Abstracts Political Science

First Nations experiences with adoption and reunification: a family and community process

by Lenora Starr

This thesis, or storytelling journey, examines the stories of four First Nations adults who survived cross-cultural adoption into non-First Nations families and reunification with their birth families and/or communities. The methodology utilized for this research is Storytelling. The purpose and passion for storytelling in First Nations traditions are acknowledged and explained, helping to outline why storytelling methodology is a logical choice to honour and respect the storytellers’ messages included in this thesis. An overview of the traditional First Nations family system and the impacts of genocidal government policies on such traditional family systems are explicated, specifically in relation to First Nations children adopted out of community in a cross cultural manner. -Tákem nsnek’wnúk’w7a (All my relations) Advisors/Committee Members: Carriere, Jeannine (supervisor).