South Dakota governor responds to NPR's ICWA investigation

Tuesday, January 17, 2012  

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) said NPR's investigation into Indian Child Welfare Act cases was inaccurate and biased.

Daugaard said he didn't learn anything useful from the series, which ran in October and was critical of the state's handling of Indian child welfare cases. He said the reporter, whom he refused to meet, decided to portray the state in a negative light before the story was written.

“I think it’s very unfortunate that NPR decided that they were going to create a very sensationalistic story,” Daugaard told The Mitchell Daily Republic. “And it’s also unfortunate because it’s such a complex area.”

Daugaard said his media office has been working with NPR's ombudsman to address his concerns. He previously served as CEO of the Children’s Home Society, which has received contracts from the state to handle child welfare cases.

Get the Story:
Gov.: No useful data in NPR report on Indian children (The Mitchell Daily Republic 1/17)

Related Stories:
Native Sun News: ICWA cases a big concern in South Dakota (11/18)
Lawmakers ask BIA to investigate Indian child welfare cases (11/02)
NPR: Boy was taken from Winnebago Reservation at age 8 (11/01)
NPR Investigates: Foster children finding their way home (10/27)
NPR Investigation: Indian children being taken from tribes (10/26)