In October a federal court in Texas struck down the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), what I consider to be an important piece of civil rights legislation for Native families here in the U.S. This important law, passed in 1978, strengthened the legal rights of Indigenous families and specified that when Native children are removed from the care of their families, they will be placed in the care of extended family members, families in their own tribe, or Indigenous families from another tribe.
Oral arguments will be heard in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 13. In preparation for this hearing, 325 tribal nations, 57 Native organizations, and 21 states [including WA State through the Bob Ferguson, our Attorney General] joined the United States and four intervenor tribes by filing briefs to urge the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act.
We are working to organize candle-light vigils in our communities on March 13th in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. For this to have an impact in each of our communities, we ask that participating congregations send press releases to local papers explaining these vigils, so that they know we support Indigenous Self-Determination, and stand with the 322 tribes that wish to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act.
~ From Sarah Augustine, Structures Committee
Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition
I am contacting you because you have already indicated that you are interested in justice for Native American and Indigenous Peoples. I am wondering if you would be willing to take the next step in advocating for justice for Native Peoples.
In October a federal court in Texas struck down the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), what I consider to be an important piece of civil rights legislation for Native families here in the U.S. This important law, passed in 1978, strengthened the legal rights of Indigenous families and specified that when Native children are removed from the care of their families, they will be placed in the care of extended family members, families in their own tribe, or Indigenous families from another tribe.
My father was removed from his mother, extended family, tribe, and homeland when he was an infant – he was raised in a foster home 300 miles away under very harsh conditions. He never knew his family. The abuse and neglect he experienced as a foster child had a devastating impact on his life, and on my life as his daughter. A recent essay I wrote for The Mennonite explains in more depth why this is important to me.
Because I am a Native woman living in a Native community, I recognize that the child welfare system, in my community anyway, has challenges. However, I know that removing Native children from their extended families, communities, land and the larger whole of Indigenous Peoples of North America is not the solution.
Oral arguments will be heard in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 13. In preparation for this hearing, 325 tribal nations, 57 Native organizations, and 21 states joined the United States and four intervenor tribes by filing briefs to urge the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act.
The only faith-based organization that filed a brief sided against tribal nations on behalf of the plaintiffs in the case (those who want to strike down the Indian Child Welfare Act). This brief voiced conviction that the law created to protect Indigenous children is actually racially discriminatory, and exceeds the authority of the U.S. Congress. This stance is consistent with the Church’s role in developing and enforcing the Doctrine of Discovery, a body of law and policy that justifies the removal of Indigenous Peoples from their land and communities. This logic resulted in the creation of boarding schools, and carries on in the current push to strike down the law that protects Native American children from a long legacy of family separation and removal.
Native tribes argue that as Sovereign Nations, tribes have the right to protect Indigenous Children.
We are working to organize candle-light vigils in our communities on March 13th in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. For this to have an impact in each of our communities, we ask that participating congregations send press releases to local papers explaining these vigils, so that they know we support Indigenous Self-Determination, and stand with the 322 tribes that wish to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Please consider sharing and distributing the National Indian Child Welfare Associationshort videos explaining the important of the Indian Child Welfare Act, educating our communities and congregations. They are short – just 3-8 minutes.
We do not have to let one vision of Christianity speak for the entire body of Christ. We can choose to stand with Indigenous Peoples now for the protection of Indigenous families and children.
Please contact us if you are willing to participate! We will help you get organized. A sample press release is below.
Leave a Reply