Quarterly Newsletter
“Apart but Together”
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,
I hope this issue of NICWA News finds you, your family, and community healthy and well in body and in spirit. Despite the significant challenges our frontline human service professionals face on a daily basis to meet families’ basic needs, we regularly find positive stories, hope, and inspiration talking with you. Our relational cultures and long history of being creative problem-solvers serve us well in this environment. In this new and constantly evolving situation, we are all learning about being apart, but together.
One of the greatest lessons I learned about being physically apart but meaningfully connected was our virtual 38th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference. In mid-March, the NICWA Board of Directors wisely decided that we should not meet in person in Denver. While this was a weighty and difficult decision in that moment, it was quickly affirmed by the spread of COVID-19. As we met virtually on March 30–April 1, I was surprised to feel such a genuine connection to our staff and board, our wonderful presenters, and even our hundreds of participants. Through my interactions with all of you for those three days, I felt centered with purpose, grounded in my values, and charged with direction.
Like many of you, I suspect, one of the greatest joys over the last two months has been learning how to be apart from but together with children. I have four nieces and nephews in the Midwest and on the East Coast who range in age from preschool to 8th grade. I’ve been amazed to see the volume of art, music, science experiments, Lego architecture, and newly invented indoor and outdoor games they’re creating as their parents support their education at home. We read stories by FaceTime and play card games with relatives in multiple states (and even countries!) with Facebook Messenger.
These opportunities to see each other more and in a more personal way bind us together in new ways. With the kids, I’ve born witness to more tears and frustration as well as cooped-up silliness than I’d usually see or hear on briefer calls or video chats. With my colleagues, it’s been interesting to see one another’s homes in video meetings. There is much more opportunity to get to know someone in a different way when you see their family photos, art, or books in the background. People show you their pets. Children creep into the computer frame to ask their parent a question or sit on their lap. At the end of the afternoon, the conversation veers to what we’re going to make for dinner or that we hope to get outside and take a walk when we shut off our computers.
We are apart but together as we continue to work and serve our communities in this uncertain time. I hope you can feel connection and a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves—our shared purpose to support children and families, and to use our cultures as our greatest resource to help families.
Sincerely,
Sarah L. Kastelic, PhD, MSW
(Alutiiq)