NICWA NEWS
Quarterly Newsletter • Spring/Summer 2016
Inside This Issue
ICWA Regs Announced Conference Recap ICWA Films in Production And Much More
Message from the Executive Director Dear NICWA Members, Sponsors, Donors, and Friends, Welcome to the summer edition of NICWA News. On the heels of our highly successful 34th Annual Protecting Our Children conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota, we have lots to share with you. It was wonderful to be in the Great Lakes region and to feel the warm hospitality of the local tribes and the incredibly active urban Indian community. Five local tribal leaders joined us to welcome us to their territory, we received wonderful blessings, and beautiful songs were shared with us. Held at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront, a property owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, we had 1,037 attendees, including 493 new NICWA members. There were representatives from 191 tribes and 46 states and provinces. The 41 sponsors, 33 exhibitors, and 52 volunteers made our conference possible. One hundred and thirty-six presenters from across the U.S. and Canada conducted 72 workshops. Our conference evaluations heralded U.S. Department of Interior Solicitor Hilary Tompkins, who told her personal story of being an adopted Navajo child raised in a non-Indian home in New Jersey, and our youth panel sharing their lived experience with the child welfare system, as being very meaningful plenary sessions. Please mark your calendar now to join us for the 35th Annual Conference on April 2–5, 2017, in San Diego, California. Since the conference, we have been busy with the release of the BIA ICWA final regulations. On June 14, 2016, the BIA published their final, legally binding ICWA rule in the Federal Register. The regulations will go into effect in 180 days, on December 12, 2016. The BIA plans to offer training to states and tribes as well as update their February 2015 ICWA guidelines before the rule goes into effect. Within days of the release of the regulations, NICWA collaborated with the Native American Rights Fund to draft a summary of the regulations. Later that month, NICWA hosted a 90-minute webinar for NICWA members to learn about the regulations. Finally, NICWA staff participated in a panel at the National Congress of American Indians Mid-Year Session with Assistant Secretary Larry Roberts and BIA staff to discuss the final ICWA regulations and anti-ICWA media attention with tribal leaders. NICWA’s ICWA blog, accessible through a link from our homepage (http://www.nicwa.org), contains many excellent ICWA materials and resources from both NICWA and other sources. To learn more about the new ICWA regulations, consider attending one of NICWA’s upcoming training institutes in Rapid City, South Dakota (August 23–25, 2016), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (September 27–29, 2016), Portland, Oregon (December 6–8, 2016), or San Diego, California (April 5–7, 2017). For more information, please see: http://www.nicwa.org/training/institutes/. We hope to see you there! Quyanaa, Sarah Kastelic
NICWA News is published by the 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
CONTENTS
Letter from Executive Director 2. BIA Releases New ICWA Regs 3. Conference Recap 4. Shagonaby Profile 8. ICWA Films in Production 9. Inside NICWA/NICWA Cares 10. Membership Updates 12. New and Returning NICWA Members 14.
BIA Releases New ICWA Regs
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Upcoming Events
n June 8, 2016 the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) released the first ever substantive Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) regulations to guide state courts’ and public and private agencies’ implementation of ICWA. This comes after 37 years of uneven and sometimes improper implementation of ICWA in state courts and in public and private child welfare agencies. NICWA Executive Director Sarah Rapid City, South Dakota Kastelic stated in a press release how important the regulations are today, especially Training Institutes given the attacks against the law witnessed in the last few years. “For far too long, our Native children and families have borne the brunt of a system lacking the clarity, August 23–25, 2016 consistency, and protections that these regulations provide. This is a monumental step • Positive Indian Parenting toward protecting the most vulnerable among us: our children.” • ICWA Basics with Regulations Update The BIA began work to develop regulations not long after the U.S. Supreme Court de- • Advanced ICWA cision in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl that focused on an ICWA adoption case. NICWA filed extensive comments on the proposed regulations in 2015, as did over 2,100 other Oklahoma City, Oklahoma individuals and organizations, and provided testimony at a number of BIA-sponsored Training Institutes comment sessions on the proposed regulations. September 27–29, 2016 The BIA first issued revised federal guidelines in February 2015, which are not legal• Positive Indian Parenting ly-binding, but with the release of the new regulations, advocates for Indian children • ICWA Basics with and families have federal guidance that will clarify and make more certain how ICWA Regulations Update • Advanced ICWA should be implemented. The BIA has also said it will publish another set of revised guidelines to supplement the regulations before the regulations go into effect in December 2016. Several leading national Indian organizations, nationally recognized Portland, Oregon child advocacy organizations, and tribes have come out in support of the new regulaTraining Institutes tions. Opponents of the regulations continue to be private adoption attorneys and the Goldwater Institute, along with a handful of other organizations. December 6–8, 2016 The new regulations address many key requirements under ICWA. Some of the highlights include the following and are discussed in the NICWA and Native American Rights Fund summary of the new regulations, found on our website (www.nicwa.org): • • • •
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• • •
Positive Indian Parenting ICWA Basics with Regulations Update Advanced ICWA
Definition and examples of active efforts requirements 35th Annual Protecting Our Definition of what constitutes an Indian foster home for placement of Indian Children Conference children San Diego, California Definition of what constitutes a voluntary proceeding Guidance on the process of providing notice to an Indian child’s tribe, parent, or April 2–5 2016 Indian custodian regarding a child custody proceeding, including when notice should be provided, what information should be contained in the notice, acceptable forms of delivery of the notice, and submitting copies of the notice to the BIA Visit www.nicwa.org/news or email Process for Indian adult adoptees to gain access to information so they can lauren@nicwa.org for more establish their tribal membership information or to request a training Language establishing the application of ICWA and prohibition against using for your community. Existing Indian Family Exception criteria in establishing application of ICWA Clarification on use of emergency removals with Indian children and limitations for continuing the placements beyond 30 days Limits on the use of good cause to oppose the transfer of a case from state to tribal court Guidance on use of expert witnesses in foster care and termination of parental rights proceedings Clarification on the ability of an Indian child’s parent or Indian custodian to revoke consent to termination of parental rights and adoptive placement Use of placement preferences for Indian children removed from their home and use of good cause to deviate from the placement preferences
NICWA has developed a webinar discussing the new ICWA regulations and will be developing additional materials to explain the regulations and implications for ensuring protections for Indian children and families. You can locate information about these resources by visiting our home page (www.nicwa.org). National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
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Thank You, Conference Sponsors
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he board and staff of NICWA would like to extend our most sincere thanks to the sponsors of the 2016 Protecting Our Children Conference. It is only with the support of these generous sponsors that we can host what has become known as the premier national event dedicated to tribal child welfare and well-being.
Morning Star
Council of Friends
Underwriters
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa ¡ Legal Department of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe ¡ Kodiak Area Native Association National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 4
Thank You, Conference Sponsors Host
Four Directions
Sacred Circle
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 5
34th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference a Huge Success
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he 34th Annual Protecting Our Children National American Indian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, held in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on April 3–6, 2016, was one of our most successful conferences ever. We hosted over 1,000 attendees, with 136 presenters, 72 workshops, and 14 plenary speakers. The event concluded with a gala banquet full of celebration, entertainment, and a charge to us all to continue working hard to protect our children. The federal plenary panel, “Strengthening the Well-Being of Native Children and Families,” featured policy and budget updates from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, the Interior, and Justice. A memorandum of understanding to institutionalize the interagency collaborative of the departments to promote implementation of and compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was announced. Moving personal stories were shared from speakers like Solicitor Hilary Tompkins and our Native youth panelists who shared from lived experience in the child welfare system. There were 72 powerful presentations given by our workshop presenters in five different focus areas: child welfare and adoption services, children’s mental health, data and research, legal affairs and advocacy, and youth and family involvement. NICWA Executive Director Sarah Kastelic, PhD, spoke about the incredible impact NICWA is having on Native communities, families, and children across Indian Country during our banquet dinner. Our board of directors bestowed its greatest honor, the Champion for Native Children Award, on University of New Mexico law professor and former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn.
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oving personal stories were shared from speakers like Solicitor Hilary Tompkins and our Native youth panelists who shared from lived experience in the child welfare system.
Conference attendees had the opportunity to support NICWA’s work and win a Las Vegas vacation raffle through raffle ticket sales throughout the event which, combined with our conference sponsors and banquet dinner paddle raise gifts, resulted in over $180,000 in support of our work. We are thankful for the tremendous support from tribal governments in the Great Lakes region and from the local Minneapolis American Indian community. Your partnership in strengthening the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native children and families is deeply valued and helps increase the knowledge, skill set, and resources of people who seek to improve the lives of, and outcomes for, Native children and youth. Through four days of critical conversations and challenging workshops, we gathered together to continue to protect our children and create a better world for the seventh generation. We hope to see you in San Diego for our 35th Annual Protecting Our Children conference on April 2–5, 2017.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 6
Voices from the 2016 NICWA Conference Participants Share Their Reflections
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ICWA thanks those participants who shared their observations and thoughts about this year’s conference. We endeavor to incorporate your feedback into our planning for future events.
Thank you
Here are just a few of the comments we received. “I met some wonderful contacts and was able to network with other members and presenters about services and resources that will help me better serve my community.” “The Positive Indian Parenting workshop was extremely helpful and gave me an invaluable resource for my community and my parents.” “Every session was great. I liked ICWA 101, it gave me new insight and information regarding our children’s rights.” “Gave great information about facts that gave us renewed vigor and hope.” “I felt like it was the epitome of being Indigenous, everyone working and moving and collaborating together as one for one main purpose.” “We’ll go back and work on our policy and procedures for our tribe’s ICWA program.” “We are a support group for relatives and friends of children who are or have been in danger of foster care. This gives us ammunition and hope for better outcomes.” “This was my first conference. The experience was amazing. I’ve seen a lot of Natives, but to see all of the people here for one thing—our children—I learned a lot from meeting other people here.” “Thank you. It was an honor to be asked to come back and present again. I would be honored to keep coming back.” “NICWA rocks!” “It was great. I am happy our tribal council members will attend next year so they can be active with all nations and NICWA. It has helped me as a tribal member and parent to realize how important it is to protect ourselves, especially our children and families, across the U.S. and Canada.” “Thank you so much for the renewed faith, vigor, and hope that we are progressing (slowly, but surely) in our fight to protect our children.” National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 7
Looking towards a sustainable future Meet John Shagonaby, New Chair, Board of Trustees
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n February 16, 2002, the NICWA board of directors passed a resolution establishing a board of trustees dedicated to NICWA’s fundraising efforts and fiscal consultation. These six volunteers focused on building an individual and corporate donor base with an eye towards long-term growth and stability, and included one of NICWA’s MVPs, John Shagonaby (Gun Lake Tribe). Originally recruited by his friend, Melissa Clyde (former NICWA’s senior program director), John was excited to join a group committed to raising unrestricted dollars for Indian Child Welfare Act defense, communications, and a “rainy day” cash reserve. John says,“It was an honor to be asked.” He is a longtime supporter, fundraiser, and advocate of NICWA. “I think that keeping families together is crucial as this hits home for every tribe and nation in the United States and Canada.” John shared further, “On a personal note, I have seen firsthand the devastation that comes from families and communities torn apart.” Last year, John became the chair of the board of trustees. This new position will lead work among the trustees and coordinate with NICWA’s board members to support and expand their fundraising efforts. “In the past, the board of trustees was tapped primarily to provide advice. It is my goal that we do more.” John is planning to recruit additional members who are interested in working together to solicit gifts and identify untapped revenue sources to sustain the work, all with the goal to create a solid financial foundation for the future of NICWA. “I am excited to see what we can do together!” shared John.
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ast year, John became the chair of the board of trustees. This new position will lead work among the trustees and coordinate with NICWA’s board members to support and expand their fundraising efforts.
Where We’ve Been
NICWA staff and board members are humbled by John’s dedication to our work, and we are excited to see the board of trustees grow in this next year.
If you are interested in joining NICWA’s board of trustees, please contact Kim Christensen, development director, at kchristensen@nicwa.org or (503) 222-4044 x123.
ICWA Myths & Realities
NICWA dispels some of the most commonly perpetuated myths about the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
Myth
♦♦ ICWA favors Indian family members over non-Indian family members..
Reality
Every year, NICWA provides onsite training and technical assistance to dozens of communities in the U.S. and Canada. Here is where we’ve been in 2016. National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
♦♦ False. Nowhere in ICWA does it indicate placement preferences favor placement with a Native relative over placement with a non-Native relative.
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 8
ICWA Stories Film Project in Production
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ourteen days, three reservations, 1,300 miles, and countless tears of both sorrow and triumph. That’s what a small film crew’s travel diary included in late April and early May of this year as they embarked upon an aggressive film-shooting schedule to capture Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) stories. With support from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is producing four short films intended to highlight the impact of ICWA in Indian Country. “Most Native people know someone with an ICWA story, good or bad,” says NICWA Board President Gil Vigil. “We are grateful that we found a tribal partner in Poarch to support us in getting these stories out there.” Selecting only four subjects proved challenging, but NICWA prioritized finding families who could illustrate the profound ways compliance—or non-compliance—with ICWA can have a ripple effect on the well-being of multiple generations of Native families. Said NICWA Communications Manager Nicole Adams, “We went to Swinomish, Quinault, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua, and our local urban community here in Portland. What we found was a common thread across Native families no matter where we went: When ICWA is ignored, the pain that is inflicted on children and families is unthinkable. When ICWA is followed, families stay together.” Director Karen Odeiyic, Producer Milo Daemgen, Director of Photography Kit Pennebaker, Sound Recordist Anna Rieke, and NICWA’s Adams caravanned across Washington State and Oregon to visit with families in their homes, workplaces, and ceremonial sites to listen to their stories. Aimed at dispelling the rampant misperceptions regarding ICWA currently perpetuated by opponents of ICWA, the project took on greater significance as this spring’s headlines became dominated by a controversial California ICWA case and the release of the new ICWA regulations by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Odeiyic states, “I hope that those who have only been hearing one side of the argument will understand that there is a difference in how Native families raise their children. There is a very different value system going on spiritually and just in day-to-day life. I hope that viewers will see strong and intelligent families working on healing their children not just to strengthen tribes, but because by being placed with family and having that connection to their culture, children understand who they are and where they come from. That makes a child feel whole and loved. And when people feel whole and loved, it truly makes this planet harmonious. I believe these films are a step in that direction.” Adams explains, “We knew we needed to go into the homes and communities of Native families and capture their stories so that the wider public can understand why we fight so hard to protect this important law. These are real children, real families affected in deeply moving ways. We needed to let them tell their own stories.” Currently in production, the films will be released over the last half of 2016 via social media and other select outlets.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 9
Inside NICWA
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t’s been a remarkable year of growth for NICWA! Recently, we’ve added new staff and board members to help us continue serving Native families and communities. Community Development Specialist Adam Becenti, M.P.P., was raised in Gallup, New Mexico. Adam is of the Red Running Into Water Clan, born for the Sleep Rock People of the Diné Nation. Adam brings a wide breadth of tribal outreach and engagement experience, starting with his work in the University of Colorado at Boulder Office of Admissions where he led the initiative for Native recruitment and retention. While in Oregon, Adam served as cultural coordinator/tribal liaison at a culturally responsive psychiatric residential treatment program called Cedar Bough Native American program. At Cedar Bough, Adam coordinated culturally specific treatment services for tribal youth clients and assisted tribal communities in accessing mental health services. Adam has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and ethnic studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a master of public policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Shanna Knight, M.A., J.D., is the new ICWA specialist at NICWA. She has worked on behalf of tribes and tribal organizations in policy and legal affairs for the last six years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Sheldon Jackson College, her master’s degree in English from Washington State University, and her juris doctorate with an emphasis in Native American law from the University of Idaho College of Law. While she earned her master’s degree, she gained experience teaching college English and National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
considers her law degree and legal experience to be an extension of her teaching experience. Before joining the team at NICWA, she worked for Anderson Indian Law in Washington, D.C., on cultural resources, tax, education, and land into trust issues, in addition to advocating on behalf of tribal clients with congressional and federal decision-makers. NICWA also welcomes a new project coordinator, Emily Hancock. Currently she is providing critical assistance across multiple departments including communications, governmental affairs, and in support of several of NICWA’s important grant contracts including the Food and Drug Administration Youth Tobacco Cessation contract. Previously, she played a key role in the planning and implementation of this year’s Protecting Our Children Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota. New Youth Engagement Specialist Jackie Malstrom is a radio show host living in Portland, Oregon. She is the host of Rose City Native Radio on KBOO-FM and co-host of A Tribe Called Geek. Adopted at birth by a non-Native family, Jackie found out about her heritage at age 18 and started working with the local Native community at age 24. She currently mentors Native youth in audio production and broadcasting in addition to joining the NICWA team that provides technical assistance to tribal system of care communities.
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 10
Inside NICWA
NICWA is fortunate to welcome Chandra Wilson (Klamath-Modoc) as our new human resources specialist. Chandra grew up on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Oregon. She graduated from Warner Pacific College with a bachelor of science degree in human development, and a minor in human resource management. She has over 15 years of experience primarily working in business administration and human resources in both federal and non-profit organizations such as Indian Health Service, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. She volunteers and participates in cultural, public schools, and neighborhood community activities. During her free time she can be found bonding with her family, and being the number one fan to both of her daughters during their seasonal sports activities.
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n addition to these staff, NICWA wanted to share more about our two new youth board members.
Teressa Unaliin Baldwin is InupiaqEskimo and was born and raised in Kotzebue, Alaska, a small Native village above the Arctic Circle. As a high school student, Teressa created a campaign to address the high suicide rate in Alaska. Since then, she has spoken to over 40 high schools and many conferences on the importance of mental health. In 2011, Teressa was selected as one of President Obama’s Champions for Change Initiative. She has also furthered her leadership skills through UNITY’s 25 Under 25 program, Gen-I Youth Ambassadors, and has also started a youth council in her National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
community. After her undergraduate degree, Teressa would like to continue her education by focusing on Indigenous health and social services. She also sees herself pursuing a career in public policy. Cassondra Church, from Allegan, Michigan, is a citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. She attended Michigan State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies focusing on government advocacy and psychology, with a minor in women and gender studies, and a specialization in American Indian studies. During her time at Michigan State, she worked closely with various multicultural organizations dedicated to promoting equality and diversity awareness. In addition with her work at Michigan State, Cassondra served on her tribe’s Senior Youth Council. Also, she is currently the co-vice president of the National Congress of American Indians Youth Commission, and was elected to the NICWA board last October. Her passion for diversity, inclusiveness, equality, and youth advocacy drive her to continue her work with various communities. Given this, Cassondra will return to her alma mater to purse her master’s degree in social work this fall to further gain knowledge and skills to help those in her community. Finally, we want to give praise to our own Jackie Malstrom for participating as an invite speaker at the recent United State of Women Summit hosted by the White House Council on Women and Girls.
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 11
NICWA Cares
Staff Show Spirit of Volunteerism
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he local community engagement team at NICWA is a group of volunteer staff members that work collaboratively to identify events or activities in the local Portland area that align well with our mission of supporting Native children, youth, and families. This summer we were once again proud to sponsor the Mile High Fun Run that coincides with Portland’s Delta Park Pow Wow in June. Promoting a healthy lifestyle—free of substance abuse—for the Native community, the short fun run awards a NICWA-sponsored t-shirt for every participant. Later that day, NICWA was delighted to once again sponsor the tiny tots competition of the Delta Park Pow Wow. With our community information table set up near the pow wow arena, we were not only able to chat with countless community members, we also provided shelter to dancers during the intermittent deluges of rain that marked an otherwise wonderful event. The local community engagement team also voted to support, for the first time, the local Canoe Journey family. Awarding a small grant for equipment needed for their 200-mile inaugural journey, the team acknowledged the significance that Canoe Journeys has grown to assume in recent years. By providing youth with mentorship, cultural education, and healthy activities, our local canoe family is helping Native youth connect with community and culture. NICWA is proud to support these valuable activities.
Our Strength is Our Members!
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t our 34th Annual Conference, something was made clear: NICWA’s strength is our members! In Saint Paul, we had a wonderful experience getting to meet and greet some of our long-term as well as our 463 new NICWA members. You were so eager to engage with us, telling us about your important community work, what is important to you, and helping us to understand how we can continue to support you to keep families together. We started our 2016 Member Survey at the conference, asking you what you see as the most challenging parts of your work, and to share your successful work and community stories, in order to inform our work and priorities over the coming year. For those members who were unable to attend this year’s conference, our 2016 Members Survey will be coming to your inbox soon. Please take two minutes to fill it out—we depend on your feedback and want to hear from you! We are expanding the ways that our members can be involved with NICWA’s work. Members can look forward to: • Participating in the new members-only forums in our website (coming soon!) • Participating in affinity groups for particular subject areas • Getting increased member benefits and discounts on NICWA services (coming soon!) • Participating in upcoming monthly webinars • Getting involved in our social media campaign (like, follow, share and re-tweet @NativeChildren) • Sharing your success stories in our monthly e-bulletins We hope that all NICWA members will email or call us and tell us about your successes, ask us questions, or seek assistance and direction to resources to help your work. We want to hear from our members. There is strength in unity, and we want to work together with you and assist where we can!
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 12
Our Strength Is Our Members! Loleta’s Retirement Won’t Stop Her Commitment to ICWA!
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y name is Loleta Garfield. I was born on the Tule River Indian Reservation, from the Yokuts people in California’s Central Valley. I am the youngest of four children. I have served in many roles, including tribal council member, the first education director for our tribe, director of the Indian Health Center, ICWA coordinator, and from 2003–2015, the tribe’s director of Family and Social Services. I have held the best job yet since retiring in December 2015, as grandmother to 20 great-grand and grandchildren. I have seven children, including a language director, a program manager, two fire fighters, and two sons elected to our tribal council in 2000 and active in our tribal community. My siblings and I were taken from our family and placed in foster care when I was six. We were separated and placed in five homes over the next five years. I returned to my mother as a young teen, but my sister was not allowed to return to the reservation, so I lived and went to school in Porterville to be close to her. I saw my relatives, but established a separate life in town. In high school and into college, I excelled in sports and enjoyed my friends, but had no particular goals or hopes. I had a social worker from my foster care days that stayed in my thoughts during college, and after two years of community college, I decided on social work. I hope young tribal people will consider social work, as it is a diverse field and there is a need for young people to make change in our communities. Our tribal challenges are similar to those of other tribes. We deal with issues in mental health, substance abuse, housing, ICWA, and education. For more than 12 years, we have worked to establish an emergency placement foster home on the reservation. We are working to establish our own tribal court in coming years, have an attorney assisting and collaborating on our child codes, and are establishing a memorandum of agreement with our county child welfare system. Our tribal council is extremely knowledgeable and supportive of our ICWA court cases: We have an ICWA committee that presents current issues and gets tribal support and feedback, while still allowing the Family and Social Services department the flexibility to perform case management to our community. Today, we have many young families on the reservation that are doing well, and are raising their children with good boundaries. These young parents are rewarded by their children excelling in academia, sports, or involvement in their tribal community. My work exposed me to young families and grandparents who had issues, but who got the support needed to help them complete the requirements for ICWA court cases, and gain rewards for doing well. I also saw parents who did well all on their own. I feel strongly that our tribal community needs to work harder to celebrate the successes of parents. Since retirement, I continue to be involved in ICWA matters as an expert witness for our three counties and have been appointed to our Land Assignment Board, which works on housing and land assignment for our tribal families. I miss the daily social work in the trenches, but my remaining energies will be spent on my own precious grandchildren, working on their hopes and wishes for their futures. I miss the clients, but I know the service I provided to my tribe was one of love for my people, and especially for the children, who truly need this advocacy. I hope that one day they will come back and give back to the tribe for helping them when they needed it.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 13
New and Renewing Members March 12, 2016–June 30, 2016
Coral Membership Tier Organization
Tribe
Ak-Chin Indian Community Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Citizen Potawatomi Nation Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Pueblo of Pojoaque Seminole Tribe of Florida Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians
Individual
Casey Family Programs-Headquarters Comcast Corporation State of Oregon - DHS - Child Welfare Administration Eaglesun Systems Products
Carole Butzke Katharine Cahn Dione C. Carroll Francine Eddy Jones Jill K. Esch Jo Prout Robert Prue Julie Sanchez
Turquoise Membership Tier Organization
Tribe
Individual
Beverly Anderson Cheryl Baldomaro Lucas Robyn Black Feather Alice J. Bogert Anita Chisholm Teresa Contreras Thomas L. Crofoot John Dossett Denise Goodman Julia E. Jaakola Veronica John Karen Kallen-Brown Sarah Kastelic Brooke Loring Wesley Martin
American Indian Child Resource Center American Indian Community Center Denver Indian Family Resource Center, Inc. Eckerd Kids Nebraska Families Collaborative Nevada Division of Child and Family Services Spirit Rock Consulting
Bishop Paiute Tribe Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska Cook Inlet Tribal Council Gila River Indian Community Hoh Indian Tribe Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Muscogee (Creek) Nation Pueblo of San Felipe Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska Seneca Nation of Indians - New York Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) of Massachusetts Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts (Mashpee)
Jeri Museth Theodore Nelson Jeanette Ninham Dale Powless Ahniwake Rose Roban L. San Miguel Carol L. Silva Lois Strong Mary Templin
Associate Membership Tier Joe Scibilia
Caroline Aguilar Susan Alvarez Joyce Alvey Gladys Ambrose Debra Anthony Carrie AtatiseNorwegian Josephine AugustineEdmund Sara Axtell Diana Azure
Abalone Membership Tier
Shirley J. Bad Wound Ann Baker Teressa Baldwin Sharon Banda Alvina Barnes Autumn Baum Vernalyn Bearing Mary Beaver Jessica Beckett Jennifer BeckmanLafave
Lori Ann Bertram Amber Blaha Andrea Blake Christopher Blake Shannon Blight Laura Bluehorse-Swift Renay Bone Kathy Bottoms Rachel Boyd Tonya Boyd Misty J. Brammer
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Jason Brandt Olinka Breaux Chris Brewer Corey Brodsky Myrna Bruyere Kurt Buffalo Darrell Burns Carolyn Bush Cheryl A. Byers Michelle Cabral Diane Cabrera
Christine Cagey Shirley Cain Kathy Calf Boss Ribs Kurvin Candelaria Cassandra H. Carroll Vernon Carter Andrea Cazares-Diego Cindy Cecil Robyn Cenizal Hector Cerda Cathy Chalmers Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 14
New and Renewing Members March 12, 2016–June 30, 2016
Abalone Membership Tier Prairie Rose Chapin Carizma Chapman Hettie Charboneau Anthony Charles Erin Chase Laurie Chase Eliza Chavarillo Sarah Chilberg Marilyn Christensen Bonnie Clairmont Coleen Clark Bonnie Clift Alex Cochrane Thomas Cody Angela Connor David Contois Beverly Cook Nicole Cook Shad M. Cook Sheila Cooper LaFon Copenhaver Megan Cornish Heather Craig-Oldsen Tracy Crudo Casie Cultee Kelly Curran Michael Dallas Melissa Dalton Hopkins Julie Davis Lisa Davis Stephanie DeCoteau Lauri Denomie Rose Domnick Robert Downen Dylan Dressler Bernice Dubec Barbara L. Dude John Dufresne Hanna Durfee Diana Eason Douglas Emerson Janet Emery Antoinette Enos Juan Carlos Enriquez Michelle Ereaux Ozzy Escarte Chrishy Espinoza Katelynn Esquibell Steffen Estep Tkay Estes Brianna Evans Crystal Factor Jayson Fauni Juan Feliciano Linda Fiechtl Jocelyn Formsma Patty Frazer Kimberly Fuhrman Henrietta Gachupin Chasity Garcia Ruben Garcia Corinne H. Gescheidle Yolanda Gibson
Devon Gilchrist Brenda Gilman-Bagwill Calvin Goggleye Vernaline E. Gogue Roger Golec Cheri’ Goodwin Gloria Green Khia Grinnell Casey Groat Stephanie Gutierrez Ashley Hall Jacquelyn HansonHietala Leah Harder John R. Harris Jahai Harrison Mary Ann Harvey Monica Hawley Paulie Hawthorne Megan Hay Traci Henderson Valentina Herbert Katrina Herrera Linda K. Herzberg Jana L. Heyd Kristi Hill Cora Hinton Kendra Hoffman Marian Holmes Frank Homer Nicole M. HomerLundgren Gerald Hooee Angela Hopkins Jenelle Howard Ryan Howard Regina Howe Tracey Howg James Jago Andrew Jasper Sarah Jasper Eleanor Jauregui Willie John Kris Johnson Ramona Johnson Sarah Johnson Anderson Jones Carmen Juarez David M. Juarez Julia Kanuk Stella Keller Lawrence Kelly Margaret Kendrick Roberta Kimberly Wenona Kingbird Clint Kittrell Teresa Knife Chief Sharon Krantz Suzie Kuerschner Mindy Kuhl Josie Laduke Anne Lafrinier-Ritchie Leah Lamattina
Jody LaMere Leah LaMere Stacey Lara Rebecca Larsen Derrick Leslie Sharon Lindley Michaela Longrie Christina Lopez Kimberly Lorenzini Helen Louis Stephanie Lozano Lori Lynn Robin Magnan Nakomis Maher Arthur Malone Audrey Mandamin Kathryn Manness Ann Many Birds Cynthia MarchandCecil Constance Martin Michaelina Martin Shary Mason Angela Matthews Amanda McAdoo Edward McBrayer Krisstyn McCall Sarah McConnell Barbara McCowin James McCreary Kim McDonald Melissa McGeshick Robin McGinnis Anne McLaughlin Rena Mendez Janice Merino William A. Metcalfe Eleanor Miller Wylma Minnik Shelly Minthorn Chelsie Miranda Amber Molina Pedro Molina Sandy Momper Jamie Monroe Robert Montalvo Reannon Morgan Gina Munnell Deborah Murphy Dolly Narang Aaron Noisey Dennis Noonan Beaver North Cloud Roy Old Person Arnella Oldman Chad Olsen Heidi Ombisa Skallet Robyn One Bear Spang Rose M. Orrantia Julia Ortiz Tracy Pacini Tammy Pacquette Lea Padron-Plass
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Sonia Palacios Kara Payne Cherilu Pearson Dian Pecora Michelle Pederson Jay Pedro Maureen Peralta Darlene Peterson Alizabeth Philbrick Becky Plumage Aimee Polit Bobbi-Jo Potter Misty Powell Rebecca Price Kevin Provost Adelbert Quiver Jessica Ramstad Sharon Randle Jacqueline Red Leaf Suzette Rembert Elizabeth Rembold James Reveles Loretta Rex Marina Rice John Rich Crystal Richardson Pamela Richey Cathy Rigby Mona Rodriguez Sylvia Rodriguez Andrew Patricia Roe Laurie Rose Willow Rouillard Mark Round Stone Dorothy M. Rundles Wallace Rupert April Russell Melanie Sage Tinisha Sanchez Diana Sanders Brent Schildt Darcy Schneider-Hobbs Keri Schrock Marty Schroeder Tina J. Schubert Matthew Scott April Seciwa Cynthia Seguin Christopher Sharp James Sherrill Janelle Simon Mike Slizewski Pete Small Bear Alisha Smith Paula Smith Shannon Smith Steven Sochay Natalie Soder Mary Anne Solomon Alton Spencer Roger Spencer Hidonee Spoonhunter Rebecca J. St. George
Nathan St. Goddard Lisa Stark Maria Starr Kori Stephens Michele M. Stephens Kelly Stoner Angela Sundberg John Sundell Carrie Swain Tammy J. Swanson Chris Tafoya Heather J. Tanana Esther Tenorio J’Shon Thompson Brian R. Thorbjornsen Katy Towell Shawna Trancosa Charlene Tsaipi Carl Tuesday Tallerita Tunney Rogers Lorna Turgeon Dave Valandra Angela Valenzuela Latitia Velasquez Buffy Via Carla Victoroff Lisa Vu Dorothy Wait Amy Walkner Kathy Walters Christine Waquie Laura Wass Stacie Waters Charlotte Watters Alex Wesaw Matt Wesaw Melanie Wheeler Corinne Wherley Craig White Jennifer White Sunshine White Hair Marlies White Hat Virginia Whitekiller Jeanine Whiteman Sara Whitney Carole Wilcox Darlene Wilcox Rebecca Wilcox Diana Williams Melissa Williams Juliann Wilson Juliette Wilson Camilla Wishkeno Natasha Wright Ted Wright Shawnetta Yahtin Jacqueline Yalch Wilfred Yazzie Terri Yellowhammer Laurie York Dana Young
Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 15
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
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 567