OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Oklahomans are asked to join Native Americans in prayer on Nov. 7 when children placed in foster care come together to maintain ties and celebrate their cultural heritage.

In 2008, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) placed about 2,034 American Indian children in foster care, but only 922 certified Native American Bridge Families were available for placement of these children.

The Day of Prayer is in conjunction with an OKDHS sponsored day-long event at the Oklahoma History Center for Native American children in Oklahoma and Canadian counties’ foster homes.

The event will include cultural activities led by tribal, cultural and historical specialists. Children will be immersed in their culture and reconnect with their heritage with the help of Native American educators, community advocates, artists, health educators and Tribal Representatives. Bridge Resource families will receive cultural sensitivity training and education about how to continue or create a positive and supportive bi-cultural family environment. 

Congregations across the state, especially Native American communities of faith, are asked to pray for peace, strength and healing for all foster children, their Bridge/foster families and their biological families.

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