A new novel explores the history of a little known Mormon Church program that placed 20,000 Indian children, mostly Navajos, in temporary foster homes.

The Indian Placement Program was part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from 1947 to 1996. It was designed to convert Indians to the Mormon faith and to educate them.

Author Arianne Cope says the program was based on good intentions. But in her book, "The Coming of Elijah," she explores the cultural loss experienced by an Indian girl who was placed in a non-Indian home.

Although the novel is fiction, Cope based it on research of the program and interviews with participants.

Get the Story:
CULTURE CLASH (The Logan Herald Journal 7/13)

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