Home » General » Indian Child Welfare Act Case Disappoints GRIC

Sedona AZ (August 12, 2016) – The Gila River Indian Community is disappointed in the August 11, 2016, decision by the Arizona Court of Appeals regarding the adoptive status of a 2-year-old child, said Gila River Indian Community member and its Governor, Stephen R. Lewis, in the following GRIC issued release:

“The net effect of today’s appellate decision, if upheld, will be to tear a small child away from her siblings and from her Akimel O’otham heritage,” said Gov. Stephen R. Lewis. “Our Community believes this is not at all in the best interest of the child, nor does it represent the intent of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

“The Community’s legal team is considering every avenue available for appeal of this ruling. In this case and in other ICWA-related litigation, our tribe’s leaders and our attorneys will continue to work to protect the welfare of Indian children and the unity of Indian families.

“Nationally, Native American children continue to be removed from their birth homes by state authorities at much higher rates than non-Native children. At the same time, the non-Indian adoption industry and groups like the Goldwater Institute continue to prey on vulnerable Indian families by attacking ICWA.

“We will not bend in the face of such attacks,” Gov. Lewis vowed. “We will continue to work to protect the sovereignty of tribes as expressed by ICWA. And our Community will do everything possible to preserve the stability and security of our families and our children. Our people expect nothing less and we will fight every day to meet that expectation.”

Gila River Indian Community, located on 372,000 acres in south-central Arizona and home to the indigenous people of O’Odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa). The people are known for their farms, deep traditions, basket weaving and pottery. The Tribe is comprised of seven districts, the administrative offices and departments are located in Sacaton, and serve the people throughout these seven community districts. 100% of its profits from gaming and 17 other Enterprises are utilized by the community providing services and opportunities to achieve the highest quality of life.