Title: Upholding Tribal Sovereignty: The Supreme Court's Decision

Honoring Native Nations

Summary:
The Supreme Court honored tribal nations with their decision" is an inspiring opinion
piece authored by Hilary Tompkins. As a member of Navajo Nation and former Solicitor
of US Department Interior whose journey began as an adoptee into a non-Native
American family makes this article insightful around laws pertaining to Indian Child
Welfare Act (ICWA), which got recently debated upon. Tompkins beautifully narrates her
personal experiences of adopting back her Navajo identity at later stages of life after
feeling disconnected due to being raised in a non-Native American home. This narrative
provides great context as she helps us understand how ICWA was enacted in 1978
keeping crucial aspects such as keeping Tribal cultures, traditions & political sovereignty
safe at heart that got lost due to removing Native American children forcibly from their
people. The Supreme Court decision- which is one of the broader verdicts released
recently, confirmed that ICWA's constitutionality is essential to maintain that bond
between Native children and their communities while fostering cultural identity. Despite
growing opposition implying negative racial overtones, Tompkins firmly believes that
this act identifies more with preserving indigenous heritage than racial proclamations
based solely on familial lines. The article also highlights how critical tribal sovereignty is
for any Indian nation's welfare and how involving them in adoption processes becomes
crucial as they then get an active role in addressing governance needs while defining
futuristic goals. Tompkins explains the importance of this decision and shares her
personal experience. To accept the Supreme Court's acknowledgment of tribal nations
and their citizens. She thanks to God that Native children now will have the opportunity
to embrace their tribal origin rather than facing the adoption difficulties previous
generation had to face. She also advocates for a persistent commitment to Native
children's elevation and empowerment to highlight their dual citizenship as both the
citizens of Tribal Nations and the United States.

Core Concept: Place and Sovereignty

For tribal communities of America, the concept holds deep significance and shows more
than just geographical locations. The place represents the ancestral lands, sacred sites,
and territories that have been inhabited by Native connections for 100 years. It plays a
part to show the connection between spiritual, cultural, and historical aspects of tribal
people with their land. Place is a source of belonging, continuity, and resilience for tribal
nations. In her article Tompkins explains that how native people have a sense of
belonging to their land, customs, and traditions. She tried to provide the point that people
are part of where they live, and that place has a deep and intertwined connection with
their culture and society. From this, she further explains sense of belonging gives people
feeling to protect the place they live on, and Love and that tribal people had an inherent

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 authority to govern themselves and make decisions that impact their day-to-day life along
with their community. She also argues that Indian childhood welfare act upholds their
tribal sovereignty. She further explains further in the article that they do this by
emphasizing the need of tribal governments and Cultures through the preservation of
native Children’s connections to their tribes. This concept reflects the broader filed of
human geography by stating the significance of self determination and political autonomy
for tribal communities.

Core Concept: Cultural Identity and Preservation:

Further down the Article, one more concept highlighted in Tompkins’ article is the
significance of cultural identity and preservation. From her experience and Article, one
could sense that cultural identity holds an immense significance among tribal people in
America. It is a collective sense of belonging that provides identity of indigenous
communities. She discuses the deep impact of being separated from her Navajo Culture
during her upbringing. The impact it had on her life and the journey of reconnecting with
her tribal heritage. Tompkins’ mentions that cultural identity of tribal people is not merely
a matter of personal choice but to maintain their rights and power over their land. She
also sheds a light on the fact that hoe ICWA played a crucial role in safeguarding the
cultural identity of native children by giving priority to their placement with native
families and tribes. She writes about that Respecting and supporting tribal efforts in
cultural identity preservation is crucial in promoting cultural diversity, fostering
understanding, and challenging the historical marginalization of indigenous communities.
Exploring the ways in which a culture practices, and identities along with shaping human
experiences and interactions with geographic contexts connects it with the concept of
human Geography. Understanding and analysing this article through eyes of tribal
Sovereignty and culture identity, one can gain some insight into the complexities of
native Adoption and broader implications of the court’s decision. This analysis
underscores the significance of recognizing and respecting the rights and Aspirations of
indigenous communities within the field of human geography.

Citations
Tompkins, H. (2023, June 16). Opinion: The Supreme Court honored tribal nations with
their decision. CNN.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/21/opinions/native-american-supreme-court-adoptions-icwa-
tompkins/index.html
Francis, J., Langara College PPT Lecture. Core Concepts.
Francis, J., Langara College PPT Lecture. Place

Francis, J., Langara College PPT Lecture. Cultural Identity