Indigenous custom adoption

Custom adoption is an extension of customary care, which provides temporary or alternate care for Indigenous children whose parents are not able to care for them. Custom adoption enables Indigenous families, organizations, and communities to use a culturally appropriate way of sharing in the permanency planning for Indigenous children. Each case is designed to meet the unique cultural, spiritual, and linguistic needs of a child. 

Learn more at the Ministry of Children and Family Development's website. 

Meet the McKinneys

When Nathaniel was 6 years old, the McKinney family was reunited by a family adoption through Adopt BC Kids. (Nathaniel was a 2^nd cousin to Mom Erin. Erin’s cousin Brad plays the role of “Uncle Dad” to Nathaniel, who is now 14.) The McKinneys want to encourage more Indigenous families to consider adopting, particularly if there are family members in care.