who we are
About NICWA
NICWA is the only national membership organization that works to support the safety, health, and spiritual strength of American Indian and Alaska Native children along the broad continuum of their lives. We support tribes in building the capacity to prevent child abuse and neglect through positive systems change at the state, federal, and tribal levels.
News from NICWA
NICWA Applauds U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in the Announcement of the Federal Government’s Plan to Launch the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative
Media Contactmedia@old.old.old.old.nicwa.org(Portland, Ore., June 22, 2021)—Today, United States Interior Secretary...
MEDIA ADVISORY: National Indian Child Welfare Association Launches New Brackeen v. Haaland Resource
Media Contactmedia@old.old.old.old.nicwa.orgOn Friday, June 18, 2021, the National Indian Child Welfare Association...
ICWA Best Practices for State Child Welfare Agencies After the Brackeen Decision
First published online: June 18, 2021This resource is intended for state child welfare workers and agencies. On April...
who we are
Heart of ICWA
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) protects American Indian and Alaska Native kids in child welfare proceedings by keeping them in the care of extended families or tribes whenever possible. ICWA protects identity, familial network, and sense of belonging-things that all children need. In this multi-part digital storytelling series, The Heart of ICWA, families convey firsthand what happens when the basic protections of ICWA are followed and the devastating consequences when families and children are deprived of these basic rights.