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

Related Stories:
South Dakota panel pressed on Indian child welfare (10/04)
White Earth Band seeks control of child custody case (09/15)
Meskwaki mother decides not to give up baby son (08/26)
Oglala Sioux Tribe seeks role in child welfare case (8/25)
Indian mother gives up son to non-Indian couple (08/15)
Child welfare case handed to Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (8/8)
Meskwaki mother asks tribe not to hold up adoption (07/28)
Meskwaki mom wants son to go to non-Native family (07/06)
Adopted Navajo child to return home to reservation (06/22)
Wisconsin tribes form child welfare partnership (06/16)
GAO calls for better state data in ICWA cases (04/08)
Failures cited in child abuse on Utah reservation (03/21)
Couple says mother didn't want son in her tribe (03/01)
Hearing slated on custody dispute over Indian boy (02/28)
Yellow Bird: A nation cannot flourish without children (02/01)
Indian mother in South Dakota wants adopted son back (01/31)
Navajo child welfare case sparks legal battle (01/31)
New Mexico infant law said to conflict with ICWA (01/28)
Iowa announces foster care plan for Indian children (11/24)
Alaska opinion backs away from tribal courts (11/01)
Alaska wants to reduce tribal powers in child welfare (09/09)
Fort Peck Tribes sign child welfare agreement (09/07)
Dispute over child welfare contract continues (09/06)
South Dakota Supreme Court supports ICWA case (08/27)
Choctaw Nation helping man in child custody battle (07/06)
Foster care commission seeks tribal inclusion (05/19)
Judge cites ICWA in returning drug addicted baby (03/22)
Native children living in poor, single-parent homes (03/19)
S.D. tribes unhappy with gutting of ICWA bill (02/24)
Bill seeks study of Indian child welfare system in S.D. (02/05)
High rate of Indian adoptions in Iowa protested (01/13)