Joanne Shenandoah: Protect our Native children from violence

We know what is number one in all American’s lives—and that is our children. Yet, tragically some children in the United States are too often forgotten and living in systems without equal access to opportunity. This is all too evident in Indian Country.

Despite the heroic efforts of tribal leaders and governments, for American Indian and Alaska Native children born today violence is an all too common reality. Failed promises on the part of the federal government – including federal restrictions on tribes being able to protect their own people and chronic underfunding of programs – have led to generations of trauma and dire challenges, such as poverty, suicide, substance abuse and incarceration. These challenges are preventing Native American children from having the same opportunity as other American children to live happy, healthy and successful lives.

Despite all of that, there is hope. We can work together to help make Indian Country a safer place for all children.

The solution is not all that complex—the federal government must fulfill its promises. We must respect tribal sovereignty, and support and revamp programs that are intended to serve Native American children. We have to fix a broken system. We must work as partners with tribes to expand funding and make a commitment to reform, so that children and communities exposed to violence can heal and thrive.