NOW

We provide family-based foster care for children and youth in our communities through our Village model. This includes support to caregivers, youth, and kids through residential services, program and support services, and wraparound care.

We believe in keeping siblings together and in family strengthening, creating a sense of community and belonging, and in educating and empowering children to become contributing members of society.
COVID-19 UPDATE: The coronavirus crisis continues to be monitored by all teams at SOS Children's Village BC. At this time, it's important that we reflect on the importance of our families and our communities. In order for us to continue responding to our families, children, and youth, we're working around the clock to ensure they're receiving the help they need during this pandemic. Our Village does not only mean a community of support for those who live on site, we also support our staff and their families by continuing a full-time work schedule. We believe in our communities and this is just one of the ways we hope to keep them strong and together.

SOS Children's Village BC supports families and vulnerable kids because we believe every child should grow with love, respect, and security.

The statistics show that we as a society are failing our families and our children.
SOS BC's community of belonging in Metro Vancouver meets the needs of at-risk youth who are the key to our future.

8,900

In British Columbia there are over 8,900 children who do not live with their biological parents

45%

Of youth in care, only 45% will graduate within 2 years of expected graduation date; at our Village we have a 100% graduation rate

66%

In British Columbia 66% of children in care are Indigenous, but only 10% of the general child population is Indigenous

7

A child in foster care in Canada faces the following hardships on average: they will move 7 homes (7 families, 7 schools, 7 neighbourhoods, 7...)

DONOR FUNDED MODEL OF CARE

We receive only 12% of our funding from government sources (BC Delegated Agency contract & BC Gaming grant), and raise 88% through donations, grants, and thrift store purchases from caring individuals like you.
ABOUT US

OUR IMPACT: NEWSLETTER

Read our quarterly newsletter for updates on how your money is transforming the lives of foster children and youth, the latest happenings at the Village, notification of upcoming events, and features on our donors.
READ MORE

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE THRIFT STORE FOUNDATION

Visit the shop of our sister organization in the Steveston neighbourhood of Richmond. Find unique treasures while you shop to support SOS BC. You can donate clothes and other items too!
VISIT WEBSITE

"Saving one kid will make a difference to everyone they will ever meet in their life. That's pretty amazing when you think about it."
-Magellan Law Group LLP, SOS BC Corporate Partner

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SOS Children's Village BC | A loving home for every child

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NEW BLOG POST: AGING OUT OF CARE SERIES PART 2, BUILDING TRUST & BELONGING VIEW IT NOW We provide family-based foster care for children and youth in our communities through our Village model. This includes support to caregivers, youth, and kids through residential services, program and support services, and wraparound care.

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Child Protection and Child Outcomes: Measuring the Effects of Foster Care

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Child Protection and Child Outcomes: Measuring the Effects of Foster Care

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by Annie Turner

On this page

Start of text box

Overview of the study

End of text box

Introduction

Family structure and the circumstances in which children grow up can have a significant influence on children's development and well-being. There is, however, very limited research on the specific living arrangements of Aboriginal children.

This study uses data from the 2011 NHS (see Data sources, methods and definitions) to provide an in-depth portrait of the living arrangements of Aboriginal children aged 14 and under in Canada.Note 3 More specifically, the living arrangements of Aboriginal children in each of the Aboriginal groups (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) will be presented.Note 4 In some cases, differences between age groups (0 to 4, 5 to 9 and 10 to 14 years) and differences between geographic regions will also be discussed. Furthermore, some results for First Nations children with registered Indian status living on and off reserve and for Inuit children living inside and outside Inuit Nunangat will be shown.Note 5 This study will also focus on the Aboriginal identity of the adult(s) living with Aboriginal children, which is especially important for Aboriginal foster children.

Overview of living arrangements of Aboriginal children aged 14 and under in Canada

The Aboriginal population in Canada is younger than the non-Aboriginal population. According to the 2011 NHS, there were 392,100 Aboriginal children aged 14 and under in Canada, representing 28% of the total Aboriginal population. In comparison, non-Aboriginal children in the same age group represented 17% of the total non-Aboriginal population. The Inuit population was youngest, with children aged 14 and under representing one-third (34%) of that population, compared with 30% for First Nations people and 23% for Métis. Among Aboriginal children aged 14 and under in Canada, two-thirds (66%) identified as First Nations, 27% as Métis and 5% as Inuit.Note 8

Living arrangements

Aboriginal identity

Total Aboriginal children

First Nations children

Inuit children

Métis children

Total non-Aboriginal children

thousand

percent

thousand

percent

thousand

percent

thousand

percent

thousand

percent

Total population aged 14 and under in private households
392.1 100.0 258.8 100.0 20.2 100.0 104.4 100.0 5,200.7 100.0

Children of both parentsNote 1

194.6

49.6

116.4

45.0

12.4

61.6

60.6

58.0

3,953.9

76.0

Children living with other relatives
Note 2, Note 3

4.5

1.2

3.7

1.4

0.2

1.1

0.5

0.5

11.1

0.2

The proportion of Aboriginal children living with a lone parent (34%) was higher than for non-Aboriginal children (17%). Aboriginal children were also more likely than their non-Aboriginal counterparts to be stepchildren (9% versus 6%), foster children (3.6% versus 0.3%), and to live with grandparents in a skip-generation household (2.7% versus 0.4%). Finally, a little over 1% of Aboriginal children aged 14 and under lived with other relatives in arrangements that did not include at least one parent or grandparent. These relatives could be extended family such as aunts, uncles or cousins. This was the case for 0.2% of non-Aboriginal children of the same age group.

Aboriginal children more likely than non-Aboriginal children to live with parents who are in a common-law relationship

There is diversity between the types of unions that exist among two-parent families. Among Aboriginal children living with both of their biological or adoptive parents, almost two-thirds (65%) lived with married parents. Just over one-third (35%) of Aboriginal children living with two parents lived with common-law parents, which was more than double the proportion among non-Aboriginal children (16%). Among the Aboriginal groups, common-law unions were most common among the parents of Inuit (47%) and First Nations children (41%). For Métis children, 23% were living with parents in a common-law union.

Irrespective of the province or territory where they live, Aboriginal children were more likely than non-Aboriginal children to live with parents in a common-law union (Chart 1). Among those living in two-parent families, Aboriginal children in Quebec (52%), Saskatchewan (39%) and the territories (55% in the Northwest Territories, 50% in Nunavut and 43% in Yukon) were the most likely to live with parents in a common-law union. The difference between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children living with common-law parents was smaller between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in Quebec, where 44% of non-Aboriginal children in two-parent families were living with common-law parents.

Description for Chart 1

Aboriginal children

Non-Aboriginal children

Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

The proportion of children living with parents in a common-law union was higher among First Nations children with registered Indian status living on reserve (50%) than those living off reserve (40%). The proportion of Inuit children living with common-law parents was 51% within Inuit Nunangat. Outside Inuit Nunangat, a lower proportion of Inuit children lived with common-law parents (28%).

Aboriginal children more likely than non-Aboriginal children to live with a lone parent

Lone-parent families have been on the rise in Canada since the 1960s.Note 11 As indicated above, Aboriginal children are more likely than non-Aboriginal children to live with a lone parent. In 2011, 34% of Aboriginal children aged 14 and under were living with a lone parent compared with 17% of non-Aboriginal children.Note 12 The proportion was 37% for First Nations children, 30% for Métis children and 26% for Inuit children (Table 1). For First Nations children with registered Indian status, the proportion was 41% for those living off reserve and 36% for those living on reserve.Note 13

Among the age groups of children living with a lone parent, there were differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. More than one-third (35%) of Aboriginal children aged 0 to 4 lived in a lone-parent family (Chart 2), and this proportion was similar across age groups (34% for 5-to-9 year-olds and for 10-to-14 year-olds). Among non-Aboriginal children, the proportions were 13% for 0-to-4 year-olds, 18% for 5-to-9 year-olds and 21% for 10-to-14 year-olds.

Description for Chart 2

0 to 4 years old

5 to 9 years old

10 to 14 years old

Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

Furthermore, just over one-third (36%) of Aboriginal children under the age of 1 were living in a lone-parent family-the proportion was 10% for non-Aboriginal children. This shows that more Aboriginal children are living in a lone-parent family at a younger age (0-to-4 years-olds), whereas non-Aboriginal children are more likely to live in a lone-parent family when they are in the older age group (10-to-14 years-old). For both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children under the age of 1, the majority of those who were living with a lone parent lived with a female parent (88% in both cases).

Aboriginal children are twice as likely as non-Aboriginal children to live with a grandparent

In 2011, 2.7% of Aboriginal children aged 14 and under were living with at least one grandparent in a skip-generation household (without their parents present), compared with 0.4% of non-Aboriginal children (Table 2). This was the case for 3.3% of First Nations children, 2.3% of Inuit children and 1.4% of Métis children.

Aboriginal identity

Total Aboriginal children

First Nations children

Métis children

Inuit children

Non-Aboriginal children

percent

Total - Child in Census families
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Among First Nations children with registered Indian status living on reserve, 19% were living in a multigenerational household. The proportion was 7% for First Nations children with registered Indian status living off reserve, and 8% for First Nations children without registered Indian status living off reserve. Among Inuit children, 14% of those living in Inuit Nunangat were living in a multigenerational household, compared with 9% of those living outside Inuit Nunangat.

More than two-thirds (68%) of Aboriginal children living in a multigenerational household-with grandparent(s) and at least one parent present-lived with a lone parent and grandparents, compared with 30% of non-Aboriginal children who were in the same situation.Note 18 Multigenerational families among the Aboriginal population are thus more likely to be formed with single parents and grandparents, while for the non-Aboriginal population, it is more common to see two parent-grandparent households.

Aboriginal stepchildren more likely to live in a complex stepfamily

For the first time in 2011, the NHS collected data on stepfamilies. Stepfamilies can be classified as either simple or complex. In a simple stepfamily, all children are biological or adopted children of one and only one married spouse or common-law partner. A complex stepfamily consists of any of one the following:

families in which there is at least one child of both parents and at least one child of one parent

families in which there is at least one child of each parent and no children of both parents

families in which there is at least one child of both parents and at least one child of each parent.

About 9% (33,400) of all Aboriginal children aged 14 and under in 2011 were stepchildren, while the share for non-Aboriginal children was lower at 6%. More than one-half (55%) of Aboriginal stepchildren lived in a complex stepfamily, compared with 47% of non-Aboriginal stepchildren (Table 3). More precisely, 39% of Aboriginal stepchildren were living in a family with a child or children of each parent and no children of both parents-also the most common scenario among non-Aboriginal stepchildren. A little over 10% of Aboriginal stepchildren were living in a family with a child or children of both parents and a child or children of one parent only. Finally, 6% of Aboriginal stepchildren were living in a family with a child or children of both parents and a child or children of each parent.

Aboriginal identity

Total - Aboriginal children

First Nations children

Métis children

Inuit childrenNote 1

Non-Aboriginal children

percent

Total stepchildren
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Aboriginal children live in larger families than non-Aboriginal children

Fertility among the Aboriginal population is higher than among the non-Aboriginal population,Note 19 translating into larger families. In 2011, about 17% of Aboriginal children aged 14 and under lived in a family with four or more children in the same age group compared with 7% of non-Aboriginal children (Table 4). This varied by Aboriginal group with 20% of both First Nations and Inuit children, and 8% of Métis children living in a family with four or more children.

Aboriginal identity

Total Aboriginal children

First Nations children

Métis children

Inuit children

Non-Aboriginal children

percent

Total children in census families
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

In all types of families, Aboriginal children were more likely than non-Aboriginal children to live in a larger family. For example, 15% of Aboriginal children who lived in a lone-parent family lived in a family with four or more children, compared with 4% of non-Aboriginal children in the same living arrangement (Chart 3). There were also differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children living in a skip-generation family-with grandparent(s) and no parents present-where 13% of Aboriginal children lived in a family with four or more children, compared with 2% of non-Aboriginal children.

Description for Chart 3

Aboriginal children

Non-Aboriginal children

Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

Almost one-half of all foster children aged 14 and under are Aboriginal

In Canada, there is no centralized child welfare system. There are over 300 provincial and territorial child welfare agencies that operate under the jurisdiction of the 13 provinces and territories. Furthermore, over 100 agencies deliver services specifically to First Nations, Métis and urban Aboriginal children.Note 20 The importance of placing Aboriginal children with families who identify culturally with the child has been identified as a consideration in placement decision making.Note 21 In addition to this, a key recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was that adequate resources be made available to Aboriginal communities and child-welfare organizations to keep Aboriginal families together when safe to do so, and to keep children in culturally appropriate environments.Note 22

For the first time, in 2011, Statistics Canada collected information about whether or not a child in a household was a foster child. The data show that, in 2011, there were 14,200 Aboriginal childrenNote 23 aged 14 and under who were foster childrenNote 24 in Canada (for more information about older children in foster care, seeAboriginal teenagers in foster care). Aboriginal children were overrepresented among foster children-they accounted for 48% of all foster children in Canada even though they made up 7% of the overall population aged 14 and under. The majority of Aboriginal foster children were First Nations (82%), while about 13% were Métis and 4% were Inuit.Note 25

There is variation between age groups among foster children. Aboriginal children accounted for one-half (49%) of all foster children aged 0 to 4, more than one-half (56%) of all foster children aged 5 to 9, and 41% of all foster children aged 10 to 14-yet Aboriginal children represent about 7% of all children in each of those age groups in Canada.

Three-quarters of Aboriginal foster children live in the western provinces

Three-quarters (76%) of Aboriginal foster children lived in the western provinces, compared with 62% of Aboriginal children who were not foster children. In 2011, 25% of Aboriginal foster children lived in Manitoba, 22% in Alberta, 17% in British Columbia, and 12% in Saskatchewan.

The proportion of foster children who were Aboriginal varied by province and territory (Table 5). In Saskatchewan, 87% of all foster children aged 14 and under were Aboriginal children. This was the case for 85% of foster children in Manitoba, 73% in Alberta and 56% in British Columbia. Nearly all children in foster care in Nunavut, Yukon Territory and in the Northwest Territories were Aboriginal children, according to NHS data. However, there is a higher proportion of Aboriginal children in those provinces (of all children aged 14 and under, the proportion of Aboriginal children was 96% in Nunavut, 67% in the Northwest Territories, and 33% in Yukon).

Total children

Total children in foster care

Aboriginal

Non-Aboriginal

Aboriginal

Non-Aboriginal

percent

Canada
7.0 93.0 48.1 51.9

Less than one-half of Aboriginal children in foster care live with at least one adult with an Aboriginal identity

Description for Chart 4

Living with at least 1 foster parent with the same Aboriginal identity

Living with at least 1 foster parent with a different Aboriginal identity, but no foster parent with the same Aboriginal identity

Living with only non-Aboriginal foster parent(s)

Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

Of the 600 Inuit foster children in Canada, 43% were living with at least one Inuit foster parent, 6% lived with at least one foster parent of another Aboriginal identity, and 51% were living with non-Aboriginal foster parents.

Of the 1,800 Métis foster children in Canada, a little over 20% were living with at least one Métis foster parent, while 6% lived with at least one foster parent of another Aboriginal identity and 72% lived with non-Aboriginal foster parents.

In 2011, there were 9,900 First Nations children with registered Indian status who were foster children; one-quarter of them lived on reserve. Of those who lived on reserve, almost all (99%) lived with at least one foster parent who was First Nations. Among First Nations foster children with registered Indian status living off reserve, 21% were living with at least one foster parent who also reported being First Nations.

The overall proportion of Aboriginal children in foster care who lived with at least one Aboriginal foster parent, regardless of whether or not they had the same Aboriginal identity, was 44%. This percentage, however, varied by province and territory, from 88% in Nunavut to 13% in Yukon (Chart 5).

Description for Chart 5

percent

Canada

44.2

N.L.

70.0

N.S.

60.6

N.B.

70.0

Que.

57.5

Ont.

41.5

Man.

48.9

Sask.

60.2

Alta.

28.6

B.C.

37.3

Y.T.

12.5

N.W.T.

45.2

Nvt

88.0

Prince Edward Island data was suppressed to meet confidentiality requirements.

Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

In all provinces located to the east of Ontario, the proportions of Aboriginal foster children living with at least one Aboriginal foster parent were above the national average, with percentages varying between 58% in Quebec to 70% in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. In Ontario, 42% of Aboriginal foster children were living with at least one Aboriginal foster parent. This was the case for 49% of Aboriginal foster children in Manitoba, 60% in Saskatchewan, 29% in Alberta (the lowest proportion of all provinces), and 37% in British Columbia.

In the territories, the percentage of Aboriginal children with an Aboriginal foster parent also varied, as the percentages were 13% in Yukon, 45% in the Northwest Territories, and 88% in Nunavut.

Finally, Aboriginal foster children were also more likely to live in a household with three or more foster children-52% of Aboriginal foster children lived in a household with three or more foster children compared with 40% of non-Aboriginal foster children.

Conclusion

Similar to other children in Canada, Aboriginal children across the country have diverse and varied living arrangements. Aboriginal children, however, are more likely than non-Aboriginal children to live in a large family, with two parents who are in a common-law relationship, with a lone parent, or with grandparents. Note that the NHS results provide a snapshot of living arrangements at one point in time and therefore do not provide information about the stability of such arrangements over time. In order to obtain such details, additional research would be needed to study the stability of living arrangements within the Aboriginal population and their possible association with some of the health, education and social outcomes observed within this population.

For Aboriginal people, the conceptualization of family often involves definitions of family that extend beyond the household.Note 28 In fact, results from the Aboriginal Children's Survey (ACS) have shown that Aboriginal children have extended family, community members and Elders who spend time with them and who are involved in their lives. As the NHS cannot capture these complexities, the results of this study should be interpreted with an understanding of the importance of people living outside the home in raising Aboriginal children. Future studies that examine the role of the family on children's outcomes should consider aspects of family that may be particularly relevant to Aboriginal people, outside of household composition, including family ties, mobility and kinship.
Annie Turner is an analyst with the Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division at Statistics Canada.
Data sources, methods and definitions

End of text box

Start of text box

Aboriginal teenagers in foster care

Notes

Note 1.

Note 2.

Note 3.

While the census definition of "child" refers strictly to sons and daughters living in a census family with married, common-law or lone parents, for simplicity, the population aged 14 and under is often referred to in this document as "children." See the Families Reference Guide, 2011 Census (Statistics Canada, 2012) for more information on the definition and concept of children.

Note 4.

Aboriginal identity refers to whether the person reported being an Aboriginal person-First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit), and/or being a Registered or Treaty Indian (registered under the Indian Act of Canada) and/or being a member of a First Nation or Indian band. Although single and multiple responses to the Aboriginal identity question are possible, the data in this document for each of the three Aboriginal groups are based on the population reporting a single identity of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.

Note 5.

Note 6.

Note 7.

Note 8.

Note 9.

Note 10.

Note 11.

Note 12.

Note 13.

Table A1 provides supplementary information about the living arrangements of First Nations children living on reserve and off reserve. Table A2 provides similar information for Inuit children, by Inuit area of residence.

Note 14.

Note 15.

Note 16.

In the report entitled Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: First Nations People, Métis and Inuit (Statistics Canada, 2013), the number of children living in multigenerational families is lower than what is presented here. In the current study, the method used to derive the number of children living in a multigenerational household provides a more comprehensive count of the number of children living in this arrangement.

Note 17.

Note 18.

Note 19.

Note 20.

Note 21.

Note 22.

See Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015).

Note 23.

Note 24.

Note 25.

Note 26.

Note 27.

Note 28.

Note 29.

See Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015).

Note 30.

Note 31.

Note 32.

End of text box

Related information

Supplementary information Related articles Data sources Bibliographic references

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Living arrangements of Aboriginal children aged 14 and under

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This study uses data from the National Household Survey (NHS) to examine the living arrangements of Aboriginal children aged 14 and under, and includes results about the proportion of Aboriginal children who lived with lone parents, with their grandparents, or in a stepfamily. The study also provides key statistics about Aboriginal foster children.

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If you think you know what being a foster parent in 2019 looks like, you probably haven't talked to Sandy Case, president of the Vancouver Island (South) Foster Parent Association and 25-year foster caregiver.

October is Foster Family Month in B.C., honouring British Columbians who step in to care for children and youth who, for many different reasons, are unable to live with their families.

A lot has changed since a social worker showed up at Case's home to bring her the first children she would care for back in 1994.

"My husband was in the navy then and while he was gone, my first placement showed up," Case said. "They were a pair of 16-month-old twins and their 7-month-old baby sister. My biological children were six and 10 years old. I bundled them all up and met my husband at the jetty, and the first words out of my children's mouths were, 'Dad, look what we got!' pointing to the babies."

Case estimates she's cared for about 125 foster children - from babies to 5-year-olds - and describes fostering as "the hardest experience you'll ever love."

What's different now is the relationship building that's inherent to a foster parent's role. "Nowadays, it's all about how to keep children connected to the most significant relationships in their lives and to provide some form of consistency, which is vital to a child's mental health," Case said, referring to the open communication that is encouraged.

Wherever possible, families get the support to either have the child returned to their care or an arrangement that lets them stay active in the child's life. Sometimes that consistency is achieved by finding extended family members who can care for the child.

If adoption has to be explored after all other avenues have been exhausted, Case said, it might be an open adoption. This approach gives children support from more than one family unit, which can be complicated, yet enriching.

While children don't have a choice about coming into care, Case would like the public to think about how parents end up in difficult positions - often as a result of their own childhood trauma, which gets passed on. They don't have the support systems that healthy families typically have.

Another thing that's changed, Case said, is how children are transitioned back to birth parents or to adoptive parents and how much work goes into that through a gradual, carefully planned process. She said that once children have transitioned back to their family, it's the foster parent who can also provide respite. She's currently offering respite care to a single mother of four young boys. Sometimes, foster children keep in contact with their foster parents years later as well.

"When children show up, you don't know whether they'll be with you for a week, a month or a couple of years."

And she's not afraid to admit that transitioning the children back to family can be bittersweet. "I'm happy that they are going back to a permanent situation. At the same time, I'm sad because I have been their 'Nana,' especially if they've been in my care for a long time. I usually go into my closet and have a good cry when the transition is complete."

"I've learned to tell myself that maybe just one thing I did while they were with me, and the love I showed them, is something they will carry with them no matter where they are."

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, visit: https://fosternow.gov.bc.ca/
Quick Facts:

While the Ministry of Children and Family Development is providing greater supports to keep families together when it is safe to do so, resulting in fewer children coming into care in the first place, there is still a need for skilled caregivers to care for children who cannot safely live with their parents.

As of April 2019, government has raised support payments to foster parents by an additional $179 per month to help cover the basic necessities for children in their care, including food, clothing and shelter. This was the first increase in 10 years.

There are about 2,425 family-based foster homes in B.C. and there is always a need for more to represent the diversity of children and youth in care in need of caregivers.

On Aug. 31, 2019, there were 4,169 (2,928 Indigenous and 1,241 non-Indigenous) children and youth in foster care in B.C.

There are fewer Indigenous children and youth in care now than at any time since 2014.

Through the Extended Family Program, relatives can be supported to provide care for children and youth from their extended family to keep them in their communities and connected to important relationships and cultural heritage and practices.

Learn More:
BC Federation of Foster Parent Association: https://bcfosterparents.ca/

Indigenous Caregivers of BC: fostercaregiversbc.ca

Extended Family Program: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/fostering/temporary-permanent-care-options/placement-with-a-person-other-than-the-parent

Call the fostering line: 1 800 663-9999

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'It's a new age for foster parenting': long-time foster parent

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If you think you know what being a foster parent in 2019 looks like, you probably haven't talked to Sandy Case, president of the Vancouver Island (South) Foster Parent Association and 25-year foster caregiver. October is Foster Family Month in B.C., honouring British Columbians who step in to care for children and youth who, for many different reasons, are unable to live with their families.