PEMBROKE — More than 150 members of the tribes of North Carolina recently gathered at the Indian Child Welfare Gathering held at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
The gathering, held during American Indian Heritage Month, focused on the issue of foster care and culture. In attendance were Sharon and David Crowe, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation. The Crowes discussed their experience hosting 240 foster children over a 40-year period.
“The biggest thing these children need is love,” David said in an emotion packed testimonial. “We try to show them love. Even if it is short term, we still make them part of our family. Foster parents can make a difference. They will remember how you made them feel.”
The Eastern Band of Cherokee has taken an active role with their Department of Social Services to recruit and place the tribe’s foster children with Indian families. During the meeting, the North Carolina tribes signed a memorandum of understanding with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to promote the recruitment and training of American Indian foster families.
The gathering featured sessions on the Guardian Ad Litem program, Child Protective Services and children’s health. Robeson County has 165 American Indian children in foster care and 11 American Indian foster parents, said Anthony Maynor, supervisor of foster care for the Robeson County Department of Social Services. Maynor said that the DSS is working to fix that.
“We actively recruit foster parents at powwows, churches and working with the tribe,” said Maynor.
As UNC Pembroke and its Southeast American Indian Studies program become leaders of American Indian communities in North Carolina and the Southeastern U.S., it has begun to host more events, including speakers, issue-oriented conferences and other gatherings.
The day-long event was led by the North Carolina Department of Administration and the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. UNCP’s Southeast American Indian Studies program and the Department of Social Work were campus sponsors, and Robeson Healthcare Corporation was the major community underwriter.
The memorandum opens with a statement of the importance of placing American Indian foster children with Indian families: “The welfare of North Carolina’s American Indian children and families is directly connected to the relationship they have with their tribe, culture, extended families and communities.”
“This is a great step forward,” said Ruth Revels, chair of the commission. “Keeping American Indian foster children in the family and in the community is a priority.”
