The Importance of Cultural Identity

Culture & Identity, Indigenous
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At The Evermore Centre we have seen adoptees wanting to reconnect to culture and we recognize the value and the need to have a cultural connection to support their identity. From forms of colonization, many Indigenous people have been unable to access culture, language, and community. To support our families built through different forms of permanency we encourage cultural connection through programming and community relationship building.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver or health practitioner, you can help enrich a child's identity:

• Learn as much as you can about the specific culture of the child – its traditions, strengths and challenges. Aboriginal cultures are diverse (there are approximately 50 different Aboriginal cultural groups in Canada) and there is also diversity within each community.

• Try to balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of the child.

• Support the child to learn and maintain their traditional language.

• Provide regular opportunities for them to take part in traditional activities. Fish, gather berries, prepare and eat traditional foods together.

• Provide regular opportunities for them to take part in community events. Attend ceremonial and ritual events.

• Encourage meaningful interaction with Elders from their community. Children can learn respect and wisdom from Elders.

• Support them to learn traditional stories and legends.

• Provide them with books, videos, traditional games, dance and music that reinforce their traditional, family and daily life.

• Speak frankly to them about discrimination.

• Network with other Aboriginal parents, colleagues and Elders to share experiences and ideas. (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2023)

The Circle of Connectedness

The importance of identity is particularly true for Aboriginal children's healthy development since community and belonging are such important parts of their cultures' belief systems. In recent years, Aboriginal leaders have been striving to enhance children's sense of belonging. Some have called this a circle of connectedness. The circle is a sacred symbol in all Aboriginal cultures. An emblem of wholeness, unity and infinity, it represents the cycles of life and the meaning of the universe. The circle of connectedness sees the child at the centre, surrounded by his or her parents, who are in turn surrounded by their community. (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2023)

Indigenous Medicine Wheel

The Indigenous way of life involves interconnectedness, balance, and transcendence. it is not linear, but is considered to be a circle with various life cycles for all creation. Everyone has a spiritual self, an emotional self, a physical self, and an intellectual self. It is important to maintain a balance and strength in all four quadrants to achieve a positive sense of wellbeing.

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