Understanding and countering racism with first nations children in out-of-home care.

Although First Nations communities in Canada are increasingly taking control of their own child welfare services, their children are still overrepresented in out-of-home care. First Nations children are frequently placed in non-Native environments where they encounter racist attitudes and behaviors. This situation originated in assimilation policies in which governments removed First Nations children from their families, placing them in residential schools, and later, in non-Native foster or adoptive homes. This article suggests ways for social workers and foster carers to combat racism, both individually and by supporting the initiatives of First Nations people to regain control of their own children.