who we are
About NICWA
NICWA is the only national membership organization that works to support the safety, health, and spiritual strength of American Indian and Alaska Native children along the broad continuum of their lives. We support tribes in building the capacity to prevent child abuse and neglect through positive systems change at the state, federal, and tribal levels.
News from NICWA
New Resource to Support Families Encountering the Child Welfare System
Media Contactmedia@nicwa.org(Portland, Ore., February 17, 2021)—A new resource from the National Indian Child Welfare...
NICWA and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Partner to Support and Promote the Unique Needs of Native Children and their Families
(Portland, Ore., February 10, 2021)—The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) has received a generous...
Child and Family Policy Updates
The NICWA Child and Family Policy Update provides information on critical child welfare policy issues that impact...
who we are
Heart of ICWA
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) protects American Indian and Alaska Native kids in child welfare proceedings by keeping them in the care of extended families or tribes whenever possible. ICWA protects identity, familial network, and sense of belonging-things that all children need. In this multi-part digital storytelling series, The Heart of ICWA, families convey firsthand what happens when the basic protections of ICWA are followed and the devastating consequences when families and children are deprived of these basic rights.