The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) gives Native American/Alaska Native individuals and tribes particular rights in child welfare cases. ICWA applies to Indian children who are involved in a state child custody preceding. To qualify, the child must be under 18, unmarried, and either a tribal member or eligible for tribal membership in a federally recognized tribe.
If you’re involved in an ICWA case or think your case may qualify, the resources below will help you understand your rights.
-
The NICWA website has a wealth of ICWA resources for tribes.
This website from the Tribal Information Exchange contains a lot of information on ICWA for tribal leadership and members.
-
ICWA Talking Points Guide: Information for congressional members and staffers, judges and clerks, and general media about ICWA.
Indian Child Welfare Glossary and Flowchart: ICCW terminology and a flowchart showing how ICWA case progress in Child Protective Services.
Guide to ICWA Compliance: Guide for agencies about how to achieve ICWA compliance.
Effective Leadership for Tribal Child Welfare: Information about how agencies can promote child welfare among tribal families.
Top 10 ICWA Myths Fact Sheet: Dispelling myths about ICWA.
Setting the Record Straight Fact Sheet: This factsheet overviews a brief history of ICWA and how it works.
First Nations Development Institute's list of book recommendations for children and young adults.
-
ICWA protects Native children by keeping families together and children tied to their cultural roots.