Keep Native American Family from being torn apart

My name is Monica, I am a Native American Tribal member of the Yankton Sioux Nation and Mother to two wonderful children. My 9 year old is tender hearted, funny and compassionate; she loves to read comic books, bead friendship bracelets, explore nature's gifts, bake cookies and cupcakes and loves quality time with her family and friends. My 6 year old is energetic, sweet, and generous; he loves imaginary play with dinosaurs and robots, building the tallest towers, telling stories, dance parties in the living room, and is a total Mamas’ Boy. I am keeping my children’s names private due to the delicacy of the family court case we are facing.

In 2018, the father of my children abandoned them for a year, causing great heartache, confusion and trauma. While my intention has always been to find a place of neutrality and harmony with their father in an effort to be the best parent possible for my children, he has gone to great lengths within the court system to try and remove me from my children’s lives completely.

Since May 2nd, 2022, my court appointed time with my children has been denied, when their father removed them from school on our ancestral homelands without any prior communication of his intentions.

As their Mother, I carried these babies with unconditional love and witnessed life flow into their perfect bodies; my heart continually breaks each morning I wake up without them in our home.

It is not in my nature to ask others for help and asking for financial assistance in this way is difficult for me, but I have already invested $20,000 in legal fees representing my interest in bringing my children home and have no more financial means. Your financial contributions and words of encouragement are giving us much needed support in this trying time for our family, and we thank you from the depth of our hearts.