On Sovereignty Day, bill important to tribal nations awaits Gov. Walz’s likely signature

As state lawmakers observe tribal nation “Sovereignty Day” (Mon),  a bill to discourage placement of Indian children in non-Native foster homes awaits the likely signature of Governor Tim Walz.  Fostering replaced another practice which persisted into the 1960s:  Duluth Representative Alicia Kozlowski says her Fond Du Lac elders didn’t really talk about it and it wasn’t until her sophomore year in college…

“Shout-out for the Teachers of Color bill:  I had my first Indigenous teacher that I learned about boarding schools, and about the 367 schools in 29 states that, for over 150 years– took our Indigenous children.”

The bill awaiting the governor’s signature will ensure that, even if the U-S Supreme Court strikes down federal regulations, Minnesota’s Native American tribes will still be able to intercede if Indian children are being placed in non-Native foster homes.