I walk in the way of my ancestors: American Indian/Alaska Native reunification with tribe

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of reunification with extended family and tribe for American Indian/Alaska Native relatives who were fostered and/or adopted as children, including how the reunification occurred, what reunification was like for them, and the feelings and changes associated with the experience of reunification. Background Reunification is often studied as a permanency outcome drawn from administrative child welfare data. Such studies are limited in focus on the return of a child to their caregivers(s), rather than reunifications with extended family and tribe. Method Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted on open‐ended survey data from 70 fostered and/or adopted American Indian/Alaska Native relatives from the Experiences of Adopted and Fostered Individuals Project. Results The five themes included (a) contact leading to reunification with extended family and tribe, (b) with whom reunification with extended family and tribe occurred, (c) resurfacing grief from separation, (d) how reunification with extended family and tribe fosters healing, and (e) barriers to tribal reunification. Relatives pursued information prior to reunifying through searching, engaging in contact via technology and written communication, and returning to tribal lands and events. Reunification occurred between the fostered and/or adopted relative and their extended family and tribe. Resurfacing grief moved from frustration to mourning to acceptance. Extended family and tribal reunification fostered healing through belonging, resemblance, and place identity. Yet, some relatives encountered barriers to reunifying with extended family and tribe. Conclusion This study illuminates how grief experiences from the initial separation resurface during reunification with extended family and tribe for fostered and/or adopted American Indian/Alaska Native relatives.