News Release: Statement of Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs Tara Mac Lean Sweeney on the Brackeen V. Zinke Decision


U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

October 16, 2018

For nearly forty years, child advocacy organizations across the United States have considered the Indian Child Welfare Act to be the gold standard of child welfare policy. The Department of the Interior strongly opposes any diminishment of ICWA’s protections for Indian children, families, and tribes.

The Department will continue to work with tribes and states to implement ICWA moving forward. We reiterate our support for ICWA’s goals of ensuring the safety of Indian children, maintaining Indian families, and promoting tribal sovereignty.

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

(Mandan, Hidatsa/ Mniconjou Lakota)

Founder & Editor in Chief

Location: Twin Buttes, North Dakota

Spoken Languages: English

Topic Expertise: Federal trust relationship with American Indians; Indigenous issues ranging from spirituality and environment to education and land rights

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Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

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News Release: Statement of Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs Tara Mac Lean Sweeney on the Brackeen V. Zinke Decision | Buffalo’s Fire