The Bureau of Indian Affairs will take control of social services from the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation of North Dakota.

The tribe had a self-determination contract with the BIA. But the tribe requested a retrocession amid scrutiny of child welfare services on the reservation.

“The decision allowing the BIA to take back the Spirit Lake Tribe’s contracted social services program was made after careful consideration of what was best for all concerned, particularly with regard to the health and safety of their children,” acting assistant secretary Del Laverdure said in a press release. “I want to thank the Spirit Lake leadership for working with us over the past months, and for their willingness to recognize this action as an opportunity to rebuild their social services program for the future.”

Get the Story:
BIA to take control of Spirit Lake social services programs (The Fargo Forum 9/15)
At Spirit Lake, an effort to let children know which adults can’t be trusted (The Grand Forks Herald 9/16)

An Opinion:
John Ford: Too many children fall through agency’s cracks (The Grand Forks Herald 9/17)

Related Stories:
Spirit Lake Nation social service director was in foster care (9/13)
BIA reviews Spirit Lake Nation self-determination contracts (9/11)
Investigation continues into death of child on Spirit Lake Nation (9/6)
US Attorney wants to provide help to Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (9/5)
Editorial: Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation blames everyone for abuse (9/5)
Trial delayed for man accused of murdering Spirit Lake children (9/4)
Raymond Foxworth: Spirit Lake Nation crisis rooted in US history (9/3)
BIA reportedly sets deadline over Spirit Lake Nation contracts (8/28)
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)
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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)