Ampersand Families works throughout the state of Minnesota, on the traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of the Dakota and Anishinaabe people. Minnesota is home to 11 distinct tribal nations. Doing our work with integrity requires that we honestly name the fact that our state and nation’s history includes violent displacement of Indigenous people, seizure of their lands and systemic efforts to destroy their communities, cultures and families. The forcible removal of Native children from their families, tribes, and communities to boarding schools and massive campaigns for adoption into white families for the sole purpose of cultural genocide are the pre-cursors to the disturbing disproportionate representation of Native children in our current child welfare system.
Ampersand Families stands firmly in support of the Indian Child Welfare Act and the protections it affords Indian children, families and nations. We commit to do our work in a way that will honor Native children and families for generations – both forward and back.
