Fostering Fire: Cultural Mentorship for Aboriginal Youth in Care

Historically and currently, the federal and provincial or territorial governments of Canada have neglected to ensure that Aboriginal children and youth in foster care (CYiC) receive genuine, cultural support. This research project aims to address the lack of cultural programming for CYiC. Through interviews and a review of current literature, knowledge about cultural programming is examined and components of a successful mentorship model for Aboriginal girls in foster care are identified. My theory of Fostering Fire argues that the categories of: People, Programming, and Processing Ideas, are necessary components for a curriculum of cultural mentorship designed for culturally mariginalized CYiC, supported by my own viewpoint as an insider-researcher having grown-up in care in BC. The study concludes that there is an evident need for cultural continuity programming for CYiC, and that a mentorship framework is the best applicable model. This work could easily be applied to CYiC belonging to other cultures around the globe, concerning the human feelings of belonging, connection, and identity.