Deconstructing the “Baby Veronica” Case: Implications for the Future of the Indian Child Welfare Act
Friday, February 21, 5:15-6:45 p.m.
Yale Law School, New Haven, CT
Panelists:
- Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians
- Joel West Williams, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
In June 2013, the Supreme Court decided Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl,
a widely publicized case involving the adoption of a Cherokee child by
non-Natives over the objections of her Cherokee father. At the heart of
the controversy was the Indian Child Welfare Act, a federal law designed
to protect the best interests of Native children and promote the
stability and security of Indian tribes and families. This panel will
explore the history behind this landmark law, the current landscape of
Indian child welfare, and the implications of the “Baby Veronica”
decision for the future placement of Native children. Additionally,
panelists will discuss how their organizations collaborated with both
tribal and non-tribal stakeholders to develop legal, media, and other
advocacy strategies for the case as part of the Tribal Supreme Court
Project.
Registration: http://www.rsvpbook.com/event.php?439305
Note from Trace: I will be there and will let you know details afterwards on this blog... If you remember I wrote several posts on this blog and was published nationally in Indian Country Today Media about this case. I conferred with NCAI as well. My feelings now? I believe the Dept. Of Justice needs to interview Veronica's birthmother about her dealings with the Nightlight Adoption Agency. We need the truth and I do not believe we have it yet. In my humble view, this case is not over.
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This is an awesome thing and I'm proud to be Native American. I was recently registered with the Chickasaw Tribe. www.IamNativeAmerican.com was a great help through the registration process.
ReplyDeleteJim, that is truly wonderful news! Congrats!
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