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
Protect ICWA Campaign Partners to Attend Fifth Circuit Court’s Brackeen v. Bernhardt Rehearing
(NEW ORLEANS, January 21, 2020) — On Wednesday, January 22, the full United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals...
Protect ICWA Campaign Applauds Legal Filing by Large Coalition of Tribal Nations and Native Organizations Defending the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
(PORTLAND, Ore. December 13, 2019) — Today, 486 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and 59...
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to Rehear Brackeen v. Bernhardt
(PORTLAND, Ore. November 7, 2019) — Today, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted rehearing...
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.