The Adoption Resource Exchange of North America (ARENA), placed 89 Indian children out of 119 registered with it in 1968, reports the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior. The BIA works closely with the national organization.
Placement was pending at the end of 1968 for most of the remaining 30 Indian children.
The 89 children ranged in age from birth to 13 years. Of the total, 47 were infants, 23 were pre-school age, and 19 were school-age. Fifty-four of the children were boys, 35 were girls. There were eight sibling groups placed, including three from one family.
The children placed for adoption carne from 13 states, including 37 from Arizona; 11 from Wisconsin; 10 from California; seven from Nevada, and seven from South Dakota.
A total of 21 states provided adoptive parents, including 17 from New York; Pennsylvania, 11; Illinois, 10; Indiana, eight; Missouri, seven; Massachusetts, six, and Delaware, five.
According to Bureau officials, many of the families interested in adopting Indian children claimed some Indian heritage themselves. Taking pride in their Indian ancestry, they are interested in learning all about the child's tribe, and strive to keep the child informed and proud of his Indian background.
At present, ARENA has 145 families registered, waiting for Indian children. The ARENA project is conducted through the Child Welfare League, 44 East 23 Street, New York, New York 10010.
