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.
![NICWA ICON](https://www.nicwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/NICWA-ICON.png)
News from NICWA
August 2020 Child and Family Policy Update
Senate Democrats Introduce Emergency Child Welfare Legislation to Address COVID-19 President Issues Executive Order on...
American Indian & Alaska Native Grandfamilies: Helping Children Thrive Through Connection to Family and Cultural Identity
Over the past several years, NICWA and Generations United have been working with grandfamilies through a project...
June 2020 Child and Family Policy Update
On June 24, 2020, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) on strengthening the child welfare system. On June...
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.