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Adoptions Program

Lalum'utul' Smun'eem has delegated authority from the Province which includes voluntary support services, guardianship and child protection services as well as adoption services.

Traditionally, children were exposed to and involved in cultural experiences right from birth.  It is important to ensure that Aboriginal children have the opportunity to be involved in cultural practices as early in their lives as possile.  Lalum'utul' Smun'eem will strive to meet these specific needs through our agency.

Cowichan Tribes, through their child welfare agence, reclaimed their inherent right to care for their children and families by means of an Adoption Enabling Agreement.  Within this agreement, Cowichan Tribes can provide adoption services through a cultural lens.

Overall Goal of the Adoption Program:

  1. To honour the cultural, spiritual and wholistic needs of our Cowichan children palced for adoption.
  2. To ensure that adoptive families are selected who will keep the children connected to their family, extended family, community and culture.
  3. To recruit Cowichan families who are willing to adopt our Cowichan children and offer them a permanent home.
  4. To involve our Community members, Elders, and Leadership in the program.  This is why our agency developed the Cowichan Tribes Adoption Committee (CTAC) for the purpose of guiding our adotption practice in the Cowichan culture and teachings.  Terms of Reference for the Cowichan Tribes Adoption Committee are outline below.
CTAC (Cowichan Tribes Adoption Committee) was developed.  This Committee was created to replace what the Ministry refers to as the, "Exceptions Committee".  The role of the Cowichan Tribes Adoption Committee (CTAC) is to:
  • Provides cultural guidance in the development and implementation of our cultural ceremonies
  • Supports the implementation of adoption policy and protocol
  • Supports program development by provideing cultural context
  • Consider recommendations for adoption made by social workers of Lalum'utul' Smun'eem
  • Provides support to the Adoption Team for the plans for adoption or offer suggestions for an alternative plan and recommentations for follow-up by agency social workers
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