South Dakota is forcibly removing nearly 700 Native American children from their homes every year and placing them in non-Native foster homes, in clear violation of the Indian Child Welfare Act. The Indian Child Welfare Act, passed in 1978, states that, except in the rarest circumstances, Native American children must be placed with their relatives or tribes. It also says states must do everything it can to keep native families together. Yet, in South Dakota, 90% of all Native children removed from their homes are placed in nonnative foster homes, while Native homes are available to take these children in, with no explanation from state officials. By separating these children from their families and tribes, the government is continuing the destructive practices of cultural assimilation that nearly destroyed Native cultures in the past. We are calling on Governor Dennis Daugaard and the South Dakota State Legislature to change this destructive practice and uphold the law. For more information see:
Native Foster Care: Lost Children, Shattered Families:
http://www.npr.org/2011/10/25/141672992/native-foster-care-lost-children-shattered-families

Please sign to ensure that children stay with their families and tribes and that they are not forced to assimilate into white american culture.