Jeannine Carrière

University of Victoria

Dr. Jeannine Carrière is a Metis woman originally from the Red River area of Manitoba. Her educational background includes a PhD in Human Ecology Family Studies, an MSW a BSW and a BA in Sociology. She is an Associate Professor at the University Of Victoria School Of Social Work in the Indigenous Specialization. Her research interests include child and adoption and issues of identity, mental health, and Indigenous ways of knowing and knowledge transfer. Dr. Carriere has several publications in these research areas and serves on a number of volunteer committees related to Aboriginal child welfare. In 2008 she received the Adoption Activist award from the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC).

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  • Walking This Path Together, 2nd Edition

    Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Child Welfare Practice

    Edited by Jeannine Carrière and Susan Strega     July 2015

    “This is a timely book as many child welfare agencies are beginning the journey of implementing an anti-oppressive framework into practice. With several chapters by Indigenous scholars, the plight of our children remains in the spotlight. An underlying message in this book is that if the challenges for Indigenous child welfare can be properly addressed, then those of all other marginalized populations will follow.” — Cyndy Baskin, School of Social Work, Chair of Aboriginal Education Council, Ryerson University

  • Aski Awasis/Children of the Earth

    First Peoples Speaking on Adoption

    Edited by Jeannine Carrière     February 2010

    The adoption of Aboriginal children into non-Aboriginal families has a long and contentious history in Canada. Life stories told by First Nations people reveal that the adoption experience has been far from positive for these communities and has, in fact, been an integral aspect of colonization. In an effort to decolonize adoption practices, the Yellowhead Tribal Services Agency (YTSA) in Alberta has integrated customary First Peoples’ adoption practices with provincial adoption laws and regulations. Introducing this unique agency, the authors outline the history of First Nations adoptions and, through an interview with a YTSA Elder, describe the adoption ceremonies offered at YTSA. Themes that emerged from interviews with adoptive parents and youth who have been adopted through this new integrated practice are also explored, and important recommendations for policy and practice in First Nations adoption are offered.