‘White Christians’ Adopting Native American Children Is ‘Genocide,’ State Rep Says

A Democratic Minnesota legislator said it is a form of “genocide” for “white Christians” to adopt Native American children.

“I’m sick of white Christians adopting our babies and rejoicing. It’s a really sad day when that happens. It means the genocide continues,” Rep. Heather Keeler, DFL-Moorhead, said on Facebook.

“If you care about our babies, advocate against the genocide! Help the actual issues impacting Indigenous parents, stop stealing our babies and changing their names under the impression that you are helping,” she continued.

She then ended her post with: “White saviors are the worst!”

Keeler is the lead author of a bill to incorporate provisions of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) into state law. {snip}

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According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, ICWA recognizes “Tribal jurisdiction over decisions for their Indian children” in state child-custody proceedings. {snip}

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“Raising our next generation and keeping them in our Indigenous families is essential to preserving our culture, language, traditions, and way of life,” Keeler said in a press release after the hearing.

“{snip} Our next seven generations are sacred to our community, and taking them away and stripping them of their identity is a form of genocide. {snip} We must protect our family lineage and the existence of our tribal nations.”