Factors and Events Leading to the Passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act.

摘要: The year was 1968 and members of the Devils Lake Sioux Tribe North Dakota were concerned about treatment American Indian children by local county welfare officials. routinely removed from their families placed in foster homes for adoption with non-Indian couples. To make matters worse, all these actions carried out without consultation either tribal officials or community [U.S. Senate Hearings 1974]. Although many other groups had experienced similar but not chosen felt powerless to respond, Community decided challenge actions. They requested assistance Association on Affairs (AAIA) New York, founded 1923 defend rights Indians Alaskan Natives promote social, economic, civic equality communities. AAIA's decision become involved set motion a chain events that ultimately resulted passage Child Welfare Act (ICWA) decade later. circumstances activities led ICWA can be understood context relevant historical background contemporary factors, issues, activities.The Effect European Conquest Children FamiliesAmerican are "born into two relational systems, biological family kinship network such as clan band" [Blanchard & Barsh 1980: 351]. Traditionally, Native "protected society which child-rearing affair, behavioral expectations discipline clearly structured highly valued" [Cross 1986: 285]. impact contact with, eventual dominance of, so profound it affected every aspect traditional society, including relations. Modes economic production exchange, political expression, social reproduction between societies differed radically each parent-child relationships thrown disarray, continuity utility indigenous systems destabilized [Coontz 1988].A Legacy Policies Practices Affecting FamiliesThe prompted AAIA latest manifestations ongoing practices federal state governments private organizations breakup placement various forms out-of-home care. From earliest days republic, one primary intents policy eradicate "Indianness" young people. As far back 1819, Civilization Fund provided education youths purpose "introducing among them habits arts civilization" [Prucha 1975: 33].Later, boarding schools served purpose. These tool designed sever bring assimilation. Instead being returned during school vacations, Caucasians under what known "outing system" [Meriam 1928]. Moreover, when parents would willingly send away, government employees engage practice "kid catching," forcibly taking distant [Coolidge 1977].In times, certain child policies may have been overtly assimilationist, consequences same. In 1958, Bureau (BIA) League America (CWLA) established Adoption Project (IAP) provide adoptive placements whose deemed unable "suitable" home them. …