This can't be real

According to this news story, the Meskwaki tribe in Iowa is fighting to prevent a mother from allowing her child to be adopted by a white couple from Indiana. I can't believe this tribe has the authority to tell a mother whether or not she can put her child up for adoption.

According to the article:

"...the law was designed to prevent state and private adoption agencies from wrongfully taking away descendants of tribal members, as well as ensuring the option of keeping those children within the tribal community."

The first part of that, I get. It's the second part that infringes on the rights of the parents and is absolutely un-American.

Ever been to the Meskwaki casino? I have. It stinks of desperation and last chances. If it's any indication of what life might be like for this child, then I don't blame the mother at all for wanting to provide a better life for her child. And even if life there isn't bad, it's still the mother's right to decide what is best for her child.