Caddo Nation Tribal Council members Jennifer Wilson and Kay O'Neil recently participated in the Southern Plains Child Protection Team Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The conference, focused on "building relationships and services that strengthen families through tradition and culture," provided valuable insights into child welfare and foster care systems.
Wilson, representing the Oklahoma City area district, shared her experiences from the conference, highlighting the event's informative nature and the impactful presentations. "Our keynote speaker today was a former foster child, so he could speak to that firsthand," Wilson noted. "It was very moving. And now he is an advocate for foster children and legislation, discussing how families and the courts can work together to improve the system."
The council members' attendance at the conference was at the invitation of Kathy Butler, Director of the Caddo Nation Social Services Department, and Harleigh Buster, the Caddo Nation Indian Child Welfare Officer. Wilson and O'Neil were among the few tribal council representatives present at the event, a fact that conference organizers appreciated.
Both Wilson and O'Neil took the opportunity to praise the work of Butler and Buster in child welfare services. O'Neil shared feedback she had received from tribal members, stating, "I've had people say, 'Oh my goodness. I'm so thankful for Kathy, that she advocated for us and for the child we were talking about.' Kathy really went to bat for them."
Wilson echoed these sentiments, describing Butler and Buster as "amazing" and acknowledging their "incredible work" in protecting and advocating for Caddo children and families.
The councilwomen's participation in this conference demonstrates the Caddo Nation's commitment to staying informed on best practices in child protection and welfare, ensuring that the tribe continues to provide strong support for its youngest members and their families.
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