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Letter to the Editor: Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Protected
North Dakota Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, poses for a portrait in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol in Bismarck on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.Jeremy Turley / Forum News Service
The Indian Child Welfare Act, enacted in 1978, is a critical piece of legislation that safeguards the best interests of Native American children and preserves our culture and heritage. The requirement for establishing guidelines for child custody proceedings involving Native American children ensures their protection from unwarranted removal from their families and communities.
Though there have been multiple attempts at overturning the Indian Child Welfare Act. I am thankful that ICWA has been affirmed repeatedly by the highest levels of the US legal system. The Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision supports our tribal nations’ sovereignty and its strong foundation rooted in the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to our people.
As we move forward, it is imperative that we continue to support and uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act, recognizing its constitutional validity and the importance of preserving the future of our people and our children’s well-being, culture, and heritage.
I want to thank all the defenders of ICWA, our allies, North Dakota State Legislators, and Governor Burgum for taking a proactive step in adopting state ICWA laws.
Representative Lisa Finley-DeVille