To the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate:
Pursuant to the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children authorizing legislation (Public Law 114-244), October 14, 2016, as amended, I respectfully submit a Minority Report of the Commission on Native Children.
This report attempts to include the perspective of those Native Americans who live outside of the reservation system and do not use any form of tribal benefit or program. Indeed, about 75% of Native Americans do not live on reservation land or participate in reservation politics. As a result, countless families of Native American heritage are not heard through methods normally employed by those assessing the needs of the United States’ native population.
This is significant as legislation and administrative rules often include them and their children, whether they have chosen to be involved with the reservation system or not.
With their voices in mind, this report presents additional recommendations, several of which were presented to the Commission but were not put forward for discussion or vote.
Due to the strength of an ‘iron triangle’ encompassing federal Indian policy, it is necessary to submit this minority report.
READ: Minority Report to the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Morris, Commissioner
Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children
About the Author:
Elizabeth Morris is the administrator of the ‘Christian Alliance for Indian Child Welfare’ – a national non-profit she and her husband, a member of the Minnesota Chippewa tribe, founded in 2004. Ms. Morris has been writing, lobbying, and advocating on issues related to federal Indian policy since 1995 and is currently working on her PhD in Public Policy: Social Policy at Liberty University.
Ms. Morris was also a Commissioner on the congressional ‘Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children.’ After holding several hearings in regions across the country, the Commission submitted its Final Report and Ms. Morris submitted her Minority Report to Congress in February 2024.
Ms. Morris earned her Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies: Government and Policy, Communication, and Health Science magna cum laude in August 2016 and her Master of Arts in Public Policy with Distinction in July 2019, both at Liberty University. Her Master Thesis is titled: ‘The Philosophical Underpinnings and Negative Consequences of the Indian Child Welfare Act.’
Ms. Morris also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries; an Associate of Science (Registered Nurse), a Diploma of Bible & Missions, and is the author of the book, ‘Dying in Indian Country.’
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