"Adopting" non-Indians as relatives.....

[SuzzeQ4]

. Stealing Indian children and disconnecting them from their roots and culture was as violent and genocidal an act as anything the military ever carried out.
Although things have improved with the Indian Child Welfare Act, it is not enforced to the degree it should be and children continue to be lost.

You nailed it. It actually is considered an act of genocide under the geneva convention. And your right, it's not enforced. Some of us in our community have tried to keep local ndn kids in ndn homes but it's a hard fight, and has only been sussecful with 2 families. Of course th community worked with the kids res, but the CAS (I live in Ontario, but it's the same both sides of the boarder) doesn't care.

I was adopted out, so was my real Mom. Her parents wouldn't send her to the schools, & finally the social workers got her & adopted her up into Canada (She was from Standing Rock). Being a 2nd generation scoop, getting back is hard. I hired a private detective to find my Mom. He found my sister, but not my Mom, he believes she doesn't have an address. And without my Mom to tell me her real last name no one wants to help me. I have alot of identifing info on her, that would help someone who knew her family identify her but people want the papers (which I need my Mom for). Not that I want anything more then family.
And this is how the whole adopting out thing has been sucessful.
There are alot of similarities betwen those who were adopted out & those who were placed in the schools. It would be good if we'd all ban togetherand adress the issues caused by both situations. But I guess the plight of those adopted out will be delt with when we are old.
Anyway DaCotau, if you or anyone else wants to continue this conversation, cause it would probably be a good one, maybe start a new thread, I'll be there with my 2 cents for sure.
Suzze

[DaCotau]

"DaCotau, if you or anyone else wants to continue this conversation, cause it would probably be a good one, maybe start a new thread, I'll be there with my 2 cents for sure"
Suzze

One of the reasons I did not start a thread on the residential/mission school & adoptions issue specifically is because it is so painful. Although so many of us share this grief it is difficult to discuss. But because of your response Suzze I will go ahead and start a thread, I think it is a good idea.