"The 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act was created by the federal government in order to establish federal authority over adoption of Native American children. The goal of the act was to strengthen and preserve Native American families and culture.

Each year, South Dakota removes an average of 700 Native children from their homes. Of these 700 children, 90 percent are placed in non-Native homes or group care. The continuing separation of children from their heritage is a tragic and destructive aspect of these cross-cultural placements.

Despite federal law to the contrary, a boarding school mentality exists in favor of placing Native children in non-Indian settings. The identity of Native youth is devalued. Forced assimilation leads to conflict with these young people, who can become very confused about their tribal identity."

Get the Story:
Donna Ennis: Native children suffer under a modern-day version of forced assimilation (Minnesota Public Radio 11/8)

Related Stories:
Suite101: A stolen generation of Crow Creek Sioux children (11/7)
Lawmakers ask BIA to investigate Indian child welfare cases (11/2)
NPR: Boy was taken from Winnebago Reservation at age 8 (11/1)
NPR Investigates: Foster children finding their way home (10/27)
NPR Investigates: Indian children being taken from tribes (10/26)