IMPORTANT!
The following resources serve Native Americans. The FIRST step you should take is to contact the Tribe's ICWA Specialist.
ICWA Resources
What is ICWA
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law that seeks to keep American Indian children with American Indian families. Congress passed ICWA in 1978 in response to the alarmingly high number of Indian children being removed from their homes by both public and private agencies. The intent of Congress under ICWA was to "protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families" (25 U.S.C. § 1902). ICWA sets federal requirements that apply to state child custody proceedings involving an Indian child who is a member of or eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe.
ICWA is an integral policy framework on which tribal child welfare programs rely. It provides a structure and requirements for how public and private child welfare agencies and state courts view and conduct their work to serve tribal children and families. It also acknowledges and promotes the role that tribal governments play in supporting tribal families, both on and off tribal lands. However, as is the case with many laws, proper implementation of ICWA requires vigilance, resources, and advocacy.
The Law
Federal Law (1978) – U.S. Code, Title 25, Chapter 21, §1903
State Law (1985) - Nebraska Revised Statutes, Section 43-1501, et. seq.
Regional ICWA Contacts
Oglala Sioux Tribe
Juanita Scherich, ICWA Administrator
Oglala Sioux Tribe - ONTRAC
P.O. Box 2080
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
Telephone: (605) 867-5805
Fax: (605) 867-1893
www.oglalalakotanation.orgOmaha Tribe
Gwen Vargas Porter, ICWA Director
Child Protection Services
P.O. Box 369
Macy, NE 68039
Telephone: (402) 837-5261
Fax: (402) 837-5362
Email: gwen.porter@nebraska.gov
www.omaha-nsn.govPonca Tribe of Nebraska
Jill Holt, ICWA Specialist
2602 J Street
Omaha, NE 68107
Telephone: (402) 734-5275
Fax: (402) 933-9657
Email: jholt@poncatribe-ne.org
www.poncatribe-ne.orgRosebud Sioux Tribe
Shirley J. Bad Wound, ICWA Specialist
RST ICWA Program
P.O. Box 609
Mission, SD 57555
Telephone: (605) 856-5270
Fax: (605) 856-5268
www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.govSac & Fox of Missouri in Kansas
305 N. Main St.
Reserve, Kansas 66434
Telephone: (785) 742-7471
www.sacandfoxnation-nsn.govSantee Sioux Nation
Clarissa LaPlante, ICWA Specialist
Dakota Tiwahe Service Unit
Route 2, Box 5191
Niobrara, NE 68760
Telephone: (402) 857-2342
Fax: (402) 857-2361
Email: clarissa.laplante@nebraska.gov
www.dakotatiwaheserviceunit.comWinnebago Tribe
Barbara Eagle, ICWA Specialist
P.O. Box 723
Winnebago, NE 68071
Telephone: (402) 878-2379
ICWA Cell: (712) 203-0669
Fax: (402) 878-2228
Email: baeagle@winnebagotribe.com
www.winnebagotribe.comBIA / Department of the Interior
Great Plains Regional Office
Bureau of Indian Affairs
115 4th Avenue, SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Telephone: (605) 226-7343
Fax: (605) 226-7446
www.bia.govFederal Register
www.gpo.gov/fdsys
List of Federally Recognized Tribes
• Click Advanced Search
• Select Federal Register from list of Available Collections
• Click Add
• Under Search in:, select Title and type in Indian Entities Recognized
• Click Search
• Sort results by date (new to old) and select most current
List of Tribal Agents For Service of Notice
• Same as above, but search “Indian Child Welfare Tribal Agents”
Additional ICWA Resources
Code of Federal Regulations
Indian Child Welfare Act
Click on “Code of Federal Regulations” from the right-hand menu. Select year. Look at Title 25—Indians. Click to download Chapter 1, Indian Child Welfare Act is part 23.
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/Native American Rights Fund
www.narf.org
ICWA manual
• www.narf.org/icwaNational Indian Child Welfare Association
www.nicwa.org
ICWA guidelines
• www.nicwa.org/policy/regulations/icwa/ICWA_guidelines.pdf
Local Indian Resources
Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs
State Capitol, 6th Floor, East
P.O. Box 94981
Lincoln, NE 68509
Telephone: (402) 471-9475
Fax: (402) 471-3392
www.indianaffairs.state.ne.usLincoln Indian Center, Inc.
1100 Military Road
Lincoln, NE 68508
Telephone: (402) 438-5231
Toll Free Telephone: 1-877-251-8111
Fax: (402) 438-5236
http://indiancenterinc.orgNebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, Inc.
Omaha Location
2240 Landon Court
Omaha, NE 68102
Telephone: (402) 346-0902
Fax: (402) 342-5290
www.nuihc.comNebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, Inc.
Lincoln Location
2331 Fairfield Street
Lincoln, NE 68521
Telephone: (402) 434-7177
Fax: (402) 434-7180
www.nuihc.comAberdeen Area Indian Health Services
Office of Professional Services
115 4th Avenue Southeast
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Telephone: (605) 226-7582
Fax: (605) 226-7321
www.ihs.gov/FacilitiesServices/areaOffices/aberdeenFred LeRoy Health & Wellness Center
2602 J Street
Omaha, NE 68107
Telephone: (402) 733-3612
Fax: (402) 733-3487
www.poncatribe-ne.org/departments_health.php
Quick Search
Center on Children Families and the Law - University of Nebraska-Lincoln 206 S. 13th St. Suite 1000
Lincoln, NE 68588-0227 - Phone: 800-746-8420 - Tollfree: 402-472-0844 in Lincoln
