Native American Child Protection Act up for first hearing

Wednesday, November 13, 2019  

• WATCH: House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States - Native American Child Protection Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States is holding a legislative hearing on Wednesday morning.

H.R.4957, the Native American Child Protection Act, is the only item on the agenda. The bipartisan bill updates the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, which first became law in 1990 to help tribes and the federal government address child abuse in Indian Country following reports of widespread victimization.

“The federal government has a solemn trust responsibility to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable members of Indigenous communities: children,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona), the chairman of the subcommittee who introduced H.R.4957 on October 31. “Despite this, there are extremely limited resources for Tribes to develop culturally-specific child abuse and neglect treatment, investigation, and prevention programs. That is why I am proud to introduce the Native American Child Protection Act to ensure that Indigenous communities have the resources they need to keep Native American children safe and healthy.”

“Indian Country has lacked adequate resources to identify and address violence towards children for far too long,” added Rep. Paul Cook (R-California), who is the top Republican on the subcommittee and an original co-sponsor of H.R.4957. “This bipartisan legislation will provide funds to ensure that Tribes have the resources they need to protect children from neglect and abuse. I look forward to working with Chairman Gallego to get this bill through the legislative process and signed into law.”

The federal gov has a trust responsibility to ensure Native American kids are protected. Our bill HR4957 will ensure Tribes have the resources they need for culturally-specific abuse & neglect treatment, investigation & prevention programs to keep Native children safe & healthy. pic.twitter.com/z4uPGJr3tH

— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) November 1, 2019

The National Congress of American Indians the largest inter-tribal advocacy organization in the U.S., is welcoming the bill.

“The National Congress of American Indians firmly believes that American Indian and Alaska Native children are the future of Indian Country,” said CEO Kevin Allis, who is a citizen of the Forest County Potawatomi Community. “Tribal governments are responsible for protecting, teaching, and guiding their youth, providing services to families, and creating supportive environments where children can flourish."

"We applaud the introduction of the Native American Child Protection Act and believe it will help tribal nations ensure that American Indian and Alaska Native children and families have access to culturally-appropriate programs services in their own communities," Allis said.

The National Indian Child Welfare Association, which works to prevent child abuse and neglect in tribal communities, also issued a statement in support of the Native American Child Protection Act. Aurene Martin, a citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa who serves on the organization's board, is among the witnesses at the Congressional hearing.

“American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families who experience child abuse or neglect or family violence often have few opportunities to find accessible, culturally-appropriate services to help them address trauma," the organization said. "Furthermore, prevention funding is almost non-existent for this population, removing opportunities to prevent trauma before it happens with at-risk children and families."

"We commend Congressman Gallego for introducing the Native American Child Protection Act to reauthorize three important grant programs that have been in place since 1991 to provide funding for critical services in American Indian and Alaska Native communities," the statement continued. "Our children and families deserve the same opportunities to grow up healthy and strong as other populations, and this legislation will help close the gap in access to funding and services for this vulnerable population.”

According to Gallego and Cook, the main provisions of H.R.4957 will address the following programs:

The House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States hearing on Native American Child Protection Act takes place at 10am Eastern on Wednesday in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. The witness list follows:

Legislative Hearing (November 14, 2019)