Demonstrators outside the US supreme court in November. Joe Biden said: ‘I stand alongside tribal nations as they celebrate today’s supreme court decision.’ Photograph: Mariam Zuhaib/AP
To read more of Maya Yang's article, please click here.
Native Americans, tribal leaders and top Democrats hailed the US supreme court’s decision on Thursday to uphold federal protections for Native American children against removal from their tribal communities for fostering or adoption.
Following the announcement of the court’s 7-2 decision, several tribal leaders commended the supreme court’s ruling, calling it a “major victory for Native tribes, children, and the future of our culture and heritage”.
In a joint statement, the Cherokee Nation principal chief, Chuck Hoskin Jr, Morongo Band of Mission Indians chairman, Charles Martin, Oneida Nation chairman, Tehassi Hill, and Quinault Indian Nation president, Guy Capoeman, said: “It is also a broad affirmation of the rule of law, and of the basic constitutional principles surrounding relationships between Congress and tribal nations.
President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris also hailed the ruling, with Biden saying:“I stand alongside tribal nations as they celebrate today’s supreme court decision. This lawsuit sought to undermine the Indian Child Welfare Act– a vital law I was proud to support … The touchstone law respects tribal sovereignty and protects Native children by helping Native families stay together and, whenever possible, keeping children with their extended families or community who already know them, love them, and can help them understand who they are as Native people and citizens of their tribal nations.”
Comments (0)