The president of the Navajo Nation has weighed in on the Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act. The law gives preference to Native tribes when Native American children are adopted or enter into foster care.

President Buu Nygren spoke with the Fronteras Desk on Thursday, calling the Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision "a good day for Indian sovereignty."

The Supreme Court’s decision keeps in place a 1978 law intended to keep Native children from being separated from their families, their cultures and their tribes. 

"The Supreme Court still truly believes that Native Americans can make their own decisions. That they do have some sovereign rights and they have the self determination within them to really take care of their own children," Nygren said.

Just last month, the Navajo Nation president said he hosted a family that was adopting a Navajo child. He said he wants to improve social services on the Nation to help Navajo families in adoption proceedings.