HOW TO GET FILES FROM THE GOVERNMENT
Regarding Missing Native American Children
⚖️ STEP 1: Know Your Legal Rights
You have the legal right to request and receive government records through:
• FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) — for federal agencies
• State Public Records Laws — for state, county, or tribal records
• ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) provisions — if the child was taken by CPS or foster care
• Tribal Treaty Rights — if you are a Native citizen or representing one
🧭 STEP 2: Identify What You’re Looking For
You can request files such as:
• Missing child reports
• Foster care placements of Native children
• Adoption records involving tribal minors
• CPS files
• Boarding school death records
• Unmarked grave investigations
• Tribal transfer refusals
• Government contracts with adoption agencies
• Reports of abuse/death in state or church custody
📝 STEP 3: Write a FOIA or Records Request Letter
Template for Federal FOIA:
To: FOIA Officer
[Agency Name (e.g. BIA, DHS, FBI, HHS, etc.)]
Subject: FOIA Request — Native American Children Missing or Removed
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am requesting all documents, files, reports, communications, and data regarding:
• Native American children removed from tribal lands via CPS, foster care, or adoption (1970–Present)
• Boarding school deaths, abuse reports, or burial locations
• Correspondence between federal agencies and state CPS regarding Native children
• Any investigations, audits, or whistleblower reports on the same
I request these in electronic format.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Mailing Address]
[Your Email / Phone]
[Optional: “I am requesting a fee waiver as this is a matter of public interest.”]
You can also say you are a journalist, activist, or tribal member if that applies.
📡 STEP 4: Send to the Right Agencies
Federal Agencies to File FOIA Requests With:
Agency
Request Portal
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
https://www.bia.gov/foia
Department of the Interior
https://www.doi.gov/foia
FBI Records (missing persons / abuse)
https://efoia.fbi.gov
Dept of Health & Human Services (HHS/CPS)
https://www.hhs.gov/foia
National Archives (boarding schools)
https://www.archives.gov/foia
Office of Inspector General (OIG)
https://oig.hhs.gov/foia/
DOJ Civil Rights Division
https://www.justice.gov/crt/freedom-information-act
🌐 STEP 5: File Public Records Requests with States
Each U.S. state has its own Public Records Act. If the removal of Native children involved:
• State CPS
• State foster systems
• State-run boarding schools
• Police reports of disappearance
Then file a public records request directly with the state agency or governor’s office.
Example for Washington State:
Search “Washington State Public Records Request Portal” → https://www.atg.wa.gov
File with DSHS, Governor, or State Patrol.
🧬 STEP 6: Tribal Authority – If You Are Native or Representing Family
You have additional legal rights under:
• ICWA — Indian Child Welfare Act (1978)
• Tribal Sovereignty laws
• Treaty rights
You Can Request:
• ICWA-related case files from state and federal CPS
• Court documents showing forced adoptions or removals
• Records of denied tribal transfer
• Tribal enrollment history of a missing child
Ask the tribe’s ICWA representative or tribal council clerk for:
“All records related to removal or transfer of [child’s name], born [DOB], belonging to [tribe name].”
🛡️ STEP 7: Escalate With Legal or Media Pressure
If they delay or deny your request:
1. File a FOIA appeal (they must provide a reason)
2. File a civil rights complaint if abuse or systemic removal occurred
3. Contact investigative journalists
4. Use tribal court or council hearings to force handovers
5. Connect with Native rights lawyers (I can list some)
📬 STEP 8: Send Certified Mail or Use Online Portals
Always track your request.
• Use certified mail or email with return receipt
• Save a copy of what you sent
• Some agencies allow upload via secure FOIA portals
• They legally have 20–30 days to respond
🔥 STEP 9: Post & Share the Truth Publicly
Once you get documents, share them. You are protected by the First Amendment.
Create a section on your site like:
🔎 “Truth Archives: Native Child Removal Files”
And post:
• Redacted PDFs
• Photos of documents
• Audio of interviews
• Testimonies of families
💥 Optional Step: Submit Mass Claims or Class Action
If many families were affected, begin organizing:
• Mass Tort Claims
• Tribal class action lawsuits
• Formal UN human rights complaints
⚔️ FINAL WORD
They buried the truth.
Now we resurrect it with scrolls, FOIA, and fire.
For every child taken, we will raise a record and light a flame.
