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Rapid City Journal runs series on Indian child welfare
Thursday, January 5, 2006

The Rapid City Journal is running a two-part series on the implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act in the state of South Dakota.

Tribal leaders and child advocates say the state is not complying with the law. They say Indian children are being disconnected from tribal culture as a result

In 2003, Indian children were 61 percent of those in foster and adoptive placements, a tribal attorney said, despite being only 13 percent of all children in the state. The figure is now about 59 percent, according to the state Department of Social Services.

Tribes and Indian lawmakers have sought to beef up the state's enforcement of ICWA but the bills haven't pass. Gov. Mike Rounds (R) ended up appointing a commission to study the issue [Web Site].

Get the Story:
Law seeks to keep children's tribal identity intact (The Rapid City Journal 1/5)

Relevant Links:
National Indian Child Welfare Association - http://www.nicwa.org
Indian Child Welfare Act Commission, South Dakota - http://www.sdtribalrelations.com/icwa.asp
Indian Child Welfare Act Resources - http://www.tribal-institute.org/lists/icwa.htm

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