Examining the risk and predictive factors for substance use and mental health among indigenous youth in out-of-home care

•Results suggestonly a small number of significant differences between older Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in-care.•Indigenous youth in-care report a higher likelihood of engaging in substance use than their non-Indigenous counterparts.•Group home placement is significantly associated with weaker positive mental health and higher levels of substance use.•Placement instability is significantly associated with higher substance use and poorer positive mental health.•Stronger caregiver-child relationships are associated with better positive mental health and less substance use.