Indian Child Welfare Act is still law, but Minnesota tribal leaders say more work ahead
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June 20, 2023
White Earth Nation Executive Director Laurie York speaks at an event hosted by U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, DFL-Minn., at the Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung Center in St. Paul on Friday, June 16. Smith sits to the left.Alex Derosier / Forum News Service
ST. PAUL - Minnesota tribal leaders and activists are hailing the U.S. Supreme Court's upholding of the Indian Child Welfare Act as a major victory for tribal sovereignty. But even after this week's decision, they say much more must be done to protect their rights and address historical injustices.
At a Friday, June 16, news conference at a shelter for American Indian youth in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood, tribal leaders, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, DFL-Minn., and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the act, which aims to keep adopted Native American children closer to their families and culture.
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairman Kevin Dupuis Sr. said the challenge to the act initially brought by white families and the state of Texas, which eventually ended up before the highest court in the land, was an attempt to undermine tribal sovereignty. He said that while it was a time for tribes to rejoice, the fight to preserve rights is ongoing.
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