First Nations Fostering
In Wisconsin, there are more American Indian children in foster care than there are licensed American Indian foster parents.
Tribal social services agencies and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families are working to increase the number of American Indian foster families to strengthen community and cultural connections for American Indian children who are experiencing out-of-home placement in Milwaukee County and the balance of the State.
If you are American Indian and would like to learn more about foster care or becoming a foster parent, please contact the Indian Child Welfare Contact nearest you.
Resources for Caregivers & Parents
Quarterly Email Newsletter
Read Past Editions by Clicking the Links Below
Recorded Trainings
Kinship Care Through a Motherhood Is Sacred® Lens: What does it mean to embrace caregiving as something sacred? In this powerful webinar, Cheryl Honnie — a mother of four, guardian of four, and member of the Diné (Navajo) Tribe — shares her personal story of raising children from two worlds.
Two Spirit / Past and Present: Presented by Joseph Torrez, an enrolled member of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, this recording traces the sacred history, near-erasure, and revitalization of Two Spirit identity across Indigenous cultures.
Boys with Braids: An awareness-building webinar on the cultural and spiritual significance of braids for Native boys and men — exploring identity, resilience, and cultural pride while addressing stereotypes for families, schools, and communities.
Fatherhood Is Sacred®, Motherhood Is Sacred®: An overview of a highly successful parenting curriculum developed by a Native American father, focused on empowering Indigenous fathers and mothers to lead with strength in their own homes.
7 Generations: A Look Back at American Indian Families: A powerful exploration of how historical trauma and intergenerational grief have shaped parenting and coping in tribal communities — and how cultural approaches to parenting are being revitalized to build resilience and promote healing.
7 Generations: Caring for Indigenous Children and Their Culture A closer look at American Indian families and how the strength of Indigenous culture helps build lasting resilience in children.
Missing Threads: The Story of the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act A virtual film screening that traces the history and human impact of the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act — and why keeping Native children connected to their culture and communities matters.
Impact of Historical Trauma on Indigenous Peoples: Building Resiliency Through Culture An exploration of how systems of power and control — including intimate partner violence — have historically impacted Indigenous peoples, and how culture serves as a foundation for healing and resilience.
The Impact of ICWA Courts: Approaches to Improving Outcomes for Indian Families: A look at how ICWA Courts use state-tribal partnerships to improve legal compliance and outcomes for Indian families involved in the child welfare system.
Gender-Based Violence and Its Impact on Children and Families Part of WIFCC’s Tribal webinar series, this session examines the dynamics of gender-based violence — including intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, and trafficking — and its impact on children and families.
Downloadable Handouts
Tribal Powwows in Wisconsin, Summer & Fall 2026: Wisconsin is home to rich cultural traditions, and summer marks the heart of the powwow season. Download a guide to upcoming traditional and contest powwows hosted by Native Nations across the state for June, July, August, and September 2026.
Tribal Nations of Wisconsin: A comprehensive collection of resources on the history, sovereignty, culture, and child welfare connections of Wisconsin’s tribal nations — supporting culturally responsive caregiving across the state.
Practical Tip Sheets
The Importance and Significance of Indigenous Hair: A meaningful exploration of the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of hair in Indigenous communities — and why honoring this tradition matters for the children in your care.
Keepers of the Flame: How Stories Empower Tribal Identity: An exploration of the profound role storytelling plays in tribal communities and how it strengthens cultural identity and belonging for Native American children.
Additional Resources & Information
- GRANDFACTS: The Oneida Nation Fact Sheet for Kinship/Grandfamilies: This fact sheet includes national data and information on the Oneida Nation’s tribal-specific programs that can assist kinship/grandfamilies.
- How Relative/Kin Caregivers Can Access Services and Advocate for Native Children in Their Care: The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) created this resource as a tip sheet for service providers to share with relatives/kin caring for Native children. It provides guidance to help caregivers access services, utilize them effectively, and advocate for Native children in their care.
- Where to find Indigenous foods in Wisconsin: With an eye toward food sovereignty, tribal nations in Wisconsin are facilitating the production of more Indigenous foods and making them available to the public.
- Legal Assistance for Native Kinship/
Grandfamilies Involved with Child Welfare: How to Find an Attorney & Help Them Help You: If you are a Native parent or relative caregiver (whether grandparent, other extended family member, or family friend) of a child who was removed from their parents by a state child welfare system, this resource prepared by the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is for you. - How Relative Caregivers Can Advocate for Relative Native Children in State Child Welfare Agency Custody: From the National Indian Child Welfare Association, this tip sheet is for relatives seeking to become caregivers for children involved with state child welfare systems. The resource can also be helpful to relatives who want to support these children in ways other than serving as their full-time placement.
