FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 15, 2023
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Indian Child Welfare Act Prevails Before U.S. Supreme Court

New Mexico – Today, on a 7-2 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) –a landmark law that protects American Indian and Alaska Native kids in child welfare proceedings by keeping them in the care of extended family or tribes whenever possible.

In light of this victory for Indigenous communities across the country, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) released the following statement in celebration of today’s decision:

“It is because of the love for our communities that we are at this victory today, since the potential threat against ICWA, many tribal partners worked quickly to create state versions of the federal law to create better fits for their communities. All to ensure that regardless of the decision, there would be protection in place for their children and tribes.

“With that said, we at the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) would like to express our support and celebrate the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and to affirm the important role of tribal sovereignty in ensuring that Native American children remain connected to their communities.

“We recognize the vital importance of the ICWA in protecting Native American children and promoting the well-being of Indigenous families and communities. For decades the law has been a critical tool for preventing the forced removal of Native American children from their homes and communities and ensuring that they are placed with Native American families or tribes whenever possible.

“We want to thank our Tribal Leaders, advocates, ICWA workers, and community leaders in effective efforts to protect the rights and well-being of Native American children and families. Many Native children across Indian Country are safer thanks to their advocates and tribal leaders.

“Our Indigenous children need our tribal communities to thrive, and our tribal
communities need our Indian children to survive. The future of our children’s wellbeing looks promising because of today’s SCOTUS decision. The hard work of tribal leaders, advocates, and community leaders’ voices have been heard, but most importantly the voices of Indian children and youth have been heard.

“We stand with Indigenous communities and leaders in the fight for justice and safety, and we are committed to working together to build a brighter and more just future for all Native American people.

“Together, we have created a future where Native families and children are safe, strong, and supported, and where our communities can thrive in a spirit of sovereignty, resilience, and healing.

“It is a wonderful time to be able to be joined in solidarity among our amazing community partners as Indigenous sovereignty is upheld and our Native children are kept safe within the arms of our communities.” – The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women

ICWA was enacted in 1978 after a congressional investigation found that over one-third of all Native children had been removed from their tribal homes and placed with non-Indian families and institutions with no ties to the tribes.

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CSVANW is an award winning organization at the forefront to a dynamic approach to the tribal domestic and sexual violence fields that is demonstrating the most effective, creative and innovative ways to address and prevent the cycle of violence within tribal communities.