Project Opikihiwawin and the Sixties Scoop
How White Parents Helped Their Adopted Children Connect With Their Indigenous Heritage
by Cheryl Simmonds and Jamie McKay

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For decades, Indigenous children in Canada were taken from their families and placed in foster care or adopted into non-Indigenous homes—a practice most well-known as the Sixties Scoop but one that began years before and continues long after. Many of these children grew up disconnected from their cultures, languages, and communities. In response, a group of adoptive parents in Manitoba founded Project Opikihiwawin, a groundbreaking initiative to help their children reconnect with their Indigenous heritage. Through parent support groups, children’s programs, cultural gatherings, and partnerships with Indigenous Elders and communities, Project Opikihiwawin became a resource for connection and cultural learning. Written from the perspective of an adoptive parent, Project Opikihiwawin and the Sixties Scoop shares the history, challenges, and triumphs of the project, offering a deeply personal look at the impact of cross-cultural adoption and the resilience of Indigenous identity. Jamie McKay describes her experiences with Project Opikihiwawin from her perspective as one of the Indigenous adoptees.

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Cheryl Simmonds was an active member of Project Opikihiwawin from 1980 until its transition to New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults & Families in 1999. Recognizing the significance of the project, she documented its history in this book as part of the broader story of The Sixties Scoop and to preserve the memories of those who were involved. Cheryl lives in Winnipeg with her daughter and two cats. She enjoys visiting her two grandsons in British Columbia.

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Contributors

Author

Cheryl Simmonds

Author

Jamie McKay

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