National Indian Health Board

Supports the National Indian Child Welfare Act

President Biden proclaimed November 2022 as National Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) and urged all Americans, as well as their elected representatives at the federal, state, and local levels, to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, and to celebrate November 25, 2022, as Native American Heritage Day. Sadly, while these celebrations are taking place, Native communities are facing a severe threat to their rights by opponents who wish to undermine the protections of our children and families.

Join the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), hundreds of Tribal citizens, and American Indian and Alaska Native advocates and allies to demonstrate your support for the National Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). On November 9, opponents in Haaland v. Brackeen will argue that those protections be removed. Meet NIHB in front of the Supreme Court and make this NAHM count by helping to prevent the dismantling of ICWA. ProtectICWA is gathering in person to respectfully demonstrate support for the ICWA on this important day.

For 44 years, ICWA has helped keep American Indian and Alaska Native children in the care of extended family or Tribes whenever possible, but it is now being challenged. “ICWA is one of the few U.S. policies in place that offers direct healing from the ravages of the boarding schools and its legacy impact on Native children and Tribal communities. It must remain strong to provide the only opportunity many Native children will have to cultivate and retain ties to Tribal community and to cultivate Native culture and identity,” said NIHB CEO Stacy A. Bohlen (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians).

NIHB has been a strong supporter of ICWA with a resolution and efforts on capitol hill. NIHB Chairman Chief William Smith (Valdez Native Tribe) stated, “Without ICWA, we as a nation surrender to the centuries-long U.S. policy of cultural and language erasure targeting Native children.”

For more information, contact A.C. Locklear, Federal Relations Director, at alocklear@nihb.org.