In what ways can Indigenous care providers, both relational and non-relational be adequately supported when caring for children in the British Columbia child welfare system?

It is challenging in British Columbia to recruit and retain Indigenous caregivers and foster parents. The over representation of Indigenous children in care is overwhelming, as is the under representation of Indigenous caregivers. Issues associated with recruiting and retaining Indigenous caregivers are numerous. In part due to historical trauma of colonization, along with other multiple systemic issues, such as oppressive legislation and polices that resulted in poverty, homelessness and lack of professional support. This paper will explore how social services can acquire and retain more Indigenous caregivers. An analysis of the literature will be used to evaluate information and reflect an in-depth review, which will be explored with both feminist and Indigenous theories. An anti-oppressive and culturally competent framework was valuable for assessing social issues and systemic inequities of potential Indigenous caregivers. This in turn provides professionals with a better understanding as how to recruit and retain Indigenous caregivers and foster parents, by enhancing understanding of the complexities that are impactful to Indigenous peoples.