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
Federal Court of Appeals to Hear Oral Arguments Today in ICWA Challenge that Would Upend Over 200 Years of Legal Precedent
(NEW ORLEANS, March 13, 2019)—Today the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will review the lower federal court decision in...
National Native Organizations Respond to Reply Briefs in Brackeen v. Bernhardt
(Portland, Ore., February 20, 2019)—In reply briefs filed yesterday with the United States Court of Appeals for the...
Joint Press Release from National Native Organizations on the Overwhelming Support for the Indian Child Welfare Act
(Portland, Ore., January 18, 2019)—On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 325 tribal nations, 57 Native organizations, 21...
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.