Sisters in the Wind(104)
In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (Haaland v. Brackeen). While this decision keeps ICWA intact, the two dissenting justices (Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito) provide breadcrumbs in their written opinions for opponents to strategize and ready for the next battle. There is a popular saying, “The race is not to the swift but to those who endure.” Those opposed to ICWA have deep pockets and a singular mission to control precious resources.
It was never about the children.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A book is the ultimate group project. My third novel has been my most intense, heart-wrenching, and difficult writing experience. Sisters in the Wind would not have been possible without the help and support of so many people. Miigwech!
Faye Bender
Literary Agent
The Book Group
Jess Harold, Editor
Ann Marie Wong, Editorial Director Holt Books for Young Readers Emma Vicari, Assistant
Will Tallackson, Super Fan
Henry J. Boulley Sr., Dad
MACMILLAN CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING GROUP
PUBLICITY
Molly Ellis, Vice President Morgan Rath, Senior Publicist Sara Elroubi, Publicity Assistant SCHOOL AND LIBRARY
Mary Van Akin, Executive Director Grace Tyler, S&L Assistant PRODUCTION
Allene Cassagnol, Associate Director MARKETING
Teresa Ferraiolo, Senior Manager Nicole Schaefer, Senior Manager DESIGN
Aurora Parlagreco, Art Director MANAGING AND PRODUCTION EDITORIAL
David Briggs, Vice President Alexei Esikoff, Senior Managing Editor Ilana Worrell, Senior Production Editor SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
Erin Burggraf, Pokagon Potawatomi; foster parent; Foster Welfare Committee member, Michigan Indian Legal Services Gregory Carl; (retired) special agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation Elizabeth Chambers; director, Friend of the Court, Chippewa County, Michigan Elizabeth Evans, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community; research faculty, University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Allie Greenleaf Maldonado, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians; former chief judge, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Christine McPherson, Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa; fellow, The Annie E. Casey Foundation; former director, Anishnaabek Community and Family Services Carla Sineway, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe; former director, Anishnaabeg Child and Family Services, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Sheila Smoke-Cleveland “Nizu Mani Wii,” Ho-Chunk Nation; former foster child Diana Vert; (retired) child welfare supervisor, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Chippewa County AND GICHI MIIGWECH (A SPECIAL THANK-YOU) Barb Smutek
Bahweting Anishinaabe
For being the best rez girl ever Emily Kewageshig
Saugeen Ojibwe Nation
Artist and Visual Storyteller For the gorgeous cover!
Mary Pelcher
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Bonnie Ekdahl
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Gimiwan & Family
Melissa & Nathan Isaac
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ICWA A Child of the Indian Race: A Story of Return (Minnesota Historical Society Press) Memoir by Sandy White Hawk, Sicangu Lakota Facing the Future: The Indian Child Welfare Act at 30 (Michigan State University Press) Edited by Matthew L. M. Fletcher, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Wenona T. Singel, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians; and Kathryn E. Fort National Indian Child Welfare Association, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization: nicwa.org