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A non-Native woman in Alaska refuses to abide by a tribal court order to turn an Alaska Native foster child over to the girl’s family members. It’s a blatant disregard of tribal sovereignty even after a notable re-affirmation of the Indian Child Welfare Act by the U.S. Supreme Court. The woman took custody of the child, named Chanel, at the request of the girl’s father, right before he was convicted of murdering Chanel’s mother during a domestic dispute. We’ll look at that case, as well as efforts to bolster ICWA compliance elsewhere.
GUESTS
Antonia Commack (Iñupiaq from the Native Village of Shungnak), best friend of Baby Chanel’s mother
Bossii Opsal (Iñupiaq from the Native Village of Koyuk), Sacramento State University student and social media influencer
Simona Bearcub (citizen of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes), community defense and land defender
Matthew Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and author of the “Turtle Talk” blog
Sydney Tarzwell, staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund
Break 1 Music: Son of the Sun (song) Willie Dunn (artist) Native North America (Vol. 1): Aboriginal Folk, Rock, And Country 1966-1985 (album)
Break 2 Music: Bear Beats (song) Cheevers Toppah (artist) True Melodies (album)
If the courts said so, then what is the hold up? I wonder if she’s even been taking care of properly. Don’t you have law enforcement to forcibly make this woman hand over Chanel?
Heartbreaking story and it highlights the disregard for Tribal sovereignty, concurrent civil jurisdiction, and lack of law enforcement services, mutual respect and so mny other issues. Good to hear you on there Sydney and Matthew!
I wish non-Native people would stop trying to keep Native children. If they want children look into your same nationality as yourself. Control, that’s what it is all about. Non-Native people have no understanding of our culture and our way of life. There is no race in this world that is better than the other. Native people are unique with regards to our traditions, beliefs, and connection to mother earth.
The non-Native Alaska woman needs to look in the mirror and see what evil looks like.