All My Relations Podcast Native Children Belong in Native Homes
Mar 8, 2023
Brooke Pepion Swaney, a Blackfeet Nation citizen and filmmaker, teams up with Kendra Milchnick-Potter, a Lummi Nation member and theater artist, to discuss the powerful documentary 'Daughter of a Lost Bird.' They delve into Kendra's journey of reconnecting with her Lummi heritage after being adopted. The conversation highlights the impact of the Indian Child Welfare Act, the importance of preserving tribal ties, and the emotional weight of Kendra's reunions. Tune in for insights on identity, cultural connections, and the urgent need to support Indigenous rights.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Friendship Sparked A Decade-Long Film
- Brooke Pepion Swaney recounts meeting Kendra and deciding to make a decade-long documentary following Kendra's search for origins and community.
- They initially thought Kendra might be from Alaska but later learned she was Lummi and reconnected with her birth mother April.
ICWA Protects Political Sovereignty
- ICWA preserves tribal citizenship and government-to-government relationships, not merely cultural ties.
- Keeping Native children in kinship systems supports identity and better long-term outcomes, according to Brooke and Adrienne.
Paperwork Gaps Undermined Protections
- Many adoptees fell through ICWA's reach because their parents lacked tribal enrollment paperwork despite eligibility.
- The Indian Adoption Project's assimilation strategy created generational gaps in identity and tribal connection.
