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O'siyo Brothers and Sister!
For any form of care giving or care oversight
to function, the first criteria that must be met is a clear
understanding of those entrusted to that care and oversight. Indian
child welfare is no exception to this simple requirement, but since
inception of the Indian Child Welfare Act, the system has been rife with
mismanagement stemming in a large part from a lack of understanding of
the needs of Indian children.
The lead and second articles in this issue provide a view of just how
inept the system is. In the first, a child may have taken the suicide
route after being shuffled through multiple homes and cultures. He never
got a chance to be an Indian child. This is not the first such child; he
is only the most recent of thousands. Sadly, he will likely not be the
last.
Throughout our many nations, sending loved ones on their Spirit Journey
is as embedded in our way of being as is singing, dancing and praying.
There is a wake, a dressing ceremony or some other way to honor these
relatives who have shed their earthly robes and prepare them for their
next place of being. This honoring also provides needed closure for
those who mourn their passing. Yet, in the second article we learn a
judge has denied the two brothers of this child the right to attend the
funeral.
This tells me the judge is either ignorant of our ways or arrogant or
both.
This is just one scene being played out in Indian country where the
dominant culture presumes to determine the best way to care for children
who are not of their culture.
The picture is no prettier at the state level - at least not in Georgia.
A few years back a welfare worker, who is herself of native blood,
showed up at a festival and literally begged Indian families to make
themselves available to provide foster care for Indian children the
state was farming out to homes without any regard to the path followed
in those homes.
My wife and I were delighted such an opportunity had presented itself.
We, along with several others, signed up and were assured the state
welfare office would follow-up soon. In fact, we received a screening
call shortly thereafter to determine if we were truly interested. There
was a second, ostensibly to set up a visit. We never got another call.
Further, when we called we were brushed off with first one excuse, then
another. We were beyond frustration and finally quit calling about a
month or six weeks later. We never got a chance to provide a needed
Indian home to an Indian child that has probably joined the ranks of
"lost birds." Nor were children ever sent to any of the other homes who
had eagerly volunteered.
A recent search for Indian children needing homes in Georgia turned up
the curious finding that there seemed to be no Indian child in need.
We'd like to think this is because all the Indian children in Georgia
enjoy healthy, happy and intact homes. It seems unlikely, though, that
Indians would escape the problems and perils that endanger families in
all the other cultures in the country.
Of course this is the same state where NPR deems it unnecessary to air
Native broadcasting because "there are no Indians in Georgia." It is the
same state where, until the Indians who unquestionably DO live in
Georgia stood up and demanded a voice, that pow wows were regarded as
"inappropriate" activities in state parks. My guess is that Indian
children are simply identified as white, black or hispanic, just as we
all were in Georgia after the removal, and those needing fostering are
sent to families that at best are ignorant of their Native traditions,
and at worst may be ashamed or hostile to them.
Indian Child Welfare is doomed to failure and the children entrusted to
it are doomed to lost lives as long as such disregard continues.
All the hand-wringing in the world cannot hope to replace simple
understanding and compassion borne from knowledge.
Dohiyi Ani Oginalii
Gary Smith (*,*)
wotanging@bellsouth.net
P. O. Box 672168 (`-') gars@nanews.org
Marietta, GA 30006, U.S.A. ===w=w===
http://www.nanews.org
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CONTENTS LIST OF ARTICLES IN
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 052
FOR ARTICLES GOT TO
WOTANGING IKCHE-Native American News
Editorial Section: Indian Child Welfare
- Washington Teen's Death Called A Failure Of ICWA
- Indian Siblings Can't Go To Funeral
- Assessing The Supreme Court
- Parties In Klallam Landfill Lawsuit Settle
- Cherokee Freedmen Win Round
- Navajo Soldier Loses Arm In Explosion In Iraq
- National Bison Range, Ranchers Defend Tribe
- Oneidas, U.S. Say Don't Let Claim Die
- Voting Rights Case Settled In South Dakota
- Ariz Attorney General: Tobacco Taxes Off-Rez Only
- Katrina Evacuees In Danger Of Losing Homes
- Navajo Nation: Shirley To Dayish: Butt Out
- Domestic Violence Continues To Be A Problem
- Lumbee Tribe Must Restart Push For Recognition
- Tribal Review Period Shortened Cobell Honored For Work On Indian Trust
Fund Case
- Runner Inspires Others To 'Honor Our Ancestors'
- Native Tourney Seeks NCAA's OK
- Jodi Rave: Tournament Shines Light On Native Athletes
- Yellow Bird: Solstice Brings To Mind Wonder Of Creation
- Giago: Christmas And Lakota Traditions
- Harjo: 2006 Mantle Of Shame Awards
- The Sober Racism Of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto
- John Ross: Year End Article
- Zapatistas Denounce Repression In Oaxaxa
- B.C. Natives Win Right To Hunt At Night
- Native Leader Asks Pm Not To Shuffle Minister
- Troubled Waters
- Historic Settlement For School Abuse Victims
- Judge Urges Pm To Apologize To First Nations
- Siksika, A4 Bar Farm Operations Joint Venture
- Native Prisoner -- Jail Shortfalls Anger Tribal Leaders
- Rustywire: Tazhii', The Turkey And Chee
- Verse: Hawaiian Book Of Days
- Del "Abe" Jones Poem: The Warrior's Holiday
- Lee Goins Poem: Christmas Eve They Took Jesus Away
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