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 Aboriginal
Custom Adoption
Aboriginal Custom Adoption
refers to a privately arranged adoption between two families
within the Aboriginal community. Custom adoption is an open
process that involves many people in a child's life, including
birth parents, extended family, the Aboriginal community and
those with a significant relationship to the child. The goal
of Aboriginal Custom Adoption is to ensure Aboriginal children
are raised in Aboriginal families so that they retain their
language and cultural identities.
For over 40 years, Aboriginal
Custom Adoptions have been recognized in Canadian courts and
under statutes as a way of forming legal family relationships.
Custom adoptions do not require the same administrative procedures
as statutory adoptions and are recognized as legal so long
as the adoption meets the criteria set forth in the province
or territory. In most cases, there are no lawyers or social
workers involved in these adoptions.
In an Aboriginal Custom adoption,
families often have a 'custom adoption ceremony' and the adoption
is considered legal when a child is physically transferred
to the adoptive parents. In the Northwest Territories, however,
a custom adoption is legal if the Adoption Commissioner, says
the adoption was done in the traditional way, following aboriginal
custom. In Nunavut, however, the Department of Health and
Social Services oversees custom adoptions.
Kinship Care or Relative
Placement
Method of providing children
with care by relatives or extended family. Also called relative
placement. The arrangement may be informal; a formal foster
care placement; or a pre-adoption placement. The court may
award relatives custody, or guardianship. In a formal foster
care placement, the relative may receive the same benefits
and supports as other foster care parents. See also custom
care. Kinship care or 'relative placement' is an arrangement
where children are placed in the care of their relatives or
extended family. This type of care may be informal, a formal
foster care placement or a pre-adoption placement. The court
awards the relatives custody or 'guardianship' of the child.
Step-Parent
Adoption
This type of adoption is when you remarry and you or
your spouse want to adopt each other's children that were
the result of another relationship. The best course of action
is to consult with a family lawyer.
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