Nearly three quarters of the children in South Dakota’s foster care system are Native American. That’s in a state with an overall Native population of 13%. And despite the requirements of federal law, a large portion of those children are placed in non-Native households, potentially severing their connections to family and culture. The lack of Native foster parents is one factor. But so is the lack of staff in tribal foster care programs. A comprehensive report by the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and South Dakota Searchlight offers an in-depth look at the causes and consequences of South Dakota’s foster system disparities.
To join the discussion, call 1-800-996-2848
A mural of an infant holding hands with an elder on the side of a boarded up apartment complex in Eagle Butte, S.D. (photo: Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight).
