Michael Slayton, a former foster child who experienced the trauma of being moved between 32 different foster homes and numerous group homes, has found his identity as a Native American. Determined to prevent other children from going through the same struggles, Slayton lobbied at Utah’s Capitol Hill for House Bill 30. This bill, introduced by House Minority Leader Angela Romero, aims to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act, which advocates for Native American children to be placed with tribal members or in culturally appropriate settings in welfare cases.
Although the bill faces challenges in getting a hearing, supporters like Tamra Borchardt-Slayton emphasize the importance of preserving Native American children’s ties to their culture. Borchardt-Slayton also highlights the significant disparity in Native American children being removed from homes in Utah, despite the Native American population being only 1.6%.
For attendees at the rally, ensuring Native American children have a sense of belonging and connection to their heritage is crucial for their mental and spiritual well-being. Michael Slayton, who only began discovering his roots and traditions at the age of 18, stresses the importance of keeping families together within their own culture to support children’s overall health and well-being.
Despite concerns about potential conflicts with Utah’s laws on diversity and inclusion policies, advocates like Slayton, Borchardt-Slayton, and Romero remain steadfast in their efforts to pass House Bill 30 and provide Native American children with a sense of belonging and cultural continuity.
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