Spirit Lake Social Services Shutdown Causes Worry

Social workers at the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation have been furloughed because of the federal government shutdown, worrying tribal officials and Sen. John Hoeven.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs took over social services from the tribe a year ago after complaints about rampant abuse of children and the death of several children placed by tribal social workers in unsafe homes.

Tribal Chairman Leander “Russ” McDonald said that a skeleton crew of BIA employees remains on duty.

Read the entire article at the Bismarck Tribune website.