INTRODUCTION
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institutions and homes were often brutal which added to the trauma of
early childhood separation. Many mothers and fathers of these lost or
stolen children still grieve the loss of their children. Now adults,
they struggle with personal identity and a sense of belonging. The
mental and emotional toll is evidenced in the high suicide rate,
incaraceration rates and depression of adult adoptees. Many search for
their family ties but do not know where to begin which increased the
pain of separtation. The time has come to heal these wounds caused by
"Forced Assimilation" and establish their sense of belonging to a
spiritually rich family. I had a vision of a song for adoptees, an honor
song that would help those looking to find their way back, I shared this
vision with Chris Leith, Spiritual Advisor to National Child Welfare
Association. He asked Jerry Dearly
to make the song. I hope that song will
also heal the loss of family members who have lost their children to the
system. We know that when many of these youth were taken away, there was
no Indian Child Welfare to develop
family resources before adoption took place. It was a time of incredible
oppression. Consequently many families carry this pain today. Parents
pray quietly that their children are alive and healthy. This song is
also for them. The song was sung for the first time at World Peace and
Prayer Day,June 21, 2000 in the Black Hills. At that time Chris
recongized the need for the Wiping of the Tears Ceremony to relieve the
grief cause by this seperation of family and from our identiy as Indian
people.
Sandy White Hawk,
Co-founder First Nations Orphans'Association
Jerry Dearly
