NICWA NEWS Quarterly Newsletter • Spring 2019
The
LATEST INSIDE Edition Theme: “Connect”
National Indian Child Welfare Association 5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 300 Portland, Oregon 97239 P (503) 222-4044 F (503) 222-4007 www.nicwa.org
The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is a private, nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native children and families. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, NICWA serves tribes, individuals, and private organizations throughout the United States and Canada by serving as the most comprehensive source of information on American Indian child welfare and acting as the only national Native organization focused on building tribal capacity to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Our Mission
The National Indian Child Welfare Association is dedicated to the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native children and families.
Board of Directors President Gil Vigil (Tesuque Pueblo) Vice President Rochelle Ettawageshik (Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians) Secretary W. Alex Wesaw (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) Treasurer Gary Peterson (Skokomish) Members Mikah Carlos (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community) Patricia Carter-Goodheart (Nez Perce) Angela Connor (Choctaw) Jocelyn Formsma (Swampy Cree) Debra Foxcroft (Tseshaht First Nation) Luke Madrigal (Cahuilla Band of Indians) Aurene Martin (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) Robert McGhee (Poarch Band of Creek Indians) Lance Sanchez (Tohono O’odham Nation) Mary Tenorio (Santo Domingo Pueblo)
Board of Trustees
John Shagonaby (Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians) Brad Earl (Nez Perce descent) Sherry Salway Black (Oglala Lakota) Allard Teeple (Bay Mills Indian Community) Victor Rocha (Pechanga Band of LuiseĂąo Indians) Derek Valdo (Acoma Pueblo)
Founder and Senior Advisor Terry Cross (Seneca)
Executive Director
Sarah Kastelic (Alutiiq)
NICWA News is the quarterly newsletter for members and donors of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. Membership is available in multiple levels starting at $35. For reprint requests, additional copies, or other information, contact us at info@nicwa.org
Contents
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Policy Updates Inside NICWA Programs Annual Conference Community Impact Membership
Message from the Executive Director Dear NICWA Members, Sponsors, Donors, and Friends, I enjoyed meeting many of you at our annual conference last month, and as always, I was reenergized about our work and spiritually fed when I reconnected with constituents and friends that I see each year at our conference. Of particular significance to me were the number of people who, in addition to sharing about successes and challenges in their work, thanked me for NICWA’s work to protect the Indian Child Welfare Act and told me that they pray for our board, staff, and partners in this fight. Those who attended our conference heard me talk about connection, connectedness, and belonging. We are connected to our families, communities, and each other (Native and non-Native) by the work we do for families and children. The values we share and our commitment to use our voices and all of the resources at our disposal to keep children connected to their families, communities, and culture bind us together and make us part of something larger than ourselves. The legacy that we are collectively leaving the next seven generations is the young people who are prepared to step into our shoes, to do the work on behalf of their people, in service to our healing, recovery, thriving, and spiritual strength. Standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, connected to them, we have the opportunity to nurture our connection to the next generation. Two weeks after conference, I experienced our national work on a personal level. I was invited to my home community to share about the ongoing ICWA litigation at our semi-annual Koniag-KANA Regional Roundtable. In addition to my professional role, during this trip I got to visit with my family. I participated in Alutiiq family language night, where we made soup for dinner (practicing our vocabulary with the ingredients) and attempted to play “Go Fish” to get accustomed to the structure and cadence of our language. I got to appreciate my connection to my family, community, culture, and child-serving career— to be part of something bigger than myself in every sense—all in the same trip. My closing reflection is that our connections—our relationships with our families, communities, and one another—give our lives purpose and meaning. They give us direction, a source of strength and support, and a metric by which to assess our progress along the right path.
With gratitude for our connection,
Sarah Kastelic, PhD (Alutiiq)
Policy
ACF Proposes to Eliminate over 90% of Native Children’s Data Elements in AFCARS— Seeking Public Comments
ACF is hosting an in person tribal consultation regarding the NPRM on June 3 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can find information about the consultation and other informational opportunities at www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/acf-tribal-consultationon-afcars-2019. NICWA strongly encourages tribes, Indian organizations, states, and ICWA supporters to submit comments. The deadline for submitting public comments is June 18, 2019.
2019 NICWA Policy Priorities
As part of the Trump Administration’s goal to streamline and/or eliminate regulations across the federal government, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposed in a Notice of Public Rulemaking (NPRM), published April 19 in the Federal Register, to eliminate over 90% of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data elements for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children from 2016 regulations. The 2016 regulations, the only attempt to track this state data ever, included numerous data elements that track Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) activities with AI/AN children and families. While the NPRM proposes to keep data elements for AI/AN children that track whether ICWA applies and the child, parents, and placement tribal affiliation, most of the data elements are proposed for elimination. Data elements proposed for elimination in the NPRM include the following: • • • • • • • • • • •
Whether there was a request to transfer jurisdiction to tribal court, Reasons for denial of transfer of jurisdiction (if any), Court findings related to legal requirements in involuntary and voluntary termination of parental rights, Whether qualified expert witness testimony occurred in foster care and termination of parental rights proceedings, Whether active efforts were made prior to removal or termination of parental rights, Detailed information on active efforts provided, Whether legal requirements for foster care removals were met, Whether ICWA foster care and adoptive placement preference homes existed, Whether adoptive placement preferences under ICWA were met, Whether good cause to deviate from placement preferences (if any) occurred, and Details (if any) on the basis for good cause under ICWA.
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NICWA’s public policy work is mission-critical to eliminating child abuse and neglect and building the capacity of tribes to serve their member families. Our annual policy priorities guide our advocacy for strengthening Native families, tribes, and the laws that protect them. Each year, we publish our policy priorities. The policy priorities focus on three main areas that NICWA pursues in all of our policy work:
1.
Advocate for adequate funding to support tribal capacity to provide culturally appropriate services for member children and families
2.
Defend the Indian Child Welfare Act and advocate for proper implementation services for member children and families
3.
Promote federal and state policies, both legislative and administrative, that support tribes’ ability to offer culturally appropriate services and foster positive federal and state relationships with tribes You can find a copy of NICWA’s 2019 Policy Priorities at www.nicwa.org.
Want to keep in touch with our policy efforts? Contact David Simmons Email: desimmons@nicwa.org Phone: 503-222-4044, ext. 119 National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Inside NIC WA
Being a Good Relative
Since our inception, NICWA has served as a catalyst for positive change, an ally in healing and vision-building, and a resource for tribal governments, urban and reservation-based social service programs, and especially frontline social service and behavioral health staff. In order to serve tribal communities to the best of our ability, NICWA staff routinely set aside time to internally build relationships and grow together as a team. We come to work every day, whether in the office or in the field, with our own complex set of identities, experiences, and backgrounds. For many of us, our lived experiences are what brought us to the important work NICWA does every day for Native children and families. Given our identity as a culturally based organization and our organizational value that “culture is our strongest resource for helping families,” over the past year, we have been asking, “how do we integrate cultural concepts, beliefs, and expression into our relationships at work?” We have ongoing discussions about what it means to us to be a culturally based organization. National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
During a recent staff retreat, we acknowledged our diversity attributable to our differing life experiences. Our differences are not only opportunities to learn from one another, but they make up the fabric of who we are as an organization and how we work together. We shared about the things we do every day that keep us connected to our mission, guide us in the decisions we make, and facilitate our use of cultural values to shape our work. We discussed how intentionally setting aside time to strengthen our workplace relationships enhances our feelings of health and well-being and our effectiveness in serving tribal communities. This ongoing conversation has been fundamental to positively influencing our workplace environment and culture. We want to challenge our partners, members, and donors to reflect about being a good relative, the opportunity to learn from our differences, and to set aside time to grow in our ability to work together. As many of our teachings say, we are all interconnected to one another and all living things. With intention and reflection, we can build on our practice of being good to each other.
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Peer-to-Peer E xchange hosted by Pueblo of San Felipe The Pueblo of San Felipe, a successful graduate of the System of Care (SOC) grant program, hosted a first ever peer-to-peer exchange in their community for current tribal SOC grantees on April 3. San Felipe staff shared their SOC story and how they’ve become sustainable beyond their grant. The exchange included topics that tribal SOCs were interested in hearing about, which included an overview of San Felipe’s SOC structure and strategic plan. Other topics sessions included: • • •
One of the SOC program’s core values and guiding principles is to provide services that are youth-guided, family-driven, and include youth and family voices in all decision making. This peer-to-peer exchange had a successful turnout of over 60 participants, including some international visitors. This event gave other tribal SOC grantees hope and good guidance about strategies for becoming sustainable after their systems of care grant ends.
Management and Financial Sustainability Evaluation/Data Collection/Social Marketing Helping Our People: Achieving Hope (HOPAH) Services and Supports: Prevention, Intervention/Treatment, and Equine Therapy
The five current tribal SOC grantees broke into groups and rotated through each session. San Felipe shared how youth and family members were integrated into all of their services and how important their participation is to the Pueblo’s work.
First Kids 1st
The First Kids 1st (FK1st) initiative’s mission is to stand with Native youth to create the conditions under which Native youth thrive. With founding partners, the National Congress of American Indians, National Indian Education Association, and National Indian Health Board, NICWA participated in this collaborative effort to change national, tribal, and state policy to produce better outcomes for Native youth. As partners, this initiative was exciting work to connect and extend our reach beyond our four organizations while working to strengthen Native youth well-being in Indian Country. Working as a collaborative did not come without growing pains, as the FK1st partners are working more closely and at a much larger scale than we had before. Learning different work styles and processes and how to engage with one another, often remotely, was a challenge that needed attention and work. We knew as a team we needed to highlight and model intentional work to facilitate intergenerational relationships and transfer of 6 | Spring 2019
knowledge better. A few examples of our learning opportunities include the community asset mapping project with the Umatilla Youth Leadership Council and the convening of several Native youth-serving organizations to share experiences and tools in April 2019. In working with the Umatilla Youth Leadership Council on community asset mapping, the importance of intergenerational communication and relationships were at the forefront of our thinking about how to do this work. The youth council received training from the FK1st partners on community asset mapping, and they led the process in their community with the support of the tribe’s children and family services director. The youth council members spanned a large age range, ages 12–17, which was both a significant strength and added to the process moving slower than expected. As the FK1st partners got to know the youth and the group dynamics better, adjustments were made to better serve their needs. National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Programs It was critical to be flexible and be ready to repeat steps if necessary. As experts about their community, the youth council led the project and were able to engage elders, adults, and other peers in their community. In conjunction with NICWA’s annual conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the FK1st partners invited several Native youthserving organizations to a convening to connect and discuss opportunities for us to continue to expand our collaboration to make an even bigger impact on the well-being of Native youth. Tommy Ghost Dog from WeRNative at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board engaged us in peer-to-peer learning and shared how they communicate intergenerationally.
Host Sponsor Highlight Seminole Tribe of Florida has been a long-term partner of NICWA, critical to our ICWA protection work, and has been a host sponsor of our annual conference for three consecutive years. We spoke with Shamika Beasley, Seminole Tribe’s advocacy administrator, to learn more about her and her work.
The group learned how WeRNative connects with youth in a meaningful way, answering the how, when, where, and why of their communications strategy. Participants benefited from the candid discussions about approaches and lessons learned, which prompted more reflection on how we work intergenerationally. Now in the last year of our funding, the FK1st partners have committed to continued work together to compel policy and systems change to improve the opportunities available to Native youth.
Q: What would you tell someone who’s thinking about volunteering for or donating to ICW causes?
A: The smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference to families during times of extreme vulnerability. Volunteering to mentor parents, donating money towards training professionals, showing up to an event—any act of kindness you can offer, it all matters.
Q: Can you tell us more about what being a tribal
Q: When ICWA is followed, what impact do you see on the
A: The Advocacy Program has the goal of advocating for
A: We see better outcomes with regard to the safety and
advocacy administrator means?
families while protecting Seminole children. I provide administrative oversight and support to supervisors and frontline case managers. In Florida, the Department of Children and Families has the primary responsibility of ensuring child safety; however, our advocacy staff are available 24 hours a day to accompany state case managers to Native homes to ensure ICWA is followed and that the children are safe and services are provided to tribal families.
Q: What got you into the Indian child welfare (ICW) field? A: I’ve known that helping children and families was my
passion since college. I wanted to make real change to reduce the number of Native children in foster care. Not only am I helping families in the Seminole Tribal community, but through trainings and collaboration, we’ve been able to help Native kids all over the country. We have a tremendous platform at the Seminole Tribe of Florida to make a difference, and that brings me joy.
Q: What are some of the ways your community comes together for Native children?
A: Every April, we host a Child Abuse Awareness Walk.
We walk around each reservation and have an ice cream social; it’s an event for the entire community. We also have various prevention and support groups to promote health and well-being.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
children and families you serve?
stability of children and higher rates of family reunification with little to no recidivism. ICWA makes a difference! Seeing families be successful with the tools and resources they’ve received is the most rewarding part of my job.
Q: Working in social services can be a hard job. How do you take care of yourself?
A: Game nights, cookouts, things to keep the positive energy
going and keep myself grounded are important to me. Spiritual support and prayer help me as well. It’s also important to take vacation time when you need it. The work is always going to be there, so take care of yourself.
Q: What do you wish non-tribal entities understood better about tribes?
A: That’s a long list! To start, I wish they truly understood the
intent of ICWA and the purpose we have as Native peoples to preserve Native families. When you understand where Native families have come from, you can passionately help them get to where they need to go to achieve their goals. You can learn more about Seminole Tribe of Florida at SemTribe.com. From all of us at NICWA: thank you, Seminole Tribe of Florida, for all your good work!
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2019 NIC WA Protecting Our Children Conference Each day was started in a good way with incredibly inspiring keynote presenters who spoke on the importance of protecting the Indian Child Welfare Act and ways to strengthen its implementation. Monday morning was led by a keynote address from Regis Pecos, a staunch advocate for Native youth and families, and featured a panel dialogue with the New Mexico Tribal Indian Child Welfare Consortium. Tuesday morning included a panel of ICWA court judges who spoke to the use of dedicated ICWA courts.
While the litigation swirls around us, we can continue doing the work that gives our children a chance to come home. It’s up to us. — Sarah Kastelic, Executive Director, NICWA
N
We were welcomed by talented cultural performers from both the Zia and Pojoaque Pueblos, as well as tribal and local government leaders. In the evenings, there were several concurrent programs. On Monday, we hosted an evening at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center with conference attendees having the opportunity to visit this beautiful museum. Another event, A Gathering for Adoptees, Former Foster Children, and their Birth Relatives, was hosted by Sandy White Hawk from the First Nations Repatriation Institute. It was noted as a highlight by many! The last day was an update on the ICWA litigation and a charge for participants to defend ICWA, especially through strengthening programs on the ground and improving tribal-state relationships. Sarah Kastelic, NICWA executive director, and Chrissi Nimmo, deputy attorney general for Cherokee Nation, led participants with a call for action.
ICWA’S 37TH ANNUAL PROTECTING OUR
Children Conference continued its record-breaking trend and welcomed 1,552 participants. This year’s event stands out as a highlight for those working in and with the field of Indian child welfare to better serve Native youth and families. Over 150 presenters led 77 workshops highlighting best practices, collaborative and innovative programming, skill-building resources, cutting-edge research, experiences in the field, and more.
Know why ICWA is not race-based. Be able to tell people that the Supreme Court has said ‘Federal law dealing with Indians is political
Each year, the NICWA conference is a collaborative event, drawing local and national partners as well as tribal communities and mainstream agencies. Many participants work on the frontlines of social services, often coming from smaller communities, being one of a few (or the only one) working in a tribal child welfare or family support program. For many long-time participants, there are dear friends and partners that are only seen at our conference. The opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones provides a supportive environment for learning and helps us advocate for the next generation of Native youth.
and not racial…’
Our conference is located in a different city across Indian Country each year, and this year’s conference wouldn’t have been the same without our tenacious local planning committee, a group of dedicated individuals from New Mexico. Their guidance and support created a conference that most appropriately reflected the rich beauty of New Mexico tribal communities.
what it meant for them to be taken away from
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Tell our stories. Talk about the people who are impacted pre-ICWA who were removed from their homes and families. Have adult adoptees, both those who have reconnected and those who have not reconnected, telling their stories and their families and their tribal communities and how that has affected their life long-term. — Chrissi Nimmo, Deputy Attorney General, Cherokee Nation National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
All in all, the general sessions were a source of hope and inspiration for participants. On our last evening together, conference goers gathered for an event full of heartfelt stories, laughter, and good community spirit at our Banquet Dinner. It began with honoring our 2019 Champion for Native Children, Julia Bogany, a member of the Tongva Tribe. As a strong advocate for the Indian Child Welfare Act, Ms. Bogany has supported various courts that need help with ICWA cases, especially on behalf of her tribe. She generously shares her time and cultural knowledge.
We are grateful for each and every one of our partners, members, volunteers, participants, exhibitors, and sponsors who created a special experience at our annual conference. Next year we hope you’ll help us continue to build momentum by joining us for NICWA’s 38th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference on March 30–April 2 in Denver, Colorado.
Julia [Champion for Native Children] continuously demonstrates her dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm for American Indian children, families, and communities. She has managed all this good work while being a dedicated parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent and has also world tirelessly to further her family’s education and future. — Danielle Glenn-Rivera
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
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Community Impact
Connecting with Our Mission–Serving the Well-Being of Native Children and Families The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, located near Highland, California, awarded NICWA a $149,949 grant to provide resources to families who encounter the child welfare system. The ICWA Crisis Response and Family Advocacy Program’s primary goal is to provide consistent, high quality, and timely responses to requests for information received through phone calls, emails, and Facebook inquires. By using the Request for Information (RFI) intake system, we work to provide the best possible information and resources to families, child welfare workers, agencies, tribes, and tribal organizations seeking to provide support and care to Native children and families.
“Strong relationships translate to better services for Native children, families, and communities,” said Matthew. “We’re grateful to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their support of Native children and families across Indian Country.”
Strong relationships translate to better services for Native children, families and communities.
“Answering RFI calls frequently involves providing social work support to families in crisis; it’s critical to our mission of keeping children connected to their families and communities,” said Cori Matthew, NICWA director of programs and policy.
If you have questions regarding an ICWA case or other Indian child welfare issue, contact the NICWA office. Email: info@nicwa.org Phone: 503-222-4044
Two things are necessary in this process: collaboration and building trust between all parties involved. “Two things are necessary in this process: collaboration and building trust between all parties involved. We’re not a direct service provider, but we do inform families about their rights under ICWA. We give referrals for free or low-cost legal assistance, social and behavioral health services, and tracing Native ancestry. We help families understand how to advocate for their children and relatives within the state system.” Each year, at least 25,000 Native families encounter state child welfare systems where they are at risk of having their children removed. ICWA establishes minimum criteria for states to follow in child welfare cases where a Native child is involved. Since beginning the program, NICWA has taken over 1,000 RFIs per year; provided ICWA trainings; and connected families, tribes, and other advocates to resources that improve outcomes for Native children.
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National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Membership
2019 Member of the Year Awardee
Congratulations, Stephanie Benally!
NICWA members are the embodiment of our work to protect and promote the best interest of Native children. Every year, NICWA’s Member of the Year Award honors an individual or organizational member who demonstrates outstanding service, contributions, and leadership in their profession. This year’s awardee, Stephanie Benally (Diné), is the American Indian Specialist at Utah Foster Care and a board member for the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault. An advocate for improving the foster system in Utah, she conducts community education and outreach to increase the number of Native children in kinship placements and maintain their connections with their families and culture. She lobbied to get November proclaimed as Navajo Adoption Awareness Month and May as Diné Foster Care Month. As a member of the taskforce developing a Utah state ICWA law, she is working to develop a statewide ICWA alert to notify communities when an immediate need arises for a Native foster home for children in Utah. We’re excited for Ms. Benally to continue to use her platform to connect to new audiences and raise awareness for more kinship homes across Indian Country!
Student Membership Recruitment Please consider these two ways to help NICWA expand our membership base:
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Help us spread the word to BSW and MSW students interested in Indian child welfare by introducing them to NICWA’s training and support services for professionals working with Native families. Sponsor or recruit a promising BSW or MSW student’s annual NICWA membership for only $35! Help students grow their network and be part of a nationwide professional association.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Students can gain so much: • Free monthly webinars, conference calls, and podcasts • Opportunities for resume building with membership in a national professional association • Monthly updates on best practices, policy, research, job, and funding opportunities in the sector • Member discounts for ongoing culturally competent, community-based professional development training rooted in best practice.
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New and Renewing Members Individuals Abalone Jodi Abbott Carma Abeita Jolene Abeyta Cassandra Acuna Edie Adams Cesa Agnes Michelle Aguchak Gail Aguilar Ruby Aguirre-Gutierrez Anita Ahenakew Ruth Ahenakew Cathy Ahiyite Joshua Ahsoak Diane Albert Edward Albert Julia Alfers Thaidra Alfred Harvey Allen Kristin Allen Shirley Allen Marie Allman Deborah Altschul Denise Altvater Alexis Alvarado Josephine Alvarado Gloria Alvarez Gomez Gladys Ambrose Katherine Anderson Rosemary Anderson Jennifer Andrashko Mary I. Andrew Michael Andrew Brad Andrews Frances Andrews Robin Andrews Carol Antone Monica L. Antone Rhonda Apetagon Francesca Apodaca Christina Appodaca Gloria Aranda Tammy Arellano Salvador Armendariz Bobbie Armijo Shirlene Asham Erica Ashby Elvira Aspa Ituau Atimalala Corrina Atkins Julie Atkins Georgette Audy Michael Augustine Nathalie Austin Christine Babcock Savannah Backward Doris Bailon Addie Baker Ann Baker Rebecca Baker Brooke Baracker-Taylor Yvonne Barett David Barfield Robin Barney-Lees Rebecca Barrientos Ivonne Barrios Pepper Barron Bernadine Baskin
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Joe Basler Sue Bates Karen Batson Avilene Bean Jenny Bean Melissa Bear Emerlynne Bear Comes Out Angela Beaver Connie Beck Anita Beckford Jeffrey Bedree Deidre Begay Tina Begay Michelle Bender Laura Bennett Samantha Benson Heather Bergelin Laura Beshear Barbara Bettelyoun Laura Betts Francis Bialy Michelle Big Wolf Patricia BigGeorge Maria J. Bighead Estelle Bighorn Leah Bighorse Kowashay Bigpond Nathan Bill Diana G. Billy-Elliott Erin Binneboese Cheryl Bird Doreen Bird Patricia Black Nikita Black Bear Cynthia Blacksmith Vera Blackwater Richard Blake Miralene Blaylock Shannon Blight Jamie Bloom Bonnie Boek Julia Bogany Patty Bokinac Stephan Borau Elsie Boudreau Jan-Ellen F. Bowman Lynn Braveheart Ivy Breen Catherine Brennan Manson Brigette DJ Bright Nicole Brockie Tabitha Brooks David Brown Elizabeth Brown Gertrude Brown Ronsena Brown Alice Brunk Vera Bruyere Frank Buffalo Shannon Buffalo Erin Burggraf Violet Burnham Penthea Burns Courtney Butler Dawn Butler Terri Butler Guillermo Cabrera Louisa Cadman Christine Cagey Katharine Cahn
Julie Cain Nicole Callahan Kristine Campisi Terri Capoeman Sheila Carl Sandy Carlson Micah Carreon Kellie Carrillo Patti Carrywater Beverley Carter-Buffalo Cameron Catcheway Megan Cavalli Willam Cavanaugh Andrea Cazares-Diego Melissa Celestine Maria E. Chacon Michelle Chalmers Elsie Charging Crow Ida Charlie Chelsey Chartrand Danielle Chartrand Jaime Chartrand Rosita Chavez Loretta Chia Michael Child Saygar Christianson Dana Clarke Brent Clarkson Kim Clemetson Lillian Cleveland Tazalynn Cochise Barbara C. Cole Beverly Cole Nola Coleman Tresia Coleman Desiree Collins Marlena B. Comanche Robin Commanda Veronica Concho Abe Conn Jena Conner Tonnye Conner-White Angela Connor Daryle Conqueringbear Susan Cons Joan Constant Alexis R. Contreras
Meagan Cooke Gwendalle Cooper Howard Copenace Lena Copenace Rosalie Cordova Dorothy Coriz Monica Coriz Stanley Coriz Carol Corn Tania Cornelius Chiara Cournoyer Marena Cross Jackie Crow Shoe Theresa Crown Pat Cuellar Stephanie Cuellar H. Paul Cuero Crystal Cummins Rochelle Curry Kimberly CushwayZepelda Caroline Dailey Jackie Dailey Patricia Danard Sheena Danforth Erica Daniels Frank Daniels Natalie Daniels Linda Dano-Chartrand Sabra Darcy Amanda Daugherty LaTisa Davidson Ann Davis Jodi Davis Mary Dawson Josie R. Dayton Christian De Vito Amber Deal Lester DeCoteau Stephanie DeCoteau Samuel Deere Jessica DeGroot Anne-Marie Dehaas Marlene Dei-Amoah Jennifer Delvin Tilford Denver Valerie Derendoff
Wayne Desjarlais Lorraine Desmarais Joycelyn DesRosier Krystal Devermann Jacalyn Diamond Shirley Diaz Shayne Dickenson-Hall Bernice Discon Lisa Lynn Dobyns Josh Dockstator Amanda Docter Dan Doctor Kara Dodson Kelly Dolan Twyla Dolan Sunni Dominguez Louise Doney Anna Dooley-Alonzo Marietta Dooline Crystal Doolittle Karen Dowan Donald Dowell Katherine Dozette Shanese DreaverJordan Mindy Druschel Angela Duckworth
Jessica Dunayevich Stefanie Duncan Kim Durham Arlyn Eastman Kash Echtenkamp Emma Edwards Karla Eisen Heather Eleazer Cheryl Eleshansky Rebecca Ellis Elsie Elthie Maline Enders Steve Engebretson Antoinette Enos Donald Ense Danielle Ermey Erica Escamilla Christopher Espinosa Jo-El Evans Molly Evans Shoni Evans Silver Evans Faye Ewan Michele Fahley Brianna Fank Carmen Farmer Amanda Farren
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Anne Fast Horse Rachel Felter Marilyn Ferguson Melodie Fernandez David Filby Anita Fineday Fred Fisher Dondieneita FlearySimmons Misty Flewelling Joslyn Flint Amelia Flores Jacqueline Flores Donna May Folger Shannon Fontes Jocelyn Formsma Paul Forney Laurel Foster Sharon Francis Geraldine Frank Ariane Franklin Patti Frasier Melanie Fredericks Andrea French Alan Friedenthal Shane Frisch Margo Fudge
Henrietta Funmaker George Gabel Annette Gachupin Alfreda Gallegos Diana Gamechuck Arnold Garcia Estela Garcia Ivan Garcia Manuel Garcia Merilee Garcia Rick Garcia Jessica Garcia-Jones Claudette Garrow Douglas Gass LeClaire Gayton Suzanne Gebken Faith Gemmill Joan Genereaux Melanie Gensaw Nachya George Natell Geronimo Nathan Gillman Brenda Gilman-Bagwill Agnes Givens Joyce Givens Barbara Gladue Denise Godbehere
Tyler Goddard Ariana Godina Alicia Golchuk Connie Gomez Norma Gonzales Christi Gonzalez Shawna Gonzalez Kathleen Goodale Amiyonette Goodblanket Sarah Goode Jessica Goodrow Lark GoodTracks Michelle Gordon Zahra Goseyun Diane Gould Evangaline Gray Michael Green Rebecca Green Ryan Green Theressa Green Alyssa Gregory Orvena Gregory Agnes Grover Genevieve Guanzon Anna Marie Guerra-White Tasha Guerrero
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Stacy Gundersen Maria Gurrola Veronica Guzman LaDonna Haile Candy Hamilton Joann Hamilton Tracy Haney Heather L. Hansen Marita Hanson Kathryn Harding Glenda Hardy Mosiah Harlan Magdaline Harrina Rita Hart Sadie Hart Genevieve Hatathlie Natalie Hatch Lenny Hayes Travis Heaton Max Hemping Chris Henderson Antoinette Henry Gerdenia Henry John Henry Rachel Hernandez Delores Herrera Micaela Herrera Ana-Maria HerreraMurray Crystal Hickman Casey Hicks John Hill Shawna Hill Tammy Hill Roberta Hillaire Cora Hinton Cindy Hoaglen Jyl Hobbs Dana Hogg Daniel Hosller Heather Hostler Susan Houghton Mary Ann Houle Sandra Howacum Haft Jacoby Howe Melissa Hudspeth Laura Hunker
Anna Hunt Jessica Hunter Lillian Hunter Joyce Huntington Maggi Hutchason Violet Indian Jason Innes Stephanie Iron Shooter Leanna Isaac Elizabeth Ivan Tleena Ives Elena Izaksonas Ladybird Jack Christine Jackson Sammy Jackson Sammy Jackson Sophia Jackson Jane Jackson-Bear Agnes Jacobs Kerry Jacobs Naomi Jacobson Jerry James Penney James Sabrina James Kali Jefferson Chastity Jeffries Kim Jenkins Janifer Jensen Leona Johansson Elizabeth Johnson Jacqueline Johnson Kristine Johnson Lisa Johnson Richard Johnson Charinda Jones Francine E. Jones Skylar Jones Lynnette Jordan Jennifer Jourdain Lawrence Jourdain Esteban Juarez Sampson Juneau Jamie Kaiser Kahelelani Kalama Atwice Kamiakun Haley Kannard Archie Kashoya Melissa Katsikis Megan Keene Rebecca Kellenberg Diane Kelly Edna Kelly Erica Kelly Sheryl Kelly Idella Keluche Carrie Kenny Loranda Kenton Cecila King Lawrence King Darva Kinlicheenie Cerre Knox Joanne Koehler Sharon Kollar Julie Koropatnicki Bridget Koza DoraAnn Kozevnikoff Vanessa Kranz Katrina Krywonis Jamie Kuntz Synethia Kyles Chenoa La Caille Aaron Laff
Candace LaGou Carmella Lambert Frank D. LaMere Gary LaRance Donna Larson Marie Lavallee Catherine Lawrence Robin Leake Virginia Ledoux Heather Lee Donna Lefebvre Cristina Legaspi Iris Leivas Amanda Lelonde Brandy Lemley Marissa Len William Lentz Elaine Levesque Nicomi Levine Nastasia LeviThompson Angela Lewis Jennifer Lewis Lovel Lewis Melvin Lewis Tom Lidot Sylvia Lightning Koren Lightning-Earle Ashley Little Carol Little Shannon Little Jeannette Little Sun Cina Littlebird Tomasita Littlecrow Bonnie Lockhart Bruce Lofland Rachael Lolnitz Esmeralda Lomeli Tessa Lonewolf Allison R. Long Debra Lopez Elvia Belen Lopez George Lopez Rebecca Loudbear Helen Louis Robert Louis Jeff Louissaint Guadian Lourdes Stephanie Lozano Kristin Lucero Nancy Lucero Robert Ludgate Alicia Lujan Rita Lujan Abbey Lukowski Jenn Lundin Mindy Lunsford David Macarro Yvette Macdonald Victor Machiche Madeleine MacIvor Amira Madison Luke Madrigal Nakomis Maher Emily Main Kevin Maldonado Twila Mallari David Malleis Samala Maloney Denise Malutin Betsy Mandamin Isaac Mandamin
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Mable Mandamin Amanda Manley Austin Mann Patrice Manton Claudio Mantovani Lorenzo Manuel Mildred Manuel Ann Many Birds Deatra Manzanilla Lisa Mariano Charles Martin Lexus Martin Lisa Martin Marie Martin Kandis Martine Lisa Martinez MistiFawn Martinez Shary Mason Amy Mathieson Martha-Jane Matthews Barbara May Joel Mayfield Lisa D. Maynard Michael Maytwayashing
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Alex Mazurek Shelley Mbonu Adrianne McBride Mary McCarthy Patrick McCarty Sandra S. McCook Tameka McCray Victoria McDaniel Jasmine McDonald Patricia McDonald Traci McGarry Melissa McGee Melissa McGeshick Susan McGeshick Kimberley McKay Barb McMillen Edna McPherson Alicia Medina Alix Melton Veralyn Mendez Dominic Messerly Kimberly Mettler Alicia Meyers Doreen Meyers
Felicia Miguel Teresa Migwans Tina Milburn Cynthia Miller Pam Miller Stephanie Miller Tiajuan Miller Meegan Miloud Natalia Miranda Michelle Mitchell Elise Mix Steven Molina Elexa Mollet Vinetta Monias Sophia Montero Amanda Montgomery David Montoya Janice Montoya Monica Montoya Robyn Moostoos Angela Moreno Patricia Morgan Janet Morin Violet Morin Jan Morris Mellonee Morris Mariah Morrison Jenna Morrisseau Judy Morrisseau Lucille Morrisseau Leslie Morton Shara Moscinska Keith Moses Lola Moses John Moss Tania Mota Kathy Mullally Nancy Mullis Nikki Munholand April Munks Diane Munn Gina Munnell Davis Munro Vicky Murray Delores Musqua Lenore Myer-Nault
William Myers Dan Nachor Myrna Napish Angela Naquayouma Anne Nava Karla Nayokpuk Dena Ned Bette Nelson Katheryn Nenneman Joyce Newman Rebecca Newton Kim Nicholls Crystal Nielsen Kyndall Noah Gail Noltcho-Clarke Beaver North Cloud Timothy Nugent Christina Nunn Linda Oberle C.J. O’Berry Laurinda O’Brien Carissa O’Dell Derek Ogden Mary Ohara Matt Ohman Emma Olanna Marcy D. Oliver Timothy Oliver Narcisse (Dusty) Olson Rose M. Orrantia Theresa Ortiz Tracy Ottertail Cheri Outcelt Carrie Owen Faith Owen Jason Pablo Yolanda Pablo Denise Packo Rebecca Pahe Olivia Paker Pauline Palacios Sarah Parisian Crystal Parker Doreen Parmeter Kerry Partridge Melissa Patriquin Billie Patterson Josephine Paukan Helen Paul Terry Paypompee Carolyn Peacock Peter J. Pecora Selena Peloquin Charlotte Penn Joe Perez Phillip Perez Tracy Perez Anne Perrault DeeAnna Personius Priscilla Peshlakai Filma Peter Gary Peterson Lori Pettibone Dallas Pettigrew Charlotte Pfeiffer Christine Phillips Alison Phongsavath Brooke Pinkham Randy Pitaqanakwat Gina Plumer Joseph Plumer Helen Poitra-Chalmers
Aimee Polit Kristen Potts Lisa Powell Misty Powell Brooke Powskey Melissa Price Trista Priest Wendy Prince Matt Purcell Lori Quam Samantha Querubin Donna Quintana Vanessa Racehorse Neil (Noble) Ramgoolam Andrea Ramirez Maria Ramirez Bernadine Ramon Ron Ranville Lynette Rawlings Stephanie RaygozaGarcia Leslie Razo Carlotta Red Leaf Karen Red Owl Elizabeth RedFeather Julia Redsky Melanie Reece Kara Lynn Regula Meghan Reid Amy Remes Loui Reyes Kristine Reynard Shelby Reynolds Tara Reynon Tim Reynon Brittany Rice Crystal Rice Marina Rice Jim Richardson Megan Riffle Rebecca Riley Melissa Rininger Ruth Riordan Crystal Rios Gina Rivera Lizette Rivera Dean Roan Sherry Robbins Michelle M. Robertson Wihinna Robideau Brenda Robinson Earl Robinson Steven Rocker Natalia Rodgers Gloria Rodriguez Mona Rodriguez Sylvie Rollins Britta Roosendahl Carol Rose Laurie Rose Amanda Rosetta Grace Rowan Sonya Rowland Carmon Rudd Linda Ruis Maria Ruiz-Vasquez Dave Rundle Heidi Running Wolf Paulette Running Wolf Jenny Rush-Buffalohead Frances Ruvalcaba Charity Sabido-Hodges
Rita Sage Desiree Salazar Monica Salazar Neda Salem Minnie Sallison-Fritts Paula Salter Corrinna Sam Jana Sam Rachel Samuel Roban L. San Miguel Jenae Sanchez Tony Sanchez Warren Sanchez Victoria Sandberg Ann Sander Cheryl Sanderson Karen Sanderson Sylvia Sanderson Carla Sandia Yonevea Sapcut Lisa Sasakamoose Heather Sather Lovina Saul Leah Sautelet Alita Sauve Keely Sawyer Angel Scherer Daniel Schneider Andrew Schoedel Tina J. Schubert Charlotte Scott Natalie Scott April Seciwa Gina Secord Delphine Segodi Dicie Seitz Megan Sennie Robert Sequak Winnifred Serawop Darlene Seschilie Alan Sevison LaDonna Shadlow Kenny Shane Sarah Shannacappo Lisa Shelde Brett Lee Shelton Deborah Shemayme Corissa Shepherd Bruce Shillingsworth Mandy Shilts Farrell Shortman Mary Shoulderblade Amber Sierra Tania Silva-Johnson Virge Silveira Nanette C. Silveroli Teresa Simeon-Hunter Hilary Simms Brittany Simonson Lorraine Sinclair Terri Sinclair Charlotte Singh Bronte Sitting Eagle Gayle SkunkCap Cara Small Carol Smith Christy Smith Isabel Smith Kimberly Smith Marwin Smith Robin Smith Salena Snake
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
New and Renewing Members Steven Sochay Natalie Soder Kelsey Soles Shelly Solopow Shannon Sommer Vitamay Southworth Sarah Spaner Sharon Sparks Bernadette Spence John Spence Roger Spencer Danielle Stagaman Angie Stagg Darren Stand Paulette Standingrock Rosella Stanley Leona Starr Kevin Steele Tyson Steen Elizabeth Steven Justina Stewart Nancylee Stewart Marie Stewman Jacqueline Strand Phyllis Stricklan Charlene Striling Carolyn Strong Jules Summers Laurie Sun Child Serene Sunchild Joan Surechief Martha Suta Ramirez Beverly Sutton Maria Swain Jessica Szacik Lisa Tange Ina Tanner Joanne Tanner-Moar Dana Taylor Elizabeth Taylor Myranda Taylor Sheila Taylor Bernie Teba Felix Tenorio Lurlyn Tenorio Alyssa Thom Cheryl Thomas Irene Thomas Maureen Thomas Wendy Thomas
Kaetie Thompson Kellie Thompson Lawanna Thompson Rachelle Thompson Michelle Thomson Mahogany Timmons Thomas Timoteo Tristan Tipps-Webster Verna Tittle Miriam Titus Frances Toddy Dawn Tootoosis Danielle Tosa Sandra Trabue Bernadette Trujillo Johanna Tsatoke Candice Tso Crescentia Tso Charlene TsoodleMarcus Arlene Tucker Elma Tucker Betsy Tulee Anne Turnbull Jennifer Turner Melody Turner Bear Cub Twilia Karla Two Two Valerie Uken Jessica S. Ullrich Glorianna Under Baggage Brenda Urbina Chenoa Urness Maria Valandra Georgia Valdez Derek Valdo Gilbert Valenzuela Juanita Valenzuela Fernando Valladarez Colinda Vallo Jenifer Van Schuyver Linda Vande Lune Veronica Varela Valerie Vasquez Martha Velazco Andrea Velazquez Moana Vercoe Vilma Vere Tara Verner
Kelly Vickrey Ashley Villagomes Brenda Villalba Michelle Virden Thomas Wabnum Darlene Wagner Miranda Wagner Paula WagnerBellingham Brian Wahnee Toni Wahnee Arlene Wahwasuck Brian Walker Heidi Walker Joe Walker Lenora Walker Linnea Walker Maria Walker Oliviah Walker Tammy Walker Kari Walkingagle Vincent G. Wallulatum Tamara Walters Christine Waquie Katherine Washburn Jayna Wasky Emma Wassillie Georgiann Wassillie Anita Waterman Stacie Waters Maigan Watson Charlotte Watters Susie Wauneka Marcel Weasel Head Joleen Weatherwax Jenn Weber Stephanie Weldon Susan Wells Bonnie Wesley Melanie Wheeler Carrie Whiskers Clarence White Irene White Janette White Monyca White Rene White Sunshine White Hair Nancy White Horse Angelina Whitehorse Geraldine Whiteman
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Lyssa Wier Carolyn Williams Jeanette Williams Joni Williams Melissa Williams Norma Williams Sinea Williams Carol Williamson Alyssa Willie Shane Wilmer Donna Wilson James Wilson Juliann Wilson Valerie Wilson Velvet Wilson Constance Winters Nicole Winters Anna Wiseman Geri Wisner Virginia Wolf Lachelle Wood Carleigh Wreggitt Jessica Wright Travis Wright Ali Wykis Jewel Wynn Olga Xavier May Yamate Temre Yann Michael E. Yates Erin Yava Dacia Yazzie Sherri Yazzie Angela Yerxa Savannaroth Dean Yik Jennifer Yogi Kalina Youngman Tracy Zamora Turquoise Lisa Barbry Laura L. Bentle Christopher Blake Stephanie Carter Evelyn Cass Erica Costa LaVerne Demientieff Rebecca Fish Debra Foxcroft Danielle Glenn-Rivera Shaneen Hammond Kose Ikenasio Nadja P. Jones Karen Kallen-Brown Love Kiracofe Gerald Koch Allison Leof Jaynie Lewis-Garcia Candi Marcantel Nanookasi Matanakiwan Kathleen McKee Nancy B. Miller Judy A. Morrison Stacie Oso Jacy Romero Ahniwake Rose Monica Roth Day Emily Matt Salois Donalyn Sarracino Donna Schmalberger Trisha Smith
Tina Timmons Larry Townsend Jennifer Valdo Gail White Eagle Ross Wright Coral Stephanie Benally Heather Capistrant Camilla Chouteau Mike Fisher Lea Ann Holder Karan Kolb Rovianne Leigh Anemone Mars Jo Prout Matthew D. Slater
Tribes Cedar Cedarville Rancheria Cherokee Nation Cherokee Nation Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc. Elk Valley Rancheria Forest County Potawatomi Hoh Indian Tribe Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Native Village of Kotzebue Navajo Nation Nome Eskimo Community Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma Pueblo de San Ildefonso Quapaw Tribe Quartz Valley Indian Reservation Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Ute Indian Tribe Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Sage Ak-Chin Indian Community Kenaitze Indian Tribe Match-E-Be-NashShe-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Sandia Pueblo Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
Seminole Tribe of Florida Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma
Organizations Cedar Bureau of Indian Affairs Eastern Oklahoma Region Chugachmiut, Inc. Copper River Native Association Denver Indian Family Resource Center, Inc. Handel Information Technologies Humboldt State University, Department of Social Work Indian People’s Action Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services University of OK National Resource Center for Youth Services Wind Creek Hospitality Sage AMERIND Risk Casey Family Programs- Joan Poliak Seattle Field Office Casey Family Programs-Arizona Casey Family Programs-Austin Casey Family Programs-Bay Area Casey Family Programs-Denver Casey Family ProgramsHeadquarters Casey Family Programs-Idaho Casey Family Programs-LA County Casey Family Programs-San Antonio Casey Family Programs-San Diego Casey Family Programs-Yakima Comcast NBCUniversal Eaglesun Systems Products
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NICWA News National Indian Child Welfare Association 5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon 97239 PHONE: (503) 222-4044 FAX: (503) 222-4007 WEB: www.nicwa.org
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