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Tribal leaders from coast to coast are watching the U.S. Supreme Court and bracing for the worst.
Matt Laslo reports from Washington on the foundational rights leaders fear the Roberts Court may strip away from tribes.
Tribes are still reeling from last year’s Supreme Court’s decision that greatly expanded the power state governments have over prosecuting non-Natives who commit crimes in Indian Country.
That case was Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerto and it still haunts William Lowe, the Speaker of Oklahoma’s Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
“That’s the biggest issue right now with us. And that’s something we’re concentrating on.”
Tribal leaders are now bracing for the upcoming Court ruling on the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
With the far-right tilt of this Supreme Court, Speaker Lowe is praying for the best while bracing for the worst as the Court decides whether an act aimed at American Indian and Alaska Native children is actually discriminatory on the basis of race.
“Very. I’m pretty nervous, because now that the state and feds can come onto a Rez. and arrest our folks, that decision last time is what kind of makes us even more nervous. We look at that as our sovereignty too and now this ICWA is really testing it.”
Mark Macarro is tribal chair of the Pechanga Band of Indians in southern California and he’s NCAI’s first vice-president.
Like most Native leaders, he’s nervous.
Though he’s hoping the outcry from tribes last year will soften the court to their pleas. And he’s hoping Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch—who served as a federal judge in the sprawling, western 10th Circuit—has more sway with his colleagues this year than last.
“It turns Indian law as we know it upside down. I know—we know, collectively—that Justice Gorsuch knows all about Indian law. I hope his voice prevails enough, so I’m hopeful. But I don’t want to be Pollyanna-ish either.”
The Court’s decision is expected to be handed down in June.
Lady Gaga is a strong advocate for mental health.
She created an organization called Born This Way Foundation with her mother around ten years ago to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Hannah Bissett from our flagship station KNBA has the story of new developments within the foundation and its bright future.
Lady Gaga is a famous singer who has a platform that speaks about kindness, anti-bullying, and awareness of mental health struggles.
Her platform helped form the Born This Way Foundation, its mission began with spreading kindness.
The foundation created a new advisory board of young people taking on the task of creating mental health resources.
All of the board members have different educational and cultural backgrounds.
“Indigenous youth that’s gonna see me on there and the mission we are doing, they’re going to feel heard and that sends hope, right?”
That’s River Ward who’s a member of the Mi’kmaq Eel Ground First Nation (Natoaganeg) and works as a prevention and outreach coordinator.
Ward is one of 31 Born This Way Foundation board members.
Ward hones in on the importance the board could have on making future changes to help heal generational wounds.
“We are here to help we are here to listen to any Indigenous person who might be struggling that there is support with love and care and understanding and that our voices will always be heard.”
Board members will serve a year-long term.
It is composed of people ages 15 to 24.
The board will create resources for communities around the world to utilize and emphasize kindness, and understanding around mental health.
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