Washington State ICW Conference:
History, Current Challenges and Planning for Action
August 30-September 1, 2010
Centralia, Washington
The Second Annual State ICW Conference will be held at Great Wolf Lodge on August 30 and August 31, followed by a half-day meeting of Washington tribal and urban Indian ICW programs on September 1. The conference will start with a look back at Washington’s role in the development of ICWA and the many advocacy efforts that have followed. Elders and leaders of that movement will be on hand to tell their stories, share their wisdom and lend their advice for today.
The conference will then turn its attention to the problems and challenges of the day, including disproportionality, privatization, and lack of ICWA compliance. Participants will examine these issues from the perspective of the state, the tribes, and urban Indian organizations, and participants will generate strategies for action over the next year. Participants will also hear about NICWA’s racial healing grant from the Kellogg Foundation and the support that is now available to address systemic and institutional racism in Washington’s child welfare system.
The conference will then turn to a presentation and examination of the “Touchstones of Hope” as one possible road map to sustainable change. Cindy Blackstock of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, and Sandy White Hawk of the First Nations Orphan Association will lead a discussion about holding governments accountable and why behavior change on the part of all parties is essential to lasting change. The conference will conclude with a list of three things that will be different before the third annual conference in 2011.
Following the two-day conference, which is open to everyone, there will be a half-day organizing meeting of tribal and urban Indian representatives to plan a series of meetings leading up to the Third Annual Washington ICW Conference, which will be designed as a kickoff for strategic actions for racial healing in Indian child welfare.
Presenters
Terry Cross, National Indian Child Welfare Association
Gary Peterson, National Indian Child Welfare Association Board of Directors
Cindy Blackstock, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Sandy White Hawk, First Nations Orphans' Association
John George, consultant
Linda Spears, Child Welfare League of America
Registration
$150 per registrant
Print and complete the registration form:
Washington State ICW Conference Registration Form
Return the form to NICWA with payment. Mail payment to:
National Indian Child Welfare Association
5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97239
OR Faxed registrations may be sent to (503) 222-4007.
Hotel Information
Great Wolf Lodge
20500 Old Highway 99 Southwest
Centralia, WA 98531
Reservations phone: (800) 640-9653
Reservations online: http://www.greatwolf.com/grandmound/waterpark
Indicate that you are with the NICWA room block. The group code is “1008STAT” The room rate is $139.00 per night plus tax. Up to four people may stay in the room at this rate. This rate is guaranteed through August 8, 2010.
All reservations will be guaranteed with a first night room deposit or a major credit card. Cancellations must be made 72 hours prior to scheduled arrival date with a $25 per room cancellation fee. If the individual cancels the room within 72 hours prior to the arrival date, 100% of the first night’s room rate plus tax will be charged to the individual’s credit card or taken from the deposit.
Included in the Cost of Your Stay
- Free parking
- Access to on-site fitness room and pool
- Wireless Internet access
- Access to Great Wolf’s giant indoor water park for all guests
Also at Great Wolf
- A variety of dining of options for both adults and families
- Spas for both parents and kids
- Gift shop
- Swim shop
- Arcade
- Magi Quest live-action adventure game for kids
Questions?
If you have questions regarding the Washington State ICW Conference, please direct them to NICWA’s event manager, Laurie Evans at laurie@nicwa.org or (503) 222-4044, extension 124.