[Martina Rose]

Hello All.....I am new to this site. My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for 4 years. We have decided to look into adoption. Mark really wants to explore the option of adopting a Native American child. I think this is great! He is 1/16th Cherokee, but we have bascially been told it will be impossible for us because we are not Native American enough. Is there anyone out there that may have some insight into this issue? Where do we begin? Thanks for an help. Martina

[anina]

Hi there! I think if you are enrolled as a na you are qualified. Hope that helps

[BuckarooBanzai]

When we started the adoption path, we said anything but Native American. At the time, there was a case where an adoption involving a Navajo went bust here in AZ. We seen the potential problems and did not want to have that over our heads for the rest of the child's life.

When a Native American child is involved, the respective Tribal Court is also involved and must OK the adoption. Now the catch is that the Tribe can overturn an adoption at anytime (simple terms as I understand it). The case with the Navajo Tribe occurred 5 years after placement.

If you want to pursue a Native American child, bless you. Just make sure you are fully aware of all the legal issues and possible complications.

[Missourimomtobe]

We met with our attorney last week, and one of the issues covered was Native American adoptions. (He handles adoptions from Oklahoma and has had several NA adoptions.)

He told us that although the tribe could indeed veto an adoption, they typically do not if the prospective parents show a sincere interest in ensuring that the child will be educated about his/her roots. For example, some of his clients registered the child with the tribe, enrolled the child in summer camps with the tribe, and participated in various activities with the tribe.

Per the attorney, the tribes are just as interested in making sure the child has a happy healthy home as the parents are but they also want to be sure the child knows his heritage. I suggest finding an attorney in your area that deals with these kinds of adoptions regularly, get their input on how best to approach the situation. Don't be discouraged! Bobbalove is adopting in the St Louis area and is involved in an NA adoption that wasn't known until after the baby was born and the birthfather entered the picture. However, after legal consultation, Bobbalove is (hopefully) heading to court to have the papers signed and head home with the new baby, this week, I think.

Not sure what case in Arizona you are referring to but it sounds like the legal aspects of the adoption were not properly dotted on the right i's! To coin a phrase from a wise woman, may much baby dust sprinkle on you!

Namaste,

[Martina Rose]

Thank you all for your help. I will keep looking back in case someone else has some thoughts and/or experiences to share. I am getting very excited about this. I think one of the most wonderful things about adopting from other cultures is the experience you get to share with the child as they learn who they are. Both my husband and I would treasure the opportunities presented by the tribe for a child. I am getting goosebumps just thinking about it. I believe our lifestyle and values would mesh very well with many of the philosophies important to allow a child of Native American anscestry to truly be a part of their culture. Anyhow....hugs and such to you all.

[joskimo]

My husband is 1/2 NA and we were led to beleive that we'd be an easy and quick match for an NA child. 6 months later we've never gotten one call. We switched to domestic and are expecting an AA daughter in a month.

Good luck to you --

[SJRandy]

My wife and I just started the adoption process, and because of our family makeup we are open to adopt not only a white child, Hispanic, and Filipino child, but also Native American. As a member of the Choctaw Nation out of Oklahoma, the people that we are going through were really excited. I was able to show them by CDIB card that shows proof of my heritage and they said that our interest has just gone up because of the NA ancestry.