Protect families of tribal heritage - Our Brothers and Sisters in our Republic - Sign Petition

Friends!

Children are being exploited - used for additional power and money, many times against the wishes of parents who are helpless under U.S. law to prevent it.

Christian birth parents, foster parents, and adoptive parents are all affected by this law. Christian parents, who have wanted to give their children up for adoption rather than abort them, have been told they can not choose Christian homes for their children.

We have 30 days to get 25,000 signatures in order for our petition to be reviewed by the White House.

November is National Adoption Month - Let's do this Petition as our part in helping children this month. We need 6250 signatures a week to meet that goal. Let's pray for God's help and get started.

On Nov 19, Nat'l Adoption Day, families, adoption advocates, policymakers, judges and volunteers will come together and celebrate adoption in communities across the nation. We are setting a goal of 10,000 signatures by that date.

Please Sign the Petition and Use every method you have to share this link - http://wh.gov/bvZ - If everyone could get just 10 people to sign the petition and share it with at least 3 of their friends, we'll have it made!

Thank you friends!

TEXT OF PETITION:

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Ensure that Children of tribal heritage are guaranteed protection equal to that of any other child in the United States

Across America, children who had never been near a reservation nor involved in tribal customs have been taken from homes they know and love and placed with strangers chosen by tribal social services. This includes MULTI-racial children with minimal heritage.

Because of poorly thought out law called the 'Indian Child Welfare Act';

1) Kids have been removed from safe, loving homes and placed in dangerous ones.
2) Some families, Indian and non-Indian, have felt threatened by tribal gov't and have had no money to get legal help.
3) Equal opportunities for adoption, safety and stability are not always allowed to children of all heritages.
4) Constitutional right of parents to make choices for their families is being interfered with. Some tribal families don't want to be on the reservation. 

SIGN AT http://wh.gov/bvZ  

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All Children Deserve to Feel Safe -

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"Suffer the Children to Come unto Me"

Please help CAICW Advocate, Educate, Assist, and Defend

http://www.firstgiving.com/caicw/Event/AdoptionRetainerFund

Deborah Maddox, acting Director of the BIA Office of Tribal Services in 1993, once said Congress intended the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

“to protect Indian children from removal from their tribes and to assure that
tribes are given the opportunity to raise Indian children in a manner which
reflects the unique values of Indian culture."

Advocates of ICWA point to the devastation suffered by children of tribal heritage when, years ago, they were forcefully removed from homes they loved and forced to stay at boarding schools. The trauma those children and families experienced was, indeed, devastating.

However, in the implementation of the ICWA, the exact same thing has been happening to children in reverse. What has to be acknowledged is that we live in a migratory, multi-cultural society. This means that many children who fall under the jurisdiction of the Indian Child Welfare Act have more than one heritage, and many times are predominantly of another heritage, and/or have family who not only haven’t any connection to the Indian Reservation, but have specifically chosen not to participate in the reservation system.

Though some argue that ICWA has safeguards to prevent misuse, scores of multi-racial children have been negatively affected by its application. Letters from birth parents, grandparents, foster families, and pre-adoptive families concerning their children hurt by misapplication of ICWA can be read at ~ http://www.caicw.org/familystories.html

There is no inborn difference between persons of tribal heritage and other persons. Any emotionally healthy child, no matter their heritage, will be devastated when they are taken from their familiar homes and forced to live with strangers.

Even children of 100% tribal heritage can be devastated if taken from the only home they know and love, no matter the heritage, and placed into a home they know nothing about.

In the words of Dr. William Allen, former Chair, US Comm. On Civil Rights (1989) and Emeritus Professor, Political Science MSU;

“... We are talking about our brothers and our sisters. We’re talking about what happens to people who share with us an extremely important identity. And that identity is the identity of free citizens in a Republic…" (Re: The Indian Child Welfare Act, September 20, 2008, Wahkon, MN)

Consequent to this Congressional error in understanding the practical aspects of the ICWA, dozens of adoptions are held up every year. Some of these adoptive homes have had the children since infancy and are the only homes the children know. However, even simple adoptions can be expensive and many families aren’t prepared for this additional impediment. Time and again families have contacted the Christian Alliance for Indian Child Welfare (CAICW) to ask for help because they don’t have the funds needed to hire attorney’s to defend their children. Some families, after mortgaging their homes and having nothing else to use, have been forced to give up the fight for their children.

- Children have been removed from safe, loving homes and been placed into dangerous situations by Social Services.
- Some Indian and non-Indian families have felt threatened by tribal government.
- Some have had to take out additional mortgage on their homes and endure lengthy legal processes in attempt to protect their children.
- Equal opportunities for adoption, safety and stability are not available to children of all heritages.
- The Constitutional right of parents to make life choices for their children, for children of Indian heritage to associate freely, and for children of Indian heritage to enjoy Equal Protection has in many cases been denied.

Saturday, November 20, 2010 is National Adoption Day. Support Families nationally in defending their children from unreasonable impediment to their adoptions by helping raise $50,000 for ten $5000 Attorney retainer fees for ten Adoptive Families. These would be families that are in the midst of adopting children they have had physical custody of over a long term or from infancy, or stable ‘relative families’ attempting to retain or regain custody within the extended family – whether or not said family is enrollable with a tribe.

The “Fund Attorney Retainers for 10 Families” Drive begins on National Adoption Day, November 20, 2010 and ends on December 31, 2010. The Fund website can be found through FirstGiving.com at http://www.firstgiving.com/caicw/Event/AdoptionRetainerFund

The Christian Alliance for Indian Child Welfare (CAICW) has been advocating for families affected by the Indian Child Welfare Act since 2004 and is the only National org advocating for these families. Our advocacy is both Judicial and Legislative, as well as a prayer resource and shoulder to cry on.

Funds raised from this event will be used to assist up to 10 families in obtaining the legal assistance they need in order to complete their adoptions.

Additional informational links:


Legal and Constitutional concerns re: ICWA http://www.caicw.org/icw.html


Letters from Affected Families: http://www.caicw.org/familystories.html


ICWA Case Law: http://www.caicw.org/caselaw.html

#links

Take your Family on an Exciting Faith-based Family Adventure this Summer

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Join us for a truly faith-based Family Bible camp this summer next to the Glacier Mountains in northern Montana.

Mjorud Family Bible Camp, an evangelistic, prayerful, Bible based ministry, came into being during the Charismatic Movement of the 60's & 70's, with the first one being in the summer of 1969. Although not affiliated with the AofG, it found a home at Glacier Bible Camp; an Assembly of God Camp ground in Hungry Horse, Montana. There, it grew from a small group of about 70 people to as many as 1,000, with an average attendance of about 600.

Mjorud Camp has operated for years without charge to the hundreds of diverse families who have attended and continues to do so. Families received housing, three full meals a day, solid speakers, prayer, music, sports, hiking, fellowship and rest at no cost. Nightly, the ministry made a request for free will offerings. Every year, by God's Grace, they met their budget. Yet, there has never been pressure to donate.

Twenty years ago I told Pastor Mjorud that if not for this camp, my family wouldn't be able to afford going to any family Bible camp. He responded, "That's why we do it."

The camp has historically had a strong conviction that we are to believe and proclaim that the whole Bible IS the Word of God, and then to actually DO God's Word in our daily lives, homes, churches, businesses and governments.
The results have been manifold as many came to the reality of being Born Again and experienced the powerful touch of the Holy Spirit.

After 30 years under Pastor Mjorud's leadership, he and the rest of those in leadership retired from the camp ministry in 1998, passing the reigns on to new and separate ministry. Pastor Mjorud went to be with our Lord Jesus the next year. Then, 9 years later, some asked about having a 10 Year Reunion. After praying and consulting with many that had previously attended the Camp, several members of the former leadership agreed and the Camp was held in 2008. God richly blessed each of us.

Mjorud Family Bible Camp is scheduled again this summer, August 15-19, in Hungry Horse, Montana. The Family Camp continues to rent the Glacier Bible campground for the week, where there are cabins, lodge's, camping spaces, a cafeteria, and large sanctuary available, as well as playground, miniature golf, and close proximity to Glacier National Park.

The program format is basically the same as always: classes, music, sports, prayer, etc. for all ages with Holy Spirit anointed speakers and leaders, having liberty in the Spirit for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to operate - and wonderful fellowship!

Most importantly, it is a chance to pull away from the business of the world and spend precious time in worship, prayer, discipleship, and fellowship. We've always come away blessed for having taken the time.

So in the words of the organizers, "Come and renew acquaintances with old friends - and/or make new ones. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Expect great things from our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ as we gather to honor, worship, and learn from Him."

Mjorud camp is Christian, evangelical, and non-denominational, and praying fervently for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit this year.  Visit - http://caicw.org/Mjorud_Camp.html - to find out more or to register.

Looking forward to seeing you there! .

Mjorud Family Bible Camp, August 15-19, 2010

.There's still time to sign up for a truly faith-based Family Bible camp. Mjorud Family Bible Camp, an evangelistic, prayerful, Bible based ministry, has operated for years without charge to the hundreds of diverse families who have attended and continues to do so. Families received housing, three full meals a day, solid speakers, prayer, music, sports, hiking, fellowship and rest at no cost. Nightly, the ministry made a request for free will offerings. Every year, by God's Grace, they met their budget. Yet, there has never been pressure to donate.

Twenty years ago I told Pastor Mjorud that if not for this camp, my family wouldn't be able to afford going to any family Bible camp. He responded, "That's why we do it."

Pastor Mjorud retired the Family Camp twelve years ago, and two years later, he passed away. But there is interest to continue.

Mjorud Family Bible Camp is scheduled again this summer, August 15-19, in Hungry Horse, Montana. The Family Camp rents the A of G Bible campground for the week, where there are cabins, lodge's, camping spaces, a cafeteria, and large sanctuary available, as well as playground, miniature golf, and close proximity to Glacier National Park.

Most importantly, it is a chance to pull away from the business of the world and spend precious time in worship, prayer, discipleship, and fellowship. We've always come away blessed for having taken the time.

So in the words of the organizers, "Come and renew acquaintances with old friends - and/or make new ones. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Expect great things from our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ as we gather to honor, worship, and learn from Him."

Mjorud camp is Christian, evangelical, and non-denominational, and praying fervently for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit this year. Visit - caicw.org/Mjorud_Camp.html - to register.
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Faith Based Family Bible Camp Aug. 16-20, 2009

There's still time to sign up for one last summer Family camp. Mjorud Family Bible Camp, an evangelistic, prayerful, Bible based ministry, has operated for years without charge to the hundreds of diverse families who have attended and continues to do so. Families received housing, three full meals a day, solid speakers, prayer, music, sports, hiking, fellowship and rest at no cost. Nightly, the ministry made a request for free will offerings. There has never been any pressure to donate.

Twenty years ago I told Pastor Mjorud that if not for this camp, my family wouldn't be able to afford going to any family Bible camp. He responded, "That's why we do it."

Pastor Mjorud retired the Family Camp eleven years ago, and two years later, he passed away. But there has been enough interest to continue.

Mjorud Family Bible Camp is scheduled again this summer, August 16-20, in Hungry Horse, Montana. The Family Camp rents the A of G Bible campground for the week, where there are cabins, lodge's, camping spaces, a cafeteria, and large sanctuary available, as well as playground, miniature golf, and close proximity to Glacier National Park.

So in the words of the organizers, "Come and renew acquaintances with old friends - and/or make new ones. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Expect great things from our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ as we gather to honor, worship, and learn from Him."

Mjorud camp is Christian, evangelical, and non-denominational, and praying fervently for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit this year. Visit www.caicw.org/Family_Bible_Camp.html to register.
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Truly Faith Based Family Bible Camp: Hungry Horse, Montana

For over thirty years, Mjorud Family Bible Camp operated without charge to the hundreds of diverse families that attended. There, families received housing, three full meals a day, as well as amazing speakers, prayer, music, sports, hiking, fellowship and rest at no cost. Nightly, the ministry made a request for free will offerings. There was never any pressure to donate, and no questions were asked or record kept if one didn't.

Amazingly, without fail, enough funds were brought in each year to meet the budget. In fact, more than enough was consistently donated. Did they save the excess for the next year? No. Genuinely a faith-based non-profit, the excess was annually donated to a mission in Sri Lanka.

Twenty years ago I told Pastor Mjorud that if not for this camp, my family wouldn't be able to afford going to any family Bible camp. He responded, "That's why we do it."

Pastor Mjorud retired the Family Camp eleven years ago, and two years later, he passed away. But last year, on the tenth anniversary of the retirement, families having missed the blessing of such a truly faith-based ministry, gathered again at Glacier Bible Camp in Hungry Horse Montana. The families, blessed by the renewed experience, asked the organizers if this could again become an annual event.

So the Mjorud Family Bible Camp is scheduled again this summer, August 16-20 in Hungry Horse, Montana. The Family Camp rents the A of G Bible campground for the week, where there are cabins, lodge's, camping spaces, a cafeteria, and large sanctuary available, as well as playground, miniature golf, and close proximity to Glacier National Park.

So in the words of the organizers, "Come and renew acquaintances with old friends - and/or make new ones. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Expect great things from our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ as we gather to honor, worship, and learn from Him."

Mjorud camp is Christian, evangelical, and non-denominational, and praying fervently for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit this year. Visit www.caicw.org/Family_Bible_Camp.html to register.

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