[Washington, DC] – The Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children (Commission) recently launched its public website. The 11-member Commission was established by Congress and is charged with conducting a comprehensive study of the programs, grants, and supports available for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children at the federal, state, local, and tribal level. The Commission will examine the unique challenges Native children face and make recommendations on improving the current systems by building on the strengths and leadership of Native communities, with the goal of developing a sustainable system that delivers wrap-around services to Native children. The Commission will issue a report to Congress and the President with its recommendations.
The Commission’s new website provides information on Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff, the individual Commissioners and the Native Advisory Committee. The website also includes background information on the Commission, statements released by the Commission, including those related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as information on hearings, containing links to videos, presentations, written testimony, transcripts from past hearings, and information about upcoming hearings.
“For too long, in spite of their resilience and rich heritage, the life experiences of Native Children have been disproportionately affected by poverty, child abuse, domestic violence, crime, and substance abuse. It is our job, as Commissioners, to do all we can to make valuable recommendations to change those circumstances. Our goal is to ensure that we present new options and opportunities for the future of our Native children” said Commissioner Gloria O’Neill, who serves as the President and CEO of Cook Inlet Tribal Council and is the Chair of the Commission.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented challenges it has posed, the Commission has pressed forward with virtual hearings, hearing from experts and community members on a variety of critical topics being studied by the Commission. The Commission is committed to seeking input from Native leaders, Native communities, and subject matter experts to help frame recommendations that will lead to the long-term solutions Native children and youth need and deserve.
The Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children website can be found at www.CommissiononNativeChildren.org. Interested parties can contact the Commission via email at: email@commissiononnativechildren.org. Please follow the Commission on Facebook at: Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children, or on Twitter: @asbwscnc.
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About: Established by Congress, the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children (Commission), is established as an independent federal entity to conduct a comprehensive study on federal, state, local, and tribal programs and develop recommendations on solutions to issues that would improve the health, safety, and well-being of Native Children.