Quarterly Newsletter

“Standing Together for Native Children.”

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 winter issue of NICWA News, “Standing Together for Native Children.” As advocates for Native children and families, you know about the threats to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). We’ve consistently shared with you about the progress of Haaland v. Brackeen, the case challenging the constitutionality of ICWA, through the federal court system, culminating in oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court last November.

Many of you, our NICWA community, were among the more than 300 people who joined us at the steps of the Supreme Court on November 9, when the justices heard oral arguments in the case. We gathered outside in a prayerful, family-friendly demonstration of support for ICWA. We felt it was important for the justices to remember the full weight of the decision they are asked to make and the people whom that decision most immediately impacts. Thank you for standing with us. Also standing with us that day were thousands of people from Tribal communities across the country. There were also expressions of support from our relatives in Canada and Australia. Tribal governments, community groups, Tribal citizens, and our allies came together in small and large gatherings in hundreds of places across the country to hold space—physically and spiritually.

We asked our Creator to help the justices who heard this case, the attorneys who made their arguments before the Court, and the communities and families who will be most closely impacted by the Court’s decision. We prayed for the justices’ open ears, hearts, and minds. While the Court was in session, we offered prayers and songs to our Creator. Photos of this powerful demonstration of support for ICWA are in the center spread of this issue of NICWA News.

Our prayer gathering was a strong and visible stand for Native children and their families, but the opportunity to stand together for Native children presents itself every day in dozens of decisions we make and actions we take. Standing together for Native children is reflected in the steps we take to keep kids and their families safely together. It’s about being a good relative, checking in with neighbors and families who are struggling, intervening before there are “bumps and bruises” or abandonment to offer concrete support, developing culturally appropriate services, accounting for strengths—not just detailing deficits—in family assessments, developing a tailored case plan that builds family capacity to keep kids safe, and engaging extended family in family group decision making to make the best decisions for their relative children.

We also stand together for Native children when we, as people doing this work, check in on each other, debrief difficult situations, seek support when we need it, and take care of ourselves so that we have the capacity to keep doing work that keeps families together. As Alutiiq Elder Mary Peterson used to say, “Take care of the Elder you will become.”

Standing Together for Our Children,

Sarah L. Kastelic, PhD, MSW (Alutiiq)