NICWA News The National Indian Child Welfare Assocation’s Quarterly Newsletter Summer 2012
Service and Advocacy for Indian Children
Message From Executive Director Terry Cross Dear Members and Supporters: Welcome to the latest issue of NICWA News, our quarterly newsletter. In this issue, we detail some of the activities that have made the first half of 2012 one of the busiest in our organization’s history. At the heart of NICWA’s mission to promote the well-being of all Indian children and families is our commitment to provide and facilitate meaningful training, technical assistance, and other educational opportunities for those working in the field of Indian child welfare. Every year, these activities culminate at our annual Protecting Our Children National American Indian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. This year’s conference—held in Scottsdale, Arizona—featured over 800 participants and offered over 50 workshops, plenary sessions, focus groups, and discussion sessions to foster collaborative learning among attendees. While the conference provides a wonderful showcase for our outreach and training efforts, our program staff also provide training and technical assistance throughout the United States year round. To reflect these activities, I’m pleased to present a new feature of NICWA News in this issue. The Where We’ve Been map illustrates just how expansive our outreach into Indian Country is. Increasingly, we field requests for training, technical assistance, and fee-for-service work all over the country. I’m proud to report that every dot on our Where We’ve Been map represents a strengthening of our relationship with a tribe or tribal community through our training services. In fact, this issue also highlights recently awarded grant funding from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians that will allow NICWA to expand our capacity to provide fee-for-service work in the future. Finally, NICWA had some valuable opportunities to maintain its voice as a leading national advocate for the implementation of and compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act. My presentation to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and our participation in a Montana listening session are detailed in this issue. This work would not be possible without the generous support of friends like you. Thank you. Sincerely,
What’s Inside the Summer 2012 Issue:
Letter from the Executive Director...................................................................................................p. 2 NICWA Board and Staff...................................................................................................................p. 3 Conference Update.....................................................................................................................pp. 4-5 Board Updates...........................................................................................................................pp. 5-6 Where We’ve Been..........................................................................................................................p. 5 Upcoming Events...........................................................................................................................p. 6 Terry Cross Presents to UN............................................................................................................p. 7 Inside NICWA................................................................................................................................p. 8 Montana Listening Session............................................................................................................p. 9 Membership Update...............................................................................................................pp. 9-11 Donors........................................................................................................................................p. 12 San Manuel Funding...................................................................................................................p. 12 In Memoriam........................................................................................................................pp.14-15
The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is a national voice for American Indian children and families. We are the most comprehensive source of information and the only national American Indian organization focused specifically on the tribal capacity to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect and related issues.
Board of Directors
President Maurice Lyons (Morongo Band of Mission Indians)
Vice President Theodore Nelson, Sr. (Seminole)
Secretary Treasurer Rochelle Ettawageshi (Little Gary Peterson Traverse Bay Band of Odawa) (Skokomish)
Members
Linda Logan (Choctaw) Luke Madrigal (Cahuilla Band of Indians) Robert R. McGhee (Poarch Band of Creek Indians) Mary Tenorio (Santo Domingo) Derek Valdo (Acoma Pueblo) Gil Vigil (Tesuque) Jalea Walker (Smith River Rancheria, Tolowa) Jeffrey C. Whelan (St. Regis Mohawk)
Marla Jean Big Boy (Oglala Sioux) Patricia Carter (Nez Perce) Anita Chisholm (Absentee Shawnee) Paul Day (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) Jennifer Elliott (Sac and Fox) Donne Fleagle (Athabaskan) Jocelyn Formsma (Swampy Cree) Debra Foxcroft (Tseshaht)
Board of Regents
Brad Earl (Nez Perce descendent) David Powless (Oneida) Sherry Salway Black (Oglala Lakota) Don Sampson (Walla Walla) John Shagonaby (Potawatomi) Mike Tiger (Seminole Tribe of Florida)
Council of Elders
Lola Sohappy (Warm Springs) William Clark (Cherokee) Don Milligan (Métis: Cree/Assiniboine, Yakama Nation, Kootenai)
Strategic Leadership Council Jefferson Keel (Chickasaw) Ernie Stevens, Jr. (Oneida)
NICWA Staff Terry L. Cross (Seneca) Executive Director
Fannie Black (Yup’ik) Director of Operations
Melissa Clyde (Navajo) Senior Program Director
Sarah Kastelic (Alutiiq) Chief of Staff
Nicole Adams (Colville), Executive Communications Manager
Ashley Horne, Senior Government Affairs Associate
Mark Anaruk (Inupiaq), Community Development Specialist
Nadja Jones (Comanche/Onondaga Nation), Senior Community Development Specialist
Kimberly Barber (Navajo), Fiscal Support Specialist Tia Begay (Navajo), Financial Services Coordinator
Sarah Keefe, Development Manager
Debra Clayton (St. Croix Chippewa), Community Development Specialist
Jen Rountree, Development Assistant/Research Assistant Margie Sarna-Wojcicki, Member Relations Manager
Alexis Contreras (Grand Ronde), Project Support
Matthew Scott (Siletz), Executive Assistant
NICWA News
Laurie Evans (Chickasaw), Event Manager
David Simmons, Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy
Carmen Farmer, Operations Specialist
Addie Smith, Government Affairs Associate
5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon, 97239 P: (503) 222-4044 F: (503) 222-4007 www.nicwa.org COVER PHOTO: “Growing Family”, original artiwork by Virginia Stroud
Valorie Gaede (Shoshone-Bannock), Project Support
Rudy Soto (Shoshone-Bannock), Youth Engagement Specialist
Ashley Harding (Navajo), Community Development Specialist
April Ybarra, Project Support
Published by the National Indian Child Welfare Assocation
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The National Indian Child Welfare Association
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Protecting Our Children Conference celebrates milestone
(Milestone, continued)
allowed NICWA’s full membership the opportunity to thank some of NICWA’s most generous funders from years past, to Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Night, to the dinner banquet that featured the inaugural presentation of the Champion for Indian Children Award to the family of Phyllis J. Bigpond. Finally, the comedy duo, James and Ernie, performed at the banquet.
For three decades, the annual Protecting Our Children National American Indian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect has provided a venue for collaboration, sharing best practices, and gathering support for work in the field of Indian child welfare. This event, started at the University of Oklahoma as a project of now-NICWA Board Member Anita Chisholm, has grown to a multi-national training, information, and networking event that caters to a wide audience. Attendees represent grassroots child welfare professionals; leaders at the tribal, state, and federal levels; youth; parents; guardians; elders; extended family members; and countless others. This landmark 30th conference—which took place at the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s Radisson resort in Scottsdale, Arizona—included 800 total participants, students, presenters, keynotes, and vendors.
NICWA thanks the attendees, sponsors, keynote speakers, workshop presenters, volunteers, exhibitors, and local planners for their participation and support. Additionally, we would like to extend personal Angela Marshall of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids thanks to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s Wassaja Family Serand Jackie Bird participate in a funder honor vices for their efforts to make this conference an unforgettable experisong during the membership reception. ence for both the residents and visitors to the Southwest. Jacob Coin addresses the membership reception to announce a donation on behalf of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
We hope that you will be able to join us in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the 31st Annual Protecting Our Children National American Indian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect on April 7–10, 2013!
Debra Foxcroft, NICWA board member, elected to Tseshaht council
During the opening general session, NICWA Board Members Gary Peterson and Anita Chisholm discussed three decades of conference highlights. Their comments were followed by a performance of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s H’man’Shawa Early Childhood Development Center’s youth, who performed their nation’s anthem in both their tribal language and English.
On May 23, 2012, longtime NICWA Board Member Debra Foxcroft was sworn in as a member of the Tseshaht First Nation Tribal Council in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada.
NICWA was fortunate to feature two attorneys of historical importance to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 as keynote speakers. Edwin Smith, the attorney who argued the 1989 ICWA case Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians v. Holyfield before the United States Supreme Court, shared with conference attendees an inside perspective of that landmark case, and how it has shaped subsequent Indian child welfare law. Phillip BakerShenk, one of the original authors of ICWA, focused his remarks on the critical need to harness the stories of participants’ work and experiences in Indian child welfare in order to protect ICWA for future generations. Also offered at the general sessions were two panels focusing on strategic partnerships. “Using Today’s Media to Tell the Story of Our American Indian and Alaska Native Children” featured a panel of media professionals advising on how to explore solutions and strategies to partner with the media to improve ICWA compliance. “There is No Greater Resource than Our Children: Making Sure Partnerships Adhere to ICWA Compliance” highlighted examples of best practices in ICWA compliance with panel representatives from both tribal and urban Indian organizations. Conference workshops included topics such as tribal in-home services, accessing Title IV-E funding, integrative youth development, digital outreach, grant writing, historical trauma, and collaboration with courts to support ICWA compliance. In addition, high school youth participated in a listening and learning session conducted by NICWA staff, the InterTribal Youth Council of Arizona, and the Fort McDowell Tribe’s youth outreach program. Evening events varied from the NICWA membership reception that
Participants network between sessions.
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Debra Foxcroft signs her oath of office. Photo courtesy of Ha-Shilth-Sa/ Debora Steel.
We are honored to work with this leader.” Foxcroft has been a NICWA board member since 1996.
Where we’ve been January—June 2012
As part of our mission, NICWA’s program staff provides training and technical assistance for communities throughout the nation. NICWA works hard to create technical assistance trainings that meet the needs of individual tribal communiities. Here is where we’ve been so far in 2012. To request a training, contact NICWA at (503) 222-4044. 5
NICWA Executive Director Terry Cross celebrated the news by stating, “That Debra was elected to tribal council comes as no surprise to those of us who have worked alongside her over the years. She cares deeply for her community, and for the well-being of all Indigenous people, and has dedicated her life to serving them selflessly.
NICWA Board of Directors welcomes four new members
The NICWA board of directors welcomes four new members to its ranks. In 2011, Robbie McGhee and Jeffrey Whelan were appointed to open seats on the board. McGhee currently serves as tribal council treasurer and governmental relations advisor for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Atmore, Alabama. He brings extensive experience working with all levels of government to the NICWA board, and serves on the Public Policy and Fundraising Committees. As social services commissioner, Whelan manages the Human Services Division for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe in Akwesasne, New York. Whelan’s decades of experience working on Native American children’s issues and alcohol and drug treatment services make him a strong asset on the NICWA board’s Public Policy and Program Committees.
Board Chair Maurice Lyons with Baby Bella.
In 2012, Derek Valdo and Luke Madrigal successfully ran for additional open seats on the NICWA board of directors. Valdo is a member of the Pueblo of Acoma Tribal Council in New Mexico and is director of safety services for AMERIND Risk Management Corporation.
Madrigal is the executive director of Indian Child and Family Services in Temecula, California. He is a former member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians Tribal Council and has been extensively involved in developing, implementing, and delivering services to tribal children and families on local, state, and federal levels. NICWA welcomes them to the board.
Upcoming Events NICWA Training Institutes September 5–7, 2012 Portland, Oregon • Promoting Youth and Family Involvement • Promoting Best Practices in Engagement and Recruitment of Tribal Foster Homes NICWA Annual Golf Tournament November 12, 2012 The Country Club at Soboba Springs, San Jacinto, California
NICWA Training Institutes December 4–6, 2012 Portland, Oregon • Making the Right Decision: Is Title IV-E Right for Your Community? • Strengthening Policy and Procedures for Tribal Social Services—A Writing Clinic 31st Annual Protecting Our Children National American Indian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect April 7–10, 2013 Tulsa, Oklahoma
To register for an event, please visit www.nicwa.org/calendar. 6
Cross presents to United Nations Special Rapporteur
NICWA Executive Director Terry Cross made an impassioned speech to United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples James Anaya on April 30, 2012, at the Native American Youth and Family Center in Portland, Oregon. Professor Anaya was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to visit Indigenous communities to gather information from Indigenous people and communities on possible violations of human rights in order to formulate recommendations to address and remedy them. Below are excerpts from his speech. “The mission of the National Indian Child Welfare Association is the well-being of Indian children and families. Since 1983, we’ve been working on compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act. Prior to the Indian Child Welfare Act, we know that 85 to 95 percent of children in Indian Country were placed in non-Indian homes when they went into foster care. One in every four of our children were removed from their families, from their culture, from their communities. Lobbying by tribes all over the country resulted in the Indian Child Welfare Act, which was designed to prevent that removal.
“So we wonder, when Congress passes a law about Indigenous people and puts no enforcement into that law, how is that better than nothing at all?” -NICWA Executive Director Terry Cross
Unfortunately, we continue to struggle with that law. We work tirelessly to try to enforce the law, and we’ve had some good successes. We’ve made progress in getting ICWA written into state laws. But still, across the country, many states, many jurisdictions refuse to recognize ICWA, or fail to place within the preferences, or fail to use expert witnesses as is required. Right down the line, the violations of the law continue. We know that across the country, the disproportionate placement rates of our children, in some communities, are almost as high as before the law was passed.
[Native] children are placed in the child welfare system at a disproportionate rate to other children. But it is a misnomer to say that they more often encounter the child welfare system when, in fact, they’re more often placed but less often provided services that help their families stay together. [Native] families are less likely to get drug and alcohol treatment. They’re less likely to get mental health treatment. They’re less likely to get family preservation services. They’re less likely to get parent education, and more likely to have the children removed from their care. We see these problems, and yet, the resources that are dedicated to overcoming the problems are less than those put into the child welfare system for all children. The funding for the Indian Child Welfare Act’s implementation is the same today as it was in 1988. We simply can’t do this work without resources. Our hope is that the UN—through your office—can bring pressure on the government to enforce its own law, because when we go to federal bureaucrats and ask, “What about enforcement?” we’re told by the Bureau of Indian Affairs that it’s not their job. It’s somebody else’s job, maybe the Justice Department. And we go to the Justice Department and they say, “No, maybe that’s the BIA.” We go to the Administration for Children and Families, and they say, “No, that’s not our job.” So we wonder, when Congress passes a law about Indigenous people and puts no enforcement into that law, how is that better than nothing at all? It is extremely important that we think about these issues, and we attack them from all fronts. We welcome the support of your office to help us address this disproportionate and wrong placement, the unnecessary break up of our families, and the attack that constitutes on our culture. Thank you.” 7
Inside NICWA
business network. Sarah graduated from the University of Iowa as an English major with a concentration in writing.
New Staff Join NICWA
NICWA’s newest government affairs associate Adrian (Addie) Smith graduated in 2012 from the dual law and social work program at Washington University in St. Louis where her studies focused on the intersection of race, family, and public policy. She joined NICWA after interning with the government affairs and advocacy team in the summer of 2011. As government affairs associate, Addie works with tribes, tribal policymaking organizations, and state and federal governments on policy development and federal funding issues in efforts to support tribal sovereignty and promote the well-being of children and families.
Ashley K. Harding (Diné) is NICWA’s newest community development specialist. She obtained her bachelor of arts degree in political science with a specialization in American Indian Studies at Michigan State University. Ashley came to NICWA after working for the Ingham County Health Department in Lansing, Michigan, providing direct services to American Indian/First Nations elders, families, children, and individuals through the Native American Outreach Program. While in Michigan, Ashley codeveloped the Indigenous Youth Empowerment Program to address the cultural, health, educational, and community needs of Indigenous youth. At NICWA, Ashley is deeply involved in outreach to Alaska Native communities, and addressing the disproportionality of Alaska Native children in out-of-home placements in the State of Alaska.
NICWA Senior Program Director Clyde wins prestigious award
The Brown School at Washington University awarded NICWA Senior Program Director Melissa Clyde its Distinguished Alumni Award during its annual alumni awards celebration held on May 2, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Nicole Adams (Colville) brings over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and communications sectors to her role as executive communications manager. Nicole has worked extensively in the Native nonAs one of only three alumni to receive the honor, profit sector at such organizations as the American Clyde was cited as an “everyday hero” who creates Indian College Fund, change in her comthe Center for Native “My dream has been to create an op- positive munity, and well-deserving Education, and United portunity for the invisible to be visible, of being selected as this Indians of All Tribes year’s GOLD (graduate of Foundation. She gradu- to listen to those who are not heard, ated from Dartmouth and to empower others to feel as if they the last decade) recipient. College with a bachelor are worthy.” In receiving the award, of arts degree in gov-NICWA Senior Program Director Clyde stated, “I am humernment and a minor Melissa Clyde bled and honored to be acin Native American knowledged for the service Studies, and received I do in the field of social her master of education work. The work is an ongoing challenge, and I don’t degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education. do this work alone. Caring, respectful, and strong leaders and mentors at the National Indian Child Sarah Keefe is NICWA’s new development manager. She implements NICWA’s development plan to ensure Welfare Association surround me. My dream has been to create an opportunity for the invisible to be visible, the long-term sustainability and success of NICWA’s to listen to those who are not heard, and to empower programs and services. She came to NICWA after others to feel as if they are worthy.” five years of fundraising for a variety of child welfare and social justice nonprofit organizations. Sarah first moved to Portland in 2007 to work as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for ONABEN, a Native American 8
NICWA participates in listening session
Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, sponsored two listening sessions in Montana in early May intended to provide a forum for tribal leadership and invited guests to discuss how to strengthen protections for American Indian children and their families. NICWA was among those invited, with Board Member Marla Jean Big Boy and government affairs director David Simmons participating. The discussion touched on several themes, particularly the role that trauma plays in shaping tribal children’s and families’ well-being. Participants discussed the importance of children and families being able to tell their stories and help educate others regarding the impact of trauma in the community. To help build tribal capacity, participants cited the need for more direct funding from federal sources. Tribal leadership described how the federal trust relationship requires the federal government to work directly with tribal governments. They stressed that when tribes work through states to access federal funding or services, they often do not receive sufficient access to these resources. Senator Baucus’s staff indicated that there will be additional opportunities for discuss these issues with tribes in the coming months with a goal of helping tribes develop new opportunities to meet the needs of tribal children and families.
Membership Update
At the close of our fiscal year, NICWA is happy to welcome the newest members of our organization and extend our true appreciation to our renewing members who continue to support NICWA year after year. We are grateful to see steady growth in our membership network and look forward to serving the over 300 tribes, organizations, and individuals who share our commitment to protecting the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and families. Last summer, NICWA received funding from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for a three-year project to strengthen its membership network and better meet the information needs of AI/AN children and families and the Indian child welfare professionals who serve them. During this important phase of expansion, we are working to ensure that the growth in NICWA’s membership network reflects the diversity of tribal and urban communities in all regions of the country. NICWA is also reaching out to individuals who serve AI/ AN children and families in a variety of capacities, including engaging more legal professionals and university students and faculty.
Diamond
This spring NICWA member Dan Aune, MSW, president of Aune Associates Consulting, has provided our first free membership webinar series focused on developing and sustaining new behavioral health organizations in tribal communities. We are excited to see this new member activity get off the ground and extend our gratitude to Dan for sharing his knowledge and expertise. If you are interested in participating in future membership webinars or sharing information in your area of expertise with fellow NICWA members, please contact Margie Sarna, member relations manager, at margaret@nicwa.org. 9
New and Renewing Members January 28–May 31, 2012
Tribal Members Coral
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Association of Village Council Presidents Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Greenville Rancheria Kalispel Tribe of Indians Morongo Band of Mission Indians Nisqually Indian Tribe Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians
Turquoise
Casey Family Programs—Austin Casey Family Programs—Bay Area Casey Family Programs—Denver, Indian Child Welfare Program Casey Family Programs—Headquarters Casey Family Programs—Idaho Casey Family Programs—LA County Casey Family Programs—San Antonio Casey Family Programs—San Diego Casey Family Programs—Seattle Casey Family Programs—Yakima
Turquoise
CASA of Cherokee Country Cenpatico of Arizona Handel Information Technologies Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP National CASA Association Sans Pareil Center for Children and Family Services The Episcopal Church
Individual Members Aboriginal Children and Families Chiefs' Coalition Associate Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Jefferson Keel Barona Band of Mission Indians Robert Miller Bishop Paiute Tribe Terryl J. Ross Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe Colorado River Indian Tribes Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian ReservaCoral tion Katherine Cahn Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Don Milligan Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Turquoise Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Tammy Arellano Miami Nation of Oklahoma Anita Arnold Pala Band of Mission Indians Tonya Barnes Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Karen Blakeney Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Adolphus Cameron Quinault Indian Nation Paul W. Day Samish Indian Nation Nancy Dufraine San Carlos Apache Nation Debra Foxcroft Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Kelly Gamboa NICWA staff gather at their recent retreat. Small Tribes Organization of Western Danielle Glenn-Rivera Washington Lisa Greif Southcentral Foundation Marian S. Harris Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nadja Jones Sarah Kastelic Organizational Members Laura Lein Coral Robert Lindecamp Casey Family Programs—Arizona Cynthia Mackay 10
Baby Cason
Cori Matthew Annie Merritt Wanda Seppanen Glenda Snyder Glenna Van Zant
Abalone
Ruth Abeyta Jody Alholinna Beverly Anderson Brenda Bagwill Shirley Barber Claudia Bennington John Berry Athena Bettger Angela Bibens Robyn Black Feather Elizabeth T. Blue Misty J. Brammer Carole Butzke Cheryl A. Byers Jonathan Clayton William Coleman Robin Commanda Heather Craig-Oldsen Jason Cross Jennifer M. Cruze Joni Davis-Drake Soma de Bourbon Karen Dellelo Virginia Drywater-Whitekiller Lucille Echohawk Irene Eldridge Frank Ettawageshik Rochelle Ettawageshik Charlotte Goodluck Jess Grow Hodges
Adele Guyer Lise Hayden Kristi Hill Judy Houck Yvonne Ito Gina Jackson Barbara James Pam Karalunas Ellen Kemper Alisa Klein Carleen Kurip Kathleen Lagerquist Traci L. LaLiberte Linda Logan Allison Long Sandra Macauley Cynthia Marchand-Cecil Margaret Martin Wesley Martin Virginia Matte Terry McAnally Doreen N. McPaul Winnie Mendivil William A. Metcalfe Paul Minehart Sandy Momper Jerene Museth William Myers Jeanette Ninham Susan Paquet
Brenda Covington and Baby Aaron
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Gary Peterson Michael Polowy Judi Raley-Higgins Lydia Ramirez Ahniwake Rose Kathleen Ross Jen Rountree Michelle Sanderson Deborah Scott Matthew Scott Patrick Shannon Regina Shelton Carol L. Silva Beverly Skenandore Theresa Stewart Lois Strong Dennis Swain Kristie Swanson Misty Thomas Linda K. Thompson Dale Twedt Gil Vigil Kelli Weaver Alex Wesaw Penny Westing Brandelle Whitworth Jerry Williams Erma Yellowman
Donors
January 28–May 31, 2012
Organization Donors
Tribal Donors
Local Independent Charities of America
Kewa Health Board, Inc. Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Poarch Band of Creek Indians Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Skokomish Tribal Nation
Foundation Funders
Johnson Scholarship Foundation Posel Foundation
Individual Donors Anonymous Ruth Abeyta Nicole Adams Raphael Bear Moina Bey Fannie L. Black Victoria Bowyer Catherine Bryan Helene Buster Katherine Cahn Brian Callaghan Loretta Chia Troland Clay Lee Collins Robin Commanda Joan Constant Adam Coonin Andrea Cousparis Terry Cross Priscilla Day Richard J. De La Ronde Nicolle Demarsh Majel Demarsh Conita Desautel John EchoHawk Jennifer Elliott Laurie Evans Kaye J. Exo Sandra Ann Farber Carmen Farmer Lauren Finkelstein Jocelyn Formsma
Valorie Gaede Rachelle Goldenberg Agnes Grover Gilbert Grover Andrew Grover Richard Guest Erica Hankin Teri Haymond Lea Ann Holder Mirna T. Holton Jason Hunter Julia Jaakola William John Kim Johnson Sarah Kastelic Darin Keewatin Janet L. King Bryan Krizek Shawn Lindsay Linda Logan Maurice Lyons Eva Martinez-DeVourseney Robbie McGhee Arun K. Meelyan Sandra Mithlo Richard Nelson Morgan O’Brien Yvonne Peterson Gary Peterson Michael Petoskey Henrietta Pratt Ray Ramirez
Debra Ray Lillie Reed Meredith Robbins Mike Roberts Sylvia Sanderson Margie Sarna Pam Silas Jody Smith Sheldon Spotted Elk Robyn Stevenson Shanna Stewart Cheryl Topash Tom Topash Jack Trope Gil Vigil Elsie Watchman Jeffery Whelan Sylvia Williams Anita Wittal
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians funds expansion of NICWA feefor-service work Indicating its intent to focus increasingly on providing individualized training and technical assistance to its constituents, NICWA has secured nearly $40,000 in funding from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to assess and evaluate its current training services and systems, and to launch its expansion of fee-for-service work.
“This is an important aspect of our growth and representative of our stewardship,” said longtime NICWA Board Member and current Board Treasurer Gary Peterson. “To better meet tribal needs and to diversify NICWA’s Jacob Coin presents a donation from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to Terry Cross. budget away from reliance on federal contracts, we are expanding our capacity for fee-for-service work. This is an important step in making NICWA a more sustainable resource for Indian Country.” Support from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has allowed NICWA to examine data—including tracking requests for services, constituent data, and client evaluations—dating back over ten years. “In planning to meet tribal needs, it’s been really important for us to look at our history. As an organization, we’ve grown exponentially in the last 15 years,” said Nadja Jones, senior community development specialist and project lead. She added, “NICWA already offers a wide range of training and technical assistance opportunities, from education on the Indian Child Welfare Act and its implementation, to increasing access to funding opportunities. We’ve long provided Positive Indian Parenting training, as well as cross cultural skills for child protective services and to state agencies, and we share our expertise in foster care recruitment, training, and placement. There are many other offerings, all of which are adapted to the needs of the community. In each of our trainings, we create a dynamic relationship between NICWA and a tribe.” Ultimately, this work will enhance NICWA’s ability to better serve its growing national constituency by providing unique technical assistance that is stakeholder driven and meets the needs of its diverse membership.
In Honor or Memory
Yvonne Barrett In memory of Muriel Sharlow, former NICWA board member Mary Ann Mattoon In memory of Ida C. Blackeagle Nancy Simmons In memory of Ellis Simmons 12
Debra Clayton and Baby Diamond
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In Memoriam
(McMinds continued)
us to get proper management of the trees, Joe DeLaCruz and I spent a lot of time in (Washington) D.C., and we weren’t making any progress. So I told Joe, ‘The only thing we can do is protest.’”
Quinault leader Guy McMinds dies
Editor’s note: Guy McMinds was a founding member of NICWA. We were saddened to hear of his passing, and are honored to reprint this tribute in memory of his many contributions of Indian Country.
Of his relationship with the longtime Quinault president, who died in 2000, McMinds said at the time: “Joe (DeLaCruz) was the guy who got the attention of people as a charismatic sort of guy, and I was the guy who kicked ass.”
Known as one of the most influential members of the Quinault Indian Nation and a longtime defender and protector of Indian treaty rights, Guy McMinds died Monday, [July 9, 2012] of natural causes at the age of 75.
As a strong advocate of Native rights and tribal governments, McMinds also worked in Alaska with the Aleuts through the tribal government of St. Paul Island, Alaska, for over 20 years. McMinds also devoted his life to the needs of children and families locally.
Nicknamed “Big Butch,” the Taholah resident graduated from Moclips High School in 1955, attended Grays Harbor College, served two years in the U.S. Army, then went on to receive a Fisheries Science degree from the University of Washington in 1966. He then returned to the Tribe, where he was elected to the Quinault Business Committee.
McMinds was a founding member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association; he served on the Governor’s Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee, and the Grays Harbor College Board of Trustees. “This was a man who knew what it meant to be humble and assertive at the same time,” said Quinault Nation President Fawn Sharp. “Guy’s life influenced Native people throughout the world, and his presence would have been welcome just about anywhere where people care about human rights and dignity. We were so fortunate to have him here with us in Taholah. His wisdom will always be with us, and we will always be thankful for “Guy’s life influenced Native people the many contributions he brought to our lives.”
He served for many years as the Nation’s Fisheries Manager and Natural Resources Director, and retired in 2010 from his position as Adviser to the President of the Quinault Indian Nation. “Guy McMinds was a great leader of the Quinault people and a champion of tribal treaty rights,” said Billy Frank Jr., chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. “From a young age. he devoted his life to tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, natural resources, and the people of the Quinault Indian Nation.” In the mid-1960s, McMinds met with U.S. Department of Commerce officials to obtain funding to organize the Quinault Department of Natural Resources. That allowed the tribe to implement research technology with new practices and innovative technology in salmon hatcheries, aquaculture and stream rehabilitation. The technology developed led to its worldwide use today, the tribe said in a statement about McMinds’ death. He was also an active leader in Indian fishing rights leading to the federal Boldt Decision in 1974, and fought against efforts to abrogate Indian treaty rights in its aftermath. In a profile of McMinds in The Daily World in November 2010, McMinds talked about how he became an activist with fellow Quinault leader Joe DeLaCruz. “It’s always been in my blood,” McMinds said of his passion for activism. “What happens in a person’s life really is indelible. In order for (Continued next page)
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throughout the world, and his presence would have been welcome just about anywhere where people care about human rights and dignity.”
He served on numerous fisheries bodies, including the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the Pacific Salmon Commission, and as a presidential appointee to North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission. McMinds was instrumental in the creation of the North-Quinault Nation President west Indian Fisheries Commission to give “the treaty Fawn Sharp tribes the capability of speaking with a single voice on fisheries management and conservation matters.”
In 1988, McMinds worked with then Sen. Dan Evans to restore more than 12,000 acres of land that had been erroneously excluded from the boundaries of the Quinault Reservation. It provided the Quinault Nation with the means to consolidate land and address forest management problems resulting from the allotment of the reservation into 2,340 individually-owned parcels. “Guy was tough as nails and never backed down from a fight, but he also had a big heart, especially when it came to helping young people,” Frank said. “We will miss his booming voice and the dedication he brought to everything he did that helped make this world a better place for all of us. We will miss him dearly.” McMinds is survived by Ruth, his wife of 45 years, two brothers and two sisters, eight adopted children and 13 grandchildren. An account has been set up at the Bank of the Pacific for contributions for the dinner and to establish a scholarship fund in Guy McMinds’ name. Reprinted with permission from The Daily World. Photos courtesy of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. 15
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