Native Couple Sues to Give Kid to Whites

A Native American couple from the Twin Cities is suing for the right to give their baby up for adoption to a white couple without telling their tribe. Minnesota law requires tribes to be notified of any impending adoptions of Native American children. The couple, identified only as John and Jane Doe, say in court papers that they worry the tribe would try to find Native parents for the child. “Indian parents are the only parents in the state that have that duty to notify,” said lawyer Mark Fiddler. “In an adoption, all of that information is private and confidential. If you’re Indian, that has to be surrendered to the tribe.” Proponents of the law say adoption by Native American couples is better for the child because it helps connect them with their culture.