Developing One's Self: Adoption and Identity Formation Through the Eyes of Transracially Adopted Native American Adults

Abstract

Life story methods were used to explore the contextual factors that influenced the experiences and identity formation of seven Native American adults who were transracially adopted prior to the passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.These methods provided a deeper understanding of how these individuals have integrated their adoption experiences into their evolving sense of self. The life story methodology offered a way to acknowledge and validate participants' life experiences and allowed for the collection of rich information from the perspectives of the adoptees.The life story interviews were structured to gather information on the influence of one's adoptive family and cultural, social, and educational experiences on particpants' developing sense of self. Even though an interview guide was developed for use in the study, each story uniquely unfolded in a manner the participant was comfortable sharing.The study examined the life stories for patterns or emerging themes related to identity development at different points in the narrators' life cycles in order to develop an aggregate account of the contextual factors influencing identity formation as well as a collective understanding of sense of self. The study identified 12 contextual factors that have both positively and negatively influenced identity development among the participants throughout their lifespan. These factors are: 1) adoptive family;2) community; 3) educational experiences; 4) religion/spirituality; 5) travel; 6) exposure to cultural experiences; 7) employment; 8) friendships; 9) peer groups; 10) military; 11) societal messages, and 12) reconnection to tribal heritage. Overall, findings from this study suggest that the majority of participants have developed strong Native American, multi-cultural, and/or bi-cultural identities that incorporate their various experiences as transracial adoptees.

I am home. The circle is complete: The reunification of fostered/adopted relatives

“…Fostered/adopted American Indian relatives reunify not only with caregivers, but with siblings, extended relatives, tribe, and land (Becker-Green, 2009;Landers et al, 2015Landers et al, , 2017. Reunification with family of origin connects fostered/adopted American Indian relatives with their tribal heritage (Landers et al, 2018).…”

“…Reunification with family of origin connects fostered/adopted American Indian relatives with their tribal heritage (Landers et al, 2018). Reconnecting to tribal community allows fostered/ adopted American Indian relatives to reconnect to spirit, land, and culture (Becker-Green, 2009). The search for family of origin is motivated by a desire for belongingness, identity development, and cultural heritage (Peterson, 2002).…”

“…The search for family of origin is motivated by a desire for belongingness, identity development, and cultural heritage (Peterson, 2002). These relatives are searching for self and renegotiating their American Indian identity as they search for their family of origin (Becker-Green, 2009). They describe yearning to reconnect with family of origin and/or tribe during adolescence (Becker-Green, 2009) and report that a significant motivation for reunification with family and tribe is to have their American Indian identity recognized by others (Carriere, 2007).…”

A Review of Literature on the Involvement of Children from Indigenous Communities in Anglo Child Welfare Systems: 1973-2018

“…Additionally, there is a shortage of Indigenous foster parents, despite there being an overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system, which has been attributed to a mistrust of social workers and traumatic child welfare experiences (Brown et al, 2010;Halverson et al, 2002;Hanna et al, 2017). The literature suggests detrimental effects from placing Indigenous children in White foster homes, especially because children who are disconnected from their Indigenous culture and community tend to have difficulty developing a positive self-identity (Becker- Green, 2009;Moss, 2009;Sinclair, 2008). Additionally, publications in this theme document discrimination, oppression, and inequities that Indigenous youth in care experience (Anderson, 2014;Berlin, 1978;Green, 1983).…”