Village of Chalkyitsik v. M.S.F.

RABINO WITZ, Judge.

OPINION

Dissatisfied with the ways in which state courts treat Indian parents and children, Congress enacted the Indian Child Welfare Act. This case requires us to interpret several of that Act’s provisions.

I

J.R.S., the child whose status and future are at issue in this appeal, was born nine years ago in the Fort Wainwright army hospital in Fairbanks, Alaska. His mother soon moved with him to Louisiana, but problems developed and the State of Louisiana took custody of him in September 1976. Since then he has been in and out of foster homes. His maternal grandmother has cared…