Quarterly Newsletter
“Honoring the Sacred”
NICWA News is the quarterly newsletter for members and donors of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. Donate or become a member today to subscribe.
A Message from NICWA’s Executive Director
Dear NICWA Members, Sponsors, Donors, and Friends,
Welcome to the Spring issue of NICWA News. This issue embraces the 43rd Annual Protecting Our Children Conference theme, Honoring the Sacred.
The theme Honoring the Sacred reflects the value Indigenous peoples have placed on their children, families, and traditions for generations. To regard something as “sacred” shows respect and is characterized as something we hold close to our hearts, something to be protected and sheltered. Honoring the sacred is acknowledging and respecting the interconnectedness of relationships between all elements in our world. Each year, we witness the thousands of dedicated tribal and state professionals and passionate advocates who devote their lives to protecting tribal communities and their sacred citizens. This unified effort is manifested in our constant advocacy to preserve children’s connections to family, community, and a healthy and secure cultural identity.
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) gives Native children in state systems the opportunity to maintain those sacred connections to their family and community where possible, mirroring the values of our traditional cultures. ICWA 2050 is a unifying national framework for a future where tribal child welfare programs and services are strengthened and the protections of ICWA are secured for generations to come. It is a uniting vision for the well-being of Native children spanning decades and sectors. ICWA 2050 is our commitment to a future where Native children are woven into the fabric of our cultures with care and intention, protecting the sacred. It is a generation of work to change the trajectory of generations of Native children.
As you’ll read in this issue, we’ve just wrapped up our incredibly successful 43rd annual conference, where we welcomed 1,918 people. There was excitement about NICWA’s refreshed brand, including a beautiful redesign of our classic cradleboard logo and our newly launched website. We gratefully acknowledged 30 sponsors who generously contributed $160,200 to create this enriching experience. A gathering of service providers, community members, and advocates over four days of learning, networking, and celebration together, the conference furthered NICWA’s mission to protect the safety, health, and cultural identity of all Native children and families—today and for future generations—by upholding culturally based services, community strength, and tribal sovereignty.
Our conference is a powerful reminder of the commitment and impact of the workers in our tribal and state helping programs and systems. We hope you’ll mark your calendar now for the 44th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 29- April 1, 2026.
With gratitude for your service to Native children and families,
Sarah L. Kastelic, PhD (Alutiiq)