Opinion

Raymond Foxworth: Spirit Lake Nation crisis rooted in US history





"Dakota children in the social service program of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation into national headlines. The sad and untimely death of two Dakota children, discovered by their mother, has been played out like a mad melodrama. The real losers of this media frenzy are Dakota children, and this could have implications for Native children in social service programs nationally.

The tragic death of these children has played out in the press, with news of BIA “strike” teams called to the reservation to save the day and other political pundits asking for the sovereign nation to answer questions about child welfare on the reservation, and even allegations that the tribal chairman could face charges for neglect and culpability in the matter. It is with some irony that political pundits (and some Native critics) have suggested that a solution to this issue for the betterment of Spirit Lake children is to turn over administration of social services to outside state and federal authorities. The irony of this situation rests in the historical reality that federal and state agencies have also been the source of neglect, mistreatment, and harm when it comes to the welfare of Native children."

Get the Story:
Raymond Foxworth: Who Will Speak for Native Children? (Indian Country Today 9/1)

Related Stories:
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BIA 'strike team' to address child safety at Spirit Lake Nation (8/27)
Editorial: Spirit Lake Nation problems need sharper attention (8/27)
Sen. Conrad loses confidence in Spirit Lake Nation leadership (8/24)
Editorial: Don't let politics harm children on Spirit Lake Nation (8/24)
Republicans killed money for home visits at Spirit Lake Nation (8/23)
Editorial: Spirit Lake Nation defensive in wake of abuse cases (8/13)
IHS rescinds reprimand of employee in Spirit Lake controversy (8/3)
Editorial: IHS should explain reprimand of tribal whistleblower (7/31)
IHS reprimands employee who warned about Spirit Lake children (7/30)
Man charged for murders of Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation children (7/24)
Editorial: Children's safety at risk on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (7/18)
Toddler who died on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation being laid to rest (7/13)
BIA investigates death of baby girl on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (7/11)
Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation faces scrutiny over child welfare woes (7/9)
HHS official blames Spirit Lake Nation for child abuse problems (6/22)
Sen. Hoeven seeks answers on Spirit Lake social services (04/25)
Editorial: A free press is essential, even in a tribal society (4/17)
Deaths of Spirit Lake Dakotah children treated as homicide (05/26)
Spirit Lake mother confirms identities of two slain children (5/25)
Father suspected for deaths of two children at Spirit Lake (5/24)

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