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 Joint Statement on the United States Department of Justice’s Decision to Defend the Indian Child Welfare Act
(Portland, Ore., December 3, 2018)—Statement from the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), the National...
NICWA Partners with Two Key Stakeholders to Double Donations on #GivingTuesday
(Portland, OR, November 26, 2018)—The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) announces their partnerships...
Official Statement: Joint Statement on the Federal District Court of Northern Texas denying to stay the court’s ruling on constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act
(Portland, OR, October 30, 2018)—The National Indian Child Welfare Association, the National Congress of American...
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.