"The Indian Health Service has changed its mind. Dr. Michael Tilus won’t be reprimanded after all.

That’s a good thing. It’s the right thing.

Tilus is the clinical psychiatrist who raised the alarm about child abuse at Spirit Lake. The system, he alleged, had failed to protect children there.

Extensive investigation the U.S. attorney and the FBI substantiated Tilus’ claims. Charges have been brought in the deaths of two children.

Media attention focused on the situation at Spirit Lake as well.

Reporters for the Herald and The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead had no trouble finding child advocates, social workers and health care professionals who substantiated Tilus’ charges."

Get the Story:
OUR OPINION: Indian Health Service can’t escape child abuse scandal (The Grand Forks Herald 8/4)

Another Opinion:
Forum editorial: Tell truth and get punished (The Fargo Forum 8/5)

Related Stories:
IHS rescinds reprimand of employee in Spirit Lake controversy (8/3)
Editorial: IHS should explain reprimand of tribal whistleblower (7/31)
IHS reprimands employee who warned about Spirit Lake children (7/30)
Man charged for murders of Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation children (7/24)
Editorial: Children's safety at risk on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (7/18)
Toddler who died on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation being laid to rest (7/13)
BIA investigates death of baby girl on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (7/11)
Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation faces scrutiny over child welfare woes (7/9)
HHS official blames Spirit Lake Nation for child abuse problems (6/22)
Sen. Hoeven seeks answers on Spirit Lake social services (04/25)
Editorial: A free press is essential, even in a tribal society (4/17)
Deaths of Spirit Lake Dakotah children treated as homicide (05/26)
Spirit Lake mother confirms identities of two slain children (5/25)
Father suspected for deaths of two children at Spirit Lake (5/24)