Catholic Charities
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New Minnesota Law to
Impact Previous Adoptions �innesota’s adoption laws are
changing, and the updates may affect many individuals in the adoption triad. When an individual is born and adopted in Minnesota, an original birth certificate is created, listing their birthparent(s) names and the name originally given to them. For individuals adopted before July 1, 1982, original birth records are currently confidential, and an adopted adult can only access this information if their birthparent signed an affidavit allowing their information to be released. For those adopted after July 1982, an adopted adult can request their birthparent’s name and last known address from the state of Minnesota, unless the birthparent has filed an objection. Based on legislation passed this year, these affidavits to allow or restrict identifying information will expire on June 30, 2024. After that date, all adopted adults who are at least
18 years old will be able to request and receive their original birth certificates from the State of Minnesota. Birth records show the names of birthparents, the adopted person’s name at birth, the place of birth, and additional details. A Contact Preference form is available through the Minnesota Vital Records so that birth parents can specify if they would like to be contacted or not. When sent to adopted adults, the completed forms will be attached to the original birth records. This change in Minnesota law could be a wonderful opportunity for some who have been hoping for a connection, and it may cause concern for birth parents who do not want to be identified. It is important that birth parents complete a Contact Preference Form indicating their desire to be contacted or not, and it is equally important that adopted adults honor the wishes indicated on the form they might receive. Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota aims to support adopted adults, birth parents, and adoptive parents through these changes and the potential
Social Concerns Day, cont'd from pg. 1 the only church-run Native Boarding School within what is now the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, and although it existed briefly in the grand scheme of the history of Native Boarding Schools, its history is interesting and seems somewhat different from other schools. In 2018, the Catholic Daughters of Slayton became aware that six of the girls at the school died from disease while at Avoca, and are buried in the Catholic cemetery there. There were no grave mark-
John Eagle. Credit: Lisa Kremer November 2023 w The Courier w dowr.org
ers for these girls, so the Catholic Daughters took up the project of raising money to have a stone made and placed on their graves. A memorial ceremony was held when the stone was placed, but since then more interest and more questions have arisen about the school in Avoca. The Diocesan Social Concerns Committee and Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota decided this was an important topic to learn more about, so with the encouragement of the Diocesan Curia, they pursued having the program. A subcommittee made up of local people in the Murray County area was formed to plan and further research the possibilities. John Eagle, a Dakota tribal elder, was the advisor for this committee. The subcommittee had incredible enthusiasm for the project, and did a lot of work with planning, promoting, and implementing the program. Our keynote speakers were local
Wakpa Ipakson Singers. Credit: Lisa Kremer
Sarah Vetter, LISW
Director of Child & Family Services Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota
outcomes. In addition to providing search and reunion services, our social workers can answer questions, assist in completing the preference forms, and help process the wide range of emotions that surface for those considering a reunion. We have assisted numerous adopted adults in acquiring non-identifying medical information, shared letters between birth parents and their adult children, and supported birth parents in deciding whether reconnecting is right. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions about adoption, birth certificates, and your options for searching. You can reach a Catholic Charities post-adoption worker at 507-287-2047.
Gravestone for girls who died at the Native Girls' School. Credit: Isaac Landsteiner
historians Janet Timmerman and Anita Gaul, who have done extensive research about the school. Sr. Marie Ursino, of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in Pennsylvania, also joined us to represent her religious order. Our special guests were the Native Americans who came mainly from South Dakota, representing the communities that the girls came from. The day included not just historical presentations, but also prayer (both in Lakota and English), Native food, informational displays, and Native singing and drumming by the Wakpa Ipaksan singers from Flandreau. We ended the day with Mass and a Native ceremony at the cemetery, led by a Lakota ceremonial leader from the Rosebud community, Russell Eagle Bear, and other Native Americans. The feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive, and connections were made with the people of the tribes in South Dakota. The relationships and the discussions will not end here, but will continue, as we work together to honor the wishes of the family members of the girls buried in Avoca regarding their final resting place.
Lisa Kremer is the Coordinator of Parish Social Ministry in the Worthington Deanery for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.
