Local Native American tribes say they're in a fight for their future as they're battling to keep more of their families together.

Woodbury county is second in the nation in the number of Native American children being put up for adoption or put into foster care with people who aren't Native Americans.

"You're entitled to your flesh and blood, to take care of them." Says Antonia Ybarra.

Antonia Ybarra is just one of the many Native Americans fighting to keep her culture alive.

She started fighting to keep her granddaughters from private adoption and foster care back in December of 2006.

Two years of jumping through hoops ensued.

"I contacted DHS, it took a few months before they actually responded. County attorney filed a motion against DHS, it turned into months and months of court dates. The judge ruled in my favor, so April 21, 2008 I was granted the children. Six months after they were in my home, I finally was able to adopt them." Says Ybarra.

It was January 9th 2009 when Grandma turned into Mommy.

While she had to go through many obstacles and at times wanted to give up, she says it was worth it.

"Way worth it. I mean, everyday that I look at them– I think about what could have happened to them." Says Ybarra.

to raise awareness on what could have happened to her children and what has happened to many others who share her heritage.

Siouxland tribes come together every year to hold a "memorial march"

"We have lost a number of our young children in the foster care system. We come together to say that we've had enough and we're going to be vigilant and we're going to take care of our children." Says Frank LaMere of the Winnebago Tribe.

Ybarra adds, "Keep fighting and don't give up because things will turn out good in the long run if you just keep fighting for what you believe in."