I apologize that it took over a week for me to get this letter out to you. The meetings we had in DC this month were the best ever . I want to tell you that so much prayer went into this – and the answers to prayer were amazing. Not only did God give Grace for the compelling and intelligent discussions we were able to have, but He provided for so many to be able to come. Even when I felt discouraged and reluctant to go, God wouldn’t allow me to stand in the way of what he has put together. He is truly worthy of praise in this.
Further, I give credit and am so grateful for the many people who have come on board in the last six months, concerned about what happened to little Veronica and not wanting it to happen again to any other child. We mourn the horrific abduction that our government allowed to happen to a defenseless two-year-old – and are amazed by the attention it has brought to this insanity called the Indian Child Welfare Act. Veronica is not alone. As you and others have talked about her – other parents have come forward and told how the same thing has happened to them. Further, the Cherokee Nation has admitted that they have over 100 attorneys targeting 1500 children this year.
Further, – the New York Times published a horrific story about the Spirit Lake Reservation just two weeks ago. A few days later, another story, this time involving the death of an infant
While not every reservation handles their children in the way that Spirit Lake has, way too many do. Nothing in that story surprised me – it echoed the many things I myself have seen on my husband’s home reservation.
ABOUT DC:
Attorney Mark Fiddler gave a powerful presentation on the ICWA law and how and why it must be changed. He went through the notable problems with the law and gave clear instruction on what must be done to protect the children. Several family stories were told – including the Belfords, the Helmholz, and the Anderson’s.
Johnston Moore also gave a wonderful presentation on the problems ICWA has caused families, and Melanie Duncan did a very well researched presentation on attachment issues – and how, surprise, surprise, children of tribal heritage are no different than any other child in the world.
Dr. William Allen introduced Sage DesRochers, who as a thirteen-year-old was forcibly removed from the only home she knew & loved, and placed with her birth mother on the reservation. She spoke about the trauma she went through and the relief she had when she was finally “released” (her words) from the reservation a couple years later and allowed to return to her chosen family. To this day, twenty some years later, she is upset by what the gov’t and ICWA put her through. She asked her adoptive mother (her ONLY mother, says Sage) to join her on this trip to DC.
I told how my husband and I, as parents and granparents of enrolled children, have been affected and hurt by the Indian Child Welfare Act. Jessican Munday did an awesome job MC’ing and organizing the event
Again – this is about the right of individuals to determine their lives – not governments. Most tribal members have left the reservation system. Some move away but choose to continue close relationship with tribal gov’t. Many other persons – with both large and small amounts of tribal heritage – choose NOT to raise their own children within the limited cultural perspective that some tribal gov’ts and other entities define.
Many of us, knowing that our children are multi-heritage, choose to raise and teach our children within other world views, with knowledge of and appreciation for the wide diversity of culture here in the U.S. Many of our children, as American citizens, feel most comfortable within mainstream American culture, working and learning along side all other diverse American citizens. They appreciate ALL of their varied heritages. Neither tribal nor federal government have a right to dictate what culture should be most important to our children and grandchildren.
In the words of Dr. William Allen, Emeritus Professor, Political Science, MSU and former Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights,
“… we are talking about our brothers and our sisters. We’re talking about what happens to people who share with us an extremely important identity. And that identity is the identity of free citizens in a Republic…”
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT! We could not be do this without you!!
Please continue to press in on our Congressmen – they need to hear your voice!!
CONTACTS:
Senator Akaka: Chairman of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Member of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Hawaii
CONTACT: Lotaka_Baptiste@akaka.senate.gov
Senator Inouye: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Member of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Hawaii
CONTACT: Kawe_Mossman@inouye.senate.gov
Senator Barrasso: Minority Leader; Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (Very interested in ICWA), Wyoming
CONTACT: Travis_McNiven@barrasso.senate.gov
Senator Crapo: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Idaho
CONTACT: Kathryn_Hitch@crapo.senate.gov
Senator Johanns: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Nebraska
CONTACT: Ally_Mendenhall@johanns.senate.gov
Senator Cantwell: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Washington State
CONTACT: Paul_Wolfe@cantwell.senate.gov
Senator Johnson: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Member of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, South Dakota
CONTACT: Kenneth_Martin@johnson.senate.gov
Senator Conrad: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Member of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, North Dakota
CONTACT: Jayme_Davis@conrad.senate.gov
Senator Hoeven: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, North Dakota (helped with Teach-In)
CONTACT: Ryan_Bernstein@hoeven.senate.gov
Senator Murkowski: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Member of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Alaska
CONTACT: Kristi_Williams@murkowski.senate.gov
Senator Tom Udall Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, New Mexico
CONTACT: Fern_Goodhart@tomudall.senate.gov
Senator McCain: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Member of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Arizona
CONTACT: Nick_Matiella@mccain.senate.gov
Senator Franken: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Minnesota
CONTACT: http://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=email_al
Senator Tester: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Montana
CONTACT: Mark_Jette@tester.senate.gov
_________________________________________
Senator Landrieu: Co-Chair of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Louisianna
CONTACT: Libby_Whitbeck@landrieu.senate.gov
Senator Inhofe: Co-Chair of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Oklahoma
CONTACT: Ellen_Brown@inhofe.senate.gov
Senator Coburn: Former Member of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (Very interested), Oklahoma
CONTACT: Michael_Schwartz@coburn.senate.gov
Senator Demint: Member of Congressional Coalition on Adoption, South Carolina
CONTACT: Laura_Evans@Demint.senate.gov
House Committee for Indian Affairs
Chris.Fluher@mail.house.gov – 202-225-2761
Honorable Representative Don Young – Chair, Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-5765, F 202-225-0425, (From the State of Alaska)
CONTACT: Mary.Hiratsuka@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Tom McClintock – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-2511, F 202-225-5444, (From the State of California)
CONTACT: Kristen.Glenn@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Jeff Denham – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-4540, F 202-225-3402, (From the State of California)
CONTACT: Ryan.Henretty@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Dan Benishek – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-4735, F 202-225-4744, (From the State of Michigan)
CONTACT: Tad.Rupp@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Kristi Noem – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-2801, F 202-225-5823, (From the State of South Dakota)
CONTACT: Renee.Latterell@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Paul Gosar – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-2315, F 202-225-9739, (From the State of Arizona)
CONTACT: Kelly.Ferguson@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Raul Labrador – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-6611, F 202-225-3029, (From the State of Idaho)
CONTACT: Jason.Bohrer@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Dan Boren – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-2701, F 202-225-3038, (From the State of Oklahoma, 2nd Dist.)
CONTACT: Hilary.Moffett@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Dale Kildee – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-2611, F 202-225-6393, (From the State of Michigan)
CONTACT: Erin.Donar@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Eni F. H. Faleomavaega – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-8577, F 202- 225-8757, (From the Territory of American Samoa)
CONTACT: Leilani.metz@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Ben Lujan – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-6190, F 202-226-1528, (From the State of New Mexico)
CONTACT: @mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Colleen Hanabusa – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-2726, F 202-225-0688, (From the State of Hawaii)
CONTACT: Josh.Dover@mail.house.gov
Honorable Representative Ed Markey – Subcommittee on Indian/Alaska Native Affairs
P 202-225-2836, (From the State of Massachusetts )
CONTACT: Jennifer.Romero@mail.house.gov
_______________________________________________
Congressional Coalition on Adoption
Honorable Representative Michele Bachmann – Co-Chair, Congressional Coalition on Adoption
P 202-225-2331, F 202-225-6475, (From the State of Minnesota)
CONTACT: Katie Poedtke
Honorable Representative Karen Bass – Co-Chair, Congressional Coalition on Adoption
P 202-225-7084, F 202-225-2422, (From the State of California)
CONTACT: Jenny.Wood@mail.house.gov
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