NCAI reacts to USSC decision on Indian Child Welfare Case

Indianz.Com. In Print.
http://www.indianz.com/News/2013/010222.asp 

NCAI remains hopeful after ruling in Supreme Court ICWA case
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Filed Under: Law | National 
More on: cherokee, icwa, narf, ncai, south carolina, supreme court
    
      The National Congress of American Indians remains hopeful that a Cherokee Nation citizen can retain custody of his daughter despite a negative ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court today. 

      In Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, the Supreme Court ruled that two sections of Indian Child Welfare Act can't be used to protect the parental rights of Dusten Brown. But the case will be returned to South Carolina for further proceedings so the dispute isn't over. 

      "We are confident that his parental rights will be upheld, and that Veronica will stay with her family," NCAI President Jefferson Keel said in a press release from Reno, Nevada, where the organization is holding its mid-year conference. 

      Keel pointed out that the majority's decision upheld the legality of ICWA. Some observers were worried that the court might eviscerate the law, which was passed in 1978 to keep Indian children in Indian families. 

      "Today's decision sends a clear message that there is no question of ICWA's role as the most important law to protect Native children and families. The decision also affirms Congressional authority to protect Indian children," Keel noted. 

      Through their joint Tribal Supreme Court project, NCAI and the Native American Rights Fund lined up a staggering number of briefs in support of Brown and of the goals of ICWA. Keel said that support will continue as the case returns to South Carolina. 

      "We remain committed to Native families and we will continue to support Dusten Brown's fight for his rights as a father and for Veronica to remain with her loving father, grandparents, and community. Dusten loves his daughter and has never given up in this process, and neither will we," Keel said. 

      Supreme Court Decision:
      Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl (June 25, 2013) 

      Oral Argument Transcript:
      Adoptive Couple v. Cherokee Nation (April 16, 2013) 

      South Carolina Supreme Court Decision:
      Adoptive Couple v. Cherokee Nation (July 26, 2012) 

      Related Stories:
      Supreme Court set to rule in Indian Child Welfare Act case (6/24) 
      NPR: Supreme Court to rule in Indian Child Welfare Act case (6/24) 
     

HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq / 
St. Francis Abenaki / St. Regis Mohawk 
Member, National Writers Union AFL-CIO
www.hunterbear.org 
(much social justice material)

See the new expanded/updated "Organizer's Book," 
JACKSON MISSISSIPPI -- with a new substantial 
introduction by me. This book is a full, very detailed 
discussion of the rise and development of the Jackson  
Movement of 1962-63 -- external life and internal dynamics.  
And this book is also an organizer's how-to manual.
 http://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm   

And see the related http://crmvet.org/comm/hunter1.htm 
 ("Militant and Radical Organizer": -- and also "Fifty Years:
Remembering Medgar Evers")
 http://www.solidarity-us.org/site/node/3876
 
See the Stormy Adoption of an Indian Child [My Father]:
http://hunterbear.org/James%20and%20Salter%20and%20Dad.htm
(Many photos.)

Our very large page on Community Organizing:  
http://hunterbear.org/my_combined_community_organizing.htm