Parenting Native Children

"Little Sister" shown with permission by Steph Littlebird (Grande Ronde) at Etsy.

Parenting Native children—whether as a Tribal member or transracial caregiver—comes with enormous responsibility. Native children depend on adults around them (like you!) to keep them connected to their heritage, land, language and Tribe. A child's Tribe is always the first and best place to seek support and resources. Below, Tribal elders and other experts offer additional guidance to enrich your own caregiving wisdom.

For more Tribal-specific resources, please reference our Adoptee & Foster Native Voices, Jingle Dance & Powwows, ICWA/ORICWA, Native Health & Wellbeing, Native Heritage and Tribal Library Collection pages.

For general parenting, specialized needs, or other specific topics like Early Childhood, Discipline, Foster Parenting, Grandparent/Relative/Kinship Caregivers, Talking About Culture and Transracial Parenting/Cultural Diversity please reference our many other Resource pages.

Websites

Future Generations Collaborative - Portland Metro-based
- Barbies Village - Chaku Manaqi-Łush, a Help Me Grow model, Indigenous playgroups
- Parenting, Early Intervention & Education Support
Native American Parent Technical Assistance Center at Center for Parent Information & Resources
- Native Culture & Background, Working With Native Children & Families, and more!
Native American Youth & Family Center - Portland Metro-based
- KEEP Support Groups - held virtual statewide
- Parenting in 2 Worlds Support Groups
- Positive Indian Parenting
ODHS Ongoing Parent Training
- ICWA/ORICWA: Why it Matters - ODHS training, 1/09/2024 and 2/13/2024, 6-8pm
- Walking in Balance (on wellness using traditional Cherokee practices) by Abraham Bearpaw (Cherokee) (video)
- Why Culture Matters & Cultural Continuity Agreements - ODHS training, TBA

Recommended Books & Articles

Tribal-related materials in ORPARC's library, including parenting books and materials in Native languages!

American Indian & Alaska Native Grandfamilies: Helping Children Thrive Through Connection to Family & Cultural Identity by Generations United
- Grandfacts: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Grandfacts: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
- Grandfacts: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Grandfacts: Port Gamble S’Kallam
Bullying: What American Indian & Alaska Native Parents Need to Know by NAPTAC
Child and Family Teams Tribal Engagement Guide by California Department of Social Services & California Tribal Families Coalition (CTFC)
Creating Connection and Community at Chaku-Hayash Khapa Q’at Pi T’wax by Children's Institute
Engaging & Supportive Native Grandfamilies by Capacity Building Center for Tribes
Honoring children, making relatives: Indigenous traditional parenting practices compatible with evidence-based treatment by Dr. Dolores Subia BigFoot (Caddo Nation)
How I'm Raising My Daughter to be 100% Unapologetically Indigenous by Andrea Landry (Anishinaabe from Pawgwasheeng )
How Kinship Instills Character and Values in Indigenous Families by Center for Parent & Teen Communication
Indigenous Customary Care by Belonging Network in B.C.
Indigenous Family Resilience & Native American Parenting Philosophies - Two Studies by Dr. Jennifer M. Lilly
Indigenous Parenting: Wisdom From Ancient Cultures by Irene Baker, Montessori Services
Maintaining Indigenous Parenting in a Modern World by Celeste Halliwell
Messages From the Heart, Caring For Our Children: A National Showcase on Aboriginal Child Rearing by National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health
New Intertribal Parenting Group Offers Indigenous Families a Way to Reconnect With Tradition by Alexa Peters, South Seattle Emerald
Parenting After Separation for Indigenous Families by British Columbia (transcript of a course)
Parenting from Western and Indigenous Perspectives by Building Brains Together
Principles of Indigenous Child Raising: Our Ancestors Were Smart and Good by Dr. Darcia Narvaez
Reinforcing Resilience: How Parent Centers Can Support American Indian & Alaskan Native Parents by NAPTAC
Resilience and Reconnection: Stories of Contemporary Indigenous Parenting - multiple articles by multiple authors for Romper
Study Explores Role of Traditional Parenting Class in Strengthening Native American Families by The Imprint
Supporting Native Children: A Guide for CASA/GAL Advocacy in State Courts
Tantrums, Tools & Teachers: Helping Tribal Families Connect by Hand in Hand Parenting
The Radical Healing Power of Indigenous Love and Traditional Indigenous Kinship Practices at Home by Andrea Landry (Anishinaabe from Pawgwasheeng)
Tribal Best Practices for Family Engagement by NICWA
Weaving a Resilient Basket of Hope...and Filling It with Tools of Help (FASD) by Suzie Kuerschner, M.Ed., S.P.I.R.I.T.S.

Fathers-specific

Engaging & Supporting Native Fathers by Capacity Building Center for Tribes
The Evolving Role of Indigenous Fathers by Well for Culture podcast
Fatherhood is Ceremony by Brandy Callabaza (Jicarilla Apache/Kewa Pueblo), NDN Collective
Indigenous Fathers Take Lessons from Their Own Experience to Create Healthy Lifestyles for Their Children by National Geographic

Videos & Podcasts

Adopting A Child of A Different Race? Let's Talk by Tribal adoptee Susan Devan Harness (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes) - TedTalk
American Indian and Alaska Native Grandfamilies: Helping Children Thrive Through Connection to Family and Cultural Identity by NICWA and Generations United (webinar + handouts)
Collaboration for Grandfamilies and Kinship Families Support by Dr. Terry Cross (Seneca Nation) and Generations United
Conscious Indigenous Parenting by Well For Culture (podcast)
Family From a Tribal Perspective by Capacity Building Center for Tribes (video)
FASD & Justice: Engender Hope & Deliver Promise by Suzie Kuerschner, M.Ed., S.P.I.R.I.T.S. (video)
Grandma Says...Culture and Celebrate by Tribal Youth Resource Center Podcast
Indigenous community gifted land for tiny home village by KGW (video)
Indigenous Parenting Practices and You with Lorraine Brave, NICWA by ABCD Project Parenthood (podcast)
It Takes a Village: Interview with Cheri Goodwin, Red Lake Nation by CASCW (podcast)
Understanding and Engaging Native Families by AdoptUSKids (webinar)

Supports for Tribal-parenting Families!

In partnership with KEEP, NAYA runs culturally-specific KEEP support groups for Tribal or Tribal-parenting families. Connect with the KEEP program here.