News Release
Commission on Native Children
The Commission on Native Children will hold its Pacific Regional Hearing in Woodland, CA August 25-26, 2022 at the California Tribal College, and virtually. The prior regional hearing was held in June 2022 in Bismarck, North Dakota.
The Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children was established by Congress as an independent federal entity charged with conducting a comprehensive study of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and developing recommendations on solutions that would improve the health, safety, and well‐being of Native Children.
The Commission will examine the unique challenges Native children face and make recommendations on improving the current system by building on the strengths and leadership of Native communities, with the goal of developing a sustainable system that delivers effective, culturally appropriate, meaningful wrap-around services to Native children.
“For too long, in spite of their resilience and rich heritage, the life experiences of Native children have been disproportionately marred by poverty, child abuse, domestic violence, crime, and substance abuse; it is our job, as Commissioners, to do all we can to change those circumstances for our youngest and most vulnerable Native people,” said Commission Carlyle Begay.
The Pacific Regional Hearing is currently scheduled to be held simultaneously in-person and virtually on August 25 and 26. During the two days of the Regional Hearing, the Commission will hear from respected researchers and experts in the region on the successes and challenges in supporting Native children on four key topics:
1. Physical, mental, and behavioral health;
2. Education and early childhood development;
3. Child welfare, juvenile justice, and violence; and
4. Systems innovations and best practices in Native communities.
The Commission also invites Native children, their families, tribal leaders, and community members to share their thoughts on issues that are important to protecting Native children served in the various communities following the panel on August 26.
Register Today
Please register for each day’s proceedings with the links below. Once registered, you will receive information on how to participate virtually and in-person August 25, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- August 25, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- August 26, 9:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.:
In person hearing location:
California Tribal College
Building 800, Community Room
2300 East Gibson Road
Woodland, CA 95776
COVID-19 Considerations
California Tribal College guidance related to COVID-19 will be encouraged and followed. While the hearing is currently scheduled to be held both in-person and virtually, the Commission may decide to hold the Regional Hearing virtual-only due to COVID-19 developments.
To learn more, please visit https://commissiononnativechildren.org. For media inquiries, contact Regina Gilbert: regina.gilbert@bia.gov.
to email@commissiononnativechildren.org. Follow the Commission on Facebook at: Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children, or on Twitter: @asbwscnc.
