SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Two Democratic congressmen have written to the head of the Department of Interior's Office of Indian Affairs to question why the government has not yet held a summit about Native American children in foster care in South Dakota.
Reps. Ed Markey from Massachusetts and Ben Ray Lujan from New Mexico wrote a letter Friday to Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn about the department's failure to hold the summit during early 2012.
Federal officials had said they would hold a summit regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act following a story by National Public Radio that said South Dakota routinely breaks the law by taking too many Native American children out of their homes.
A spokeswoman for the Office of Indian Affairs did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
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