Bill John Baker: Cherokee children are our most valuable asset

Monday, July 1, 2013  

Cherokee Nation Chief Bill John Baker discusses the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, an Indian Child Welfare Act case:

Last week the U.S. Supreme Court sent the “Baby Veronica” case back to the lower courts to be reheard as a traditional custody case. The case, already a long and emotional battle for Dusten Brown and his family, will continue to drag on.

We are thankful that the court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and protected a law critical to the future of Indian children and tribal sovereignty; however, we are disappointed that the case wasn't fully resolved.

Dusten Brown is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. There is no gray area regarding his citizenship. Pure and simple, he is Cherokee and his child is Cherokee. Without a doubt, our people are our most valuable asset and we will always work to protect them and their families.

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation Chief Bill John Baker: We will work to protect our people and their families (The Oklahoman 6/30)

Supreme Court Decision:
Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl (June 25, 2013)

Oral Argument Transcript:
Adoptive Couple v. Cherokee Nation (April 16, 2013)

South Carolina Supreme Court Decision:
Adoptive Couple v. Cherokee Nation (July 26, 2012)

Related Stories:
Non-Indian couple rushes to resolve custody in ICWA case (6/28)
Jacqueline Keeler: Saving Baby Veronica from being Indian (6/28)
Editorial: Supreme Court got it right in Baby Veronica case (6/28)
Alex Pearl: Supreme Court sends message on Indian blood (6/27)
Turtle Talk: More thoughts on Supreme Court ICWA decision (6/27)
Native Sun News: Supreme Court goes against Indian father (6/27)
Kevin Abourezk: Nebraska reaction to decision in ICWA case (6/26)
Jennifer Gapetz: Baby Veronica is a Cherokee Nation citizen (6/26)
Lots of Links: Coverage of Indian Child Welfare Act decision (6/26)
Supreme Court rules against Cherokee father in ICWA dispute (6/25)
Cherokee Chief: Baby girl should remain with biological father (6/25)
NCAI remains hopeful after ruling in Supreme Court ICWA case (6/25)
Turtle Talk: Initial impressions of Supreme Court's ICWA ruling (6/25)
Opinion: We fought the Cherokee Nation to keep adopted child (6/25)