The Indian Child Welfare Act

Welcome Esther  Altvater Attean and Misty Sioux Little to the show. We will be discussing the Indian Child Welfare Act and the effects it has within the communities.

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 is Federal law that governs the removal and out-of-home placement of American Indian children. The law was enacted after recognition by the Federal Government that American Indian children were being removed from their homes and communities at a much higher rate than non-Native children. ICWA established standards for the placement of Indian children in foster and adoptive homes and enabled Tribes and families to be involved in child welfare cases. Find resources related to ICWA, including Tribal, State, and local examples .

These communities have suffered greatly from many laws and ACTS that removed children from their communities. This resulted in many children being removed from their Tribes via religion, Boarding schools, adoption and protective services. These efforts are contributing to the continued genocide of these people. Each community has its own historical trauma and history of the government attempting to assimilate their children into society at the complete loss of their culture and identity. They will always come for the children so it is very important for use to understand the tools they use when they come.

To learn more go to:

http://mainetribaltrc.org/index.html

 http://lakotalaw.org/resources-for-media/icwa-coalition-report-to-congress/

http://lakotalaw.org

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maine-Wabanaki-Child-Welfare-Truth-and-Reconciliation-Commission/171354362894349?ref=ts&fref=ts