http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/native-american-child-welfare_n_4719553.html
In our child welfare classes we have all learned about historical laws regarding the specific adoption requirements of Native American children. This article highlights the challenges faced by Native American children in the system despite The Indian Child Welfare act of 1978.
The article talks about the disparities in the amount of Native American children adopted, and the number of Native American children in the foster care system that have been suspected to suffer from abuse and neglect.
Four Native American organizations have asked the United States Justice Department to launch formal investigations.
The laws regarding cultural competence for Native American children were put into place to combat these issues. But are these laws being strictly followed? In some cases traditions are being lost because in the eyes of the law some children are not "indian enough." Who gets to decide? In other cases lawyers and judges are using roundabout ways to specifically side step the law completely. This is very disturbing to me, and yet at the same time sounds very familiar for the American justice system. How often do we see populations being oppressed despite protective measures? And who will actually defend these children and keep cultures alive within the justice systems nebulous "Grey area"
I agree, this is a very grey area. I think this needs to be studies more. My question would be what type of help are the Native Americans' receiving as a whole. If substance abuse is such an issue with this culture, I think finding ways to get them help for that would be the bigger issue instead of misplacing their children.
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