NICWA News-Spring 2015

NICWANEWSQuarterly Newsletter • Spring 2015

Inside This IssueConference Breaks RecordsICWA Regs and Data Update

Member & Program of the YearOne Mother’s Story

And Much More

NICWA News is published by the National Indian Child Welfare Association5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon, 97239P: (503) 222-4044 F: (503) 222-4007 www.nicwa.org

CONTENTSLetter from Executive Director 2.

Conference Wrap Up 3.Seminole and Muscogee Provide Critical Support 3.

Where We’ve Been 6. NICWA Cares 6.Inside NICWA 7.

Upcoming Events 7.Government Affairs Update 8.

TLC Fund 8.TA Survey 9.

NM Tribal Notification Research 9.Membership Update 10.Umatilla Wins Award 13.

Member of the Year Helene Buster 14.When ICWA is Followed, Children Can Thrive 15.

Dear NICWA Members, Sponsors, Donors, and Friends,

Welcome to the spring edition of NICWA News. On the heels of our highly successful Protecting our Children annual confer-ence, we have much to share with you.

For those of you who participated in our conference as presenters, volunteers, or at-tendees, thank you for your support and partnership. Held in our hometown of Portland, Oregon, our 33rd annual conference drew 1,119 people from across the U.S. and Canada. Thirty-nine sponsors and 35 vendors joined us in hosting four plenary ses-sions and 73 workshops. For many, the highlight was a panel of five Native youth who have spent time in—or are currently in—the foster care system. Their candor and strength inspired us all to redouble our efforts to protect our children and ensure they have the services and supports they need to stay connected to family and community when removal is necessary.

I believe, as does NICWA, that the pathway to change is rooted in the vision that every Native child deserves access to community-based, culturally appropriate services that

help them grow up safe, healthy, and spiritually strong. I believe this can only become a reality through the efforts of each of us, and that it is NICWA’s job to work alongside each of you, to lift up your work, to advocate for the rights of tribes, and demand the resources necessary to serve our families and to make this dream a reality, because this is what our children and families need to thrive.

As I shared with conference participants, I am really heartened. In the last few months we have seen incredible gains, policy changes, and commitments from the Obama Administration that I didn’t know if I would see in my lifetime. In December 2014, at the White House Tribal Nations Summit, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced a multi-pronged ICWA compliance initiative. February 2015 saw the first update to ICWA state court guidelines since their drafting in 1979, and in March, the first substantive regulations ever were proposed. At our conference in April, the Bureau of Indian Affairs held its first tribal consulta-tion session on the proposed ICWA regulations. And just this month, I had the honor of speaking with President Barack Obama about the White House’s recent commitment to Native American youth. He assured me it is a priority of his administration. Together, we are making history.

Our ability to address historical and ongoing trauma is rooted in the belief that if we work together, strengthen our resolve and commitment, and invest our time and resources, we can right wrongs and we can protect our most valuable resource—our chil-dren. Our people have always believed that together we are stronger. Together we can achieve what is impossible to do alone.

Sincerely,

Sarah Kastelic

Message from the Executive Director

National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News Spring 2015 | Page 3

Muscogee and Seminole Again Provide Leadership with Host Sponsorships

The National Indian Child Welfare Association has received critical sponsorships from the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma. By once again providing support at the $20,000 host sponsorship level, both tribes continued their longstanding status as key partners in NICWA’s critical work.

NICWA Event Manager Lauren Shapiro stated, “NICWA’s annual conference is our largest event every year. It is en-couraging to know that both Muscogee and Seminole truly understand just what it takes to host this gathering each year. That they are willing to serve as host sponsors is a testament to their commitment to the well-being of Native American children.”

Largest Ever Protecting our Children Conference Provides Inspiration, Respite

With more than 1,100 registered participants, the 2015 National Indian Child Welfare Association Annual Protecting our Children National American Indian Conference on Child

Abuse and Neglect became the most well-attended conference in the 33-year history of the event. Held in NICWA’s hometown of Portland, Oregon, the conference—that attracts participants from grassroots ser-vice providers and federal policymakers to attorneys and adult adop-tees—also surpassed previous fundraising records for the event. Over half a million dollars was raised through sponsorships, registration fees, the silent auction, banquet paddle raise, and other revenue-gen-erating activities. Proceeds from the annual conference provide critical funding for NICWA’s work throughout the year.

Conference highlights included scores of new workshops across several tracks, the launch of a new conference mobile app, the annual membership reception, Culture Night, gathering for adult adoptees, legal professionals coffee break, entertainment from the 1491s, ICWA directors luncheon, and tribal systems of care national meeting, to name a few.

While the Protecting our Children Conference has always been a gathering place and time of reconnecting and respite for those in challenging tribal child welfare and related fields, recent years have also cemented its role as the nation-al crossroads between community work and national policymaking. This year, federal agencies again traveled to the NICWA conference with the express purpose of engaging with our attendees. Among the listening sessions held on site was the first of several national tribal consultations related to the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ proposed ICWA regulations.

NICWA thanks all who contributed to making this year’s event a success. continued on p. 4


Thank You, Sponsors

“Really the best conference I’ve ever attended.”

“I met new and wonderfully passionate people.”

“I’m inspired by how much progress is happening.”

“I am hopeful. This conference helped me see what is possible.”

“It is very inspiring to connect with com-mitted, dedicated professionals.”

“Thank you for this wonderful experience. I will forever cherish the

knowledge I have obtained.”

“I had a lot of fun and felt everyone’s kind hearts!”

“This was my first NICWA conference. I hope to participate every

year going forward.”

“A learning experience for sure!”

“I’m very grateful to learn and hear new ideas from other tribal and state workers to better help our children and

families.”

“Spiritually, intellectually, and relationally uplifting!”

Conference by the Numbers1,119 participants43 volunteers200+ tribes represented159 speakers35 exhibitors73 workshops43 states & provinces represented$500,000+ raised to fund NICWA’s critical work

ConferenceParticipants Say

Underwriters: Chinook Winds Casino Resort, MSU COL– Indigenous Law and Policy Center, and Tribal In-House Counsel Association


2015 Conference Snapshots


Last holiday season marked the second year that NICWA organized a bake sale to buy toys for the Siletz Head Start Program in Portland. With the help

of extraordinary baking skills that had been kept secret until now, staff raised over $200 towards the purchase of toys.

As part of this growing tradition, NICWA staffers visited the class to give children their toys in person. “There are few things like seeing a kid’s face light up as they unwrap pres-ents,” said Local Community Engagement Team Leader Justin Boro. “It was a great re-minder of why we work so hard to advo-cate for Native children and families. This is one of the most rewarding community service activities we do.”

In May, NICWA staff volunteered at the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day organized by the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA). NARA, a long-time partner of NICWA’s in systems of care work, led the full day of activities for children and families at Chief Joseph Elementary School in north Portland.

Boro added, “It’s such an honor to be able to help out in our small way. Giving back to the local community is something all NICWA staff share as a value.”

NICWA Cares Staff Lead Toy Drive, Volunteer at Children’s Mental Health Day

Every year, NICWA provides on-site training and technical assistance to dozens of communities in the U.S. and Canada. Here is where we’ve been in 2015.

Where We’ve Been

NICWA Staff Join #WearPink Day in Support of Native Kids

To demonstrate support for Tulsa participants in the final ICWA regulations hearing on May 14, 2015, NICWA joined others across the nation in

wearing pink to work. Staff donned their rosy attire at the request of the Cherokee Nation, who made a public plea to wear pink to honor Native children adopted away from their families and culture.

“Although we couldn’t be at that hearing in person,” said NICWA Communications Manager Nicole Adams, “it was important for us to show that our work is intended to help all Native chidren. Those who are separated from their families unnecessarily are never far from our hearts.”


ICWA Myths & Realities NICWA dispels some of the most commonly perpetuated myths about the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.

Myth ♦ ICWA applies in divorce proceedings and custody battles between two biological parents.

Reality ♦ False. ICWA only applies in child welfare proceedings and adoption proceedings.

Ettawageshik and Wesaw Assume New Officer Positions on NICWA Board

At our spring board of directors meeting in Portland, Oregon, Rochelle Ettawageshik (Little

Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians) and Alex Wesaw (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) were elected to new lead-ership positions on the board.

Ettawageshik, first elected to the NICWA board in 2008, was confirmed as board vice president. Now retired, Ettawageshik is the former director of Native American affairs for the State of Michigan.

Wesaw was elected secretary. He first came to the board as a youth represen-tative through his work with the National Congress of American Indians Youth Commission.

“I am honored by the trust my peers on the NICWA board have placed in me,” said Wesaw. “I view this as a testament for the sort of return on investment that can happen from believing in, and com-mitting to, Native youth.”

Upcoming Events

Understanding Oglala Sioux Tribe v. Van Hunnik:

Members-Only* WebinarMay 27, 2015*This event is for NICWA members-only as a benefit of their membership. Become a member today and join us for future events.

Portland, Oregon Training Institutes

September 22–25, 2015• Positive Indian Parenting• ICWA Basics with Guidelines Update• Advanced ICWA

Anchorage, Alaska Training Institutes

November 17–20, 2015 • Positive Indian Parenting• ICWA Basics with Guidelines Update• Advanced ICWA

Albuquerque, New Mexico Training Institutes

December 8–11, 2015• Positive Indian Parenting• ICWA Basics with Guidelines Update• Advanced ICWA

34th Annual Protecting our Children Conference

St. Paul, Minnesota

April 3–6, 2016

St. Paul, MinnesotaTraining Institutes

April 6–9, 2016• Positive Indian Parenting• ICWA Basics with Guidelines Update

Visit www.nicwa.org/news or email [email protected] for more

information or to request a training for your community.

NICWA is Hiring!Join Team NICWA! We will accept applications for two positions–Development Associate and Operations Coordinator–until June 4, 2015.

Visit www.nicwa.org/careers to find out how to apply!

Inside NICWA


NICWA Leads Way on ICWA Data and Regs

It has been nearly 36 years since the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) became federal law. NICWA works tirelessly to ensure that the lessons learned from the past inform the future. Thanks to your support, our

efforts have finally culminated in two very significant policy changes that will strengthen ICWA.

First, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposes to collect data on selected ICWA requirements from all 50 states. In April, the ACF announced they would take comments on new ICWA data elements for inclusion in the federal government’s largest foster care, guardianship, and adoption database. This is a departure from ACF’s earlier position in which they did not believe they had authority to collect this data.

This new opportunity will open the door to data collection that can iden-tify AI/AN children in state child welfare systems, their tribal affiliation, and other data related to compliance with ICWA. When in place, this new data will form the first substantive data collection on ICWA compli-ance since the law’s passage in 1978. Such data also holds the promise of being able to inform future federal resource allocations, provision of technical assistance and training, and efforts to reduce the number of AI/AN children in foster care.

Second, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) proposed new regulations to clarify ICWA’s implementation. Since ICWA’s passage we have learned much more about how courts and agencies implement ICWA. We know there is still

widespread non-compli-ance with the law that is depriving hundreds, if not thou-sands, of AI/AN children and their

families of the federal protections that were guaranteed them. This non-com-pliance is illustrated by the wide range of interpretations that many states and local jurisdictions have developed on several ICWA requirements, subjecting even simple, relatively clear areas of the law to interpretations that are clearly not what Congress intended.

NICWA—in close collaboration with tribes and our partner organizations—has pushed even harder for the establishment of federal regulations. Such regulations can clarify the intent of the law and put an end to widespread non-compliance. In March, the BIA responded to our ongoing advocacy by proposing new regulations and initiating a public comment period that ended May 19, 2015. Supporters of the regulations submitted comments en force, representing tribal nations and organizations, hundreds of individuals, aca-demics, professional associations, and child advocacy organizations. The importance of establishing these regulations cannot be overstated. They will carry a greater force of law than previous guidelines and not only clarify the areas where we know there are problems, but will also take away incentives for those who would consider violating the law.

A Little Bit of TLC

Last winter, NICWA launched the Terry L. Cross Fund in honor of our founding executive director’s

life’s work. This decision reflects his dedication to American Indian and Alaska Native child advocacy and our desire to continue to see this core organizational programming thrive.

And thrive it has! Within the fund’s first few months, NICWA received 51 gifts totaling $10,475. Thank you to all who gave. We are thrilled to report that recent events reflect how these gifts have been put to use.

More specifically, the Bureau of Indian Affairs unveiled its new Indian Child Welfare Act guidelines last month, followed quickly by proposed regula-tions. This is the first time the guidelines have been updated since their inception in 1979 and the first time substantive regulations have ever been proposed. NICWA’s advocacy, and in turn, your support—financial and otherwise—have been key to these gains!

This type of change is hard won and takes years of dedication, patience, and support. Policy work is an area that is challenging to fund, due to the reality that grants are scarce in this field and govern-ment support it not an option. That is why your individual donations mean a great deal to NICWA. Each dollar gives a little bit of TLC to our advocacy efforts to protect Native chil-dren and families.

Supporters of the regulations submitted comments en force,

representing tribes, organizations, hundreds of individuals, academics, professional associations, and child advocacy organizations.


NICWA Solicits Training, TA Input

In late February 2015, NICWA convened New Mexico tribal and state research participants and other juvenile justice constituents at Isleta Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to report and

validate the results of our research project. Funded by the Public Welfare Foundation, the project focuses on the tribal notification law for Native youth entering the state juvenile justice system. Since November 2013, NICWA and partner Association on American Indian Affairs have inter-viewed and convened tribal and state constituents across New Mexico to learn about how notification currently works and its effects on case outcomes.

The tribal notification provision for Native youth entering the state juve-nile justice system—unique to the State of New Mexico—has been iden-tified as a method to address the disproportionate number and disparate treatment of American Indian and Alaska Native youth in the juvenile justice system.

Three rounds of interviews were conducted with 28 participants. The study found that tribal notification is not practiced consistently among ju-venile probation officers, particularly in regard to identifying Native status and the timing of notification—as there are no clear procedures for the administration of tribal notification. Based on interviews with tribal partic-ipants, as well as public discussions with tribal personnel, tribal notifica-tions are not consistently received. Because of the language of the notice provision, the provision has been interpreted to provide for notice late in the process—generally after adjudication has occurred. Tribal and state participants have suggested that earlier notification is needed to increase tribal advocacy for, and access to, tribal services by Native youth, partic-ularly in cases where families are unable to advocate for their children.

Among tribal partners, there was a continuum of capacities to respond to notification as well as different ideas about the preferred level of in-volvement. Mental health is a pervasive issue for Native youth at risk for entering the juvenile justice system, and access to appropriate services is a significant challenge. According to respondents, where tribal and state personnel have established working relationships, including infor-mation sharing and collaborative case planning, cases have resulted in coordinated and community-based treatment placement and family engagement. Thus, there is evidence that notice, particularly where there are formal or informal agreements to clarify notification procedures and

Tribal Notification Research Findings Shared with NM Partners and Constituents

continued on p. 14

NICWA is engaging constituents from across Indian Country to help identify areas of need in training, technical

assistance, and professional development specific to tribal communities to better serve children, families, and communities.

NICWA began surveying stakeholders at the 2015 annual conference in Portland, Oregon. To date, over 200 stakeholders have complet-ed the survey. This data along with information collected from a focus group that was held in 2014, will help shape NICWA’s training curricu-lum and technical assistance resource devel-opment for the future.

NICWA’s guiding principles and values con-cerning technical assistance include the belief that our services need to empower families, programs, and tribes. NICWA also believes in targeted technical assistance based upon careful relational world view assessment and written technical assistance plans. This survey will help guide NICWA in the right direction in providing training and technical assistance that Indian Country finds valuable.

NICWA needs your help. NICWA wants to pro-vide training and technical assistance that is relevant and helpful to your community. If you have not yet filled out a survey, NICWA would love your feedback.

In the next article of NICWA News we will give you the results of the survey and the steps NICWA is taking to meet your needs for train-ing and technical assistance.

NICWA wants to provide training and technical

assistance that is relevant and helpful to your community. We would love your feedback. Please contact Senior Program Director Steve Hudson at [email protected] to request a survey today.

Tribal representatives meet to discuss research findings


New and Renewing MembersDecember 16, 2014–April 10, 2015

TribeAk-Chin Indian CommunityAssociation of Village Council PresidentsChickasaw NationConfederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian ReservationCook Inlet Tribal CouncilGreenville RancheriaMescalero Tribal Human ServicesMuckleshoot Indian TribeMuscogee (Creek) NationSeminole Tribe of Florida

OrganizationCasey Family Programs–ArizonaCasey Family Programs–Austin

Casey Family Programs–Bay AreaCasey Family Programs–Denver, Indian Child

Welfare ProgramCasey Family Programs–Headquarters

Casey Family Programs–IdahoCasey Family Programs–LA County

Casey Family Programs–San AntonioCasey Family Programs–San Diego

Casey Family Programs–SeattleCasey Family Programs–Yakima

ComcastEckerd

Indian Child and Family Services

IndividualVera DawseyLea Ann HolderStephen HudsonJo ProutAdrian Smith

Coral Membership Tier

TribeAlabama-Quassarte Tribal TownCitizen Potawatomi NationConfederated Tribes of Grand RondeConfederated Tribes of the Chehalis ReservationCopper River Native AssociationDelaware NationFond du Lac Band of Lake Superior ChippewaJamestown S’Klallam TribeMatch-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi IndiansMescalero Apache Tribe Early Childhood ProgramMille Lacs Band of OjibweNome Eskimo CommunityPala Band of Mission IndiansPokagon Band of PotawatomiPrairie Band Potawatomi NationUte Indian TribeWinnebago Tribe of Nebraska

OrganizationHandel Information Technologies

Hobbs, Strauss, Dean and Walker, LLPNebraska Families Collaborative

Spirit Rock ConsultingStandard Insurance CompanyTribal Law and Policy InstituteYouth Advocate Programs, Inc.

IndividualCheryl Baldomaro LucasJessica BillieAlaina CapoemanAnita ChisholmJohn DossettLucille EchohawkJo-Ann GiordanoDanielle Glenn-RiveraMichael H. GuilfoyleMarian S. HarrisSarah KastelicJill Kehaulani-EschSonya LaCoute-DanaRobert LindecampJennifer RountreeMatthew ScottTim TankMary TemplinMartha J. TommieKip TonerLucille White

Turquoise Membership Tier

John George

Associate Membership Tier


Deb AbbottTrudy AdamsCathy Adams-BomarShirlene AdeCarmelita AdkinsCarol AhenakewCynthia L. AlexanderJon AlexanderThaidra AlfredChuck AllenCourtney AllensworthNekoda AltahaJoyce AlveyCassie AndersonRosemary AndersonRobin AndrewsKelly AnthonyMichelle AntoneWinona Aubrey-HerzogWillie AustinShawn BackboneShirley J. Bad WoundAlondra BaileyAlvina BarnesMisty Barney-DewittChristine BaronMichael BarryRosalynn BartonJonelle BattiseRomona BaxterJenny BeanKelli BeckerSharon Begay-McCabeTyree BellMcKenzie BennettKaylene Big KnifeRachel BigsamNaomi A. BillColin BirdSara BissenAmber BlahaJasmine BoatwrightMary BooLaura BordenJustin BoroNinona BoujradaTara BourdukofskyJuliana BourgetStephanie BowensPreston BoydTerra BransonSarah BrantEleanor BrazeauBarry BrenardSteve BrennanChris BrewerCorrie BrinleyDanielle BroncheauLucy BrownAliza BrownLeslie Brown-HackerMelissa BurnsDebra BurtonRachel BurttReggie ButlerLillie ButlerLoraine ButlerDana ButterfieldChrystal Byred

Michelle CabralFrancis CacaldaKatharine CahnSarah CalgieEvangeline CampbellTheresa CantuTerri CapoemanWayne CardinalChristina CasarezInamarie ChaneyRobin CharlieNancy ChestnutLoretta ChiaMarie ChiklakWinfred ChilesMarilyn ChristensenKim ChristensenAmber Christensen-FoxJacquelyn ChurchillHyuny Clark-ShimCassie ClearyBurdette CliffordArlene CocioThomas CodyAlphonso ColegroveKarrie ColegroveJustine ColtonMike ColvardAlexis ContrerasChristine ContrerasBrian ConwayBeverly CookJennifer CooperTina CorbinBilly CorderoGloria CotaJohnathan CourtneyEmily CourtneyBrandi CozadHeather Craig-OldsenRaju DahlstromKathy DanielsErica DanielsPenny DanzukaPaula DavilaAndrea DavisDenise DavisJames DecouteauMichealine DeeseKathy DeserlyTanya Devon TorresJuan DiazCharlene DimmickBeverly DionCaitlin DonaldMargaret DouvilleVeronica DriskillValerie DudleyJohn DufresneChanda DuncanNoreen EdwardsAdirian EmeryJanet EmeryRob EnglandOzzy EscarteAlberta EspinozaKatelynn EsquibellTkay EstesMarneena Evans

Jessica FagnilliValerie FentonBarbra FetherJulie FinkbonnerRoxanne FinneyAmy FitzpatrickKatherin FlowerBrian FodorKim FordKathryn FordRebecca FoxDebra FrancisJaycelene FrankShane FrischKimberly FuhrmanEldonna FurchertHeather FystromGeorge GabelAnnette GachupinIsidro GahiDiana GamechuckAnderine GantSuzanne GarciaAaron GarciaRuben GarciaEstela GarciaLoleta GarfieldShaun GarrettMichael GavinGloria GeorgeRetchenda George-BettisworthShari GhalayiniEleanor Gil-KashiwaberaLisa GillmanBrenda Gilman-BagwillLinda Gokee-RindalEdwin Gonzalez-SantinSarah GoodeMyrna GoodenDenise GoodmanCarlee GormanJane GottschalkSusan GravesBecky GreearGloria GreenMorningstar GreenTammy GrimmTina GroundsElizabeth GunterLloyd GuySelamawit HabtomCharlene HadleyTonya HansonJanice HanunAnnie HarlanTracy HavilandMaureen HeffernanCharlieann HerkshanLinda HerzbergBailey HicksRichard HicksRoberta HillaireJames HillaireDenice HindsAnna-Marie HinojosaSiagigi HintsatakeBarbara HitchcockShay HoffmanLeah Hoffman


Abalone Membership TierNicole Homer-LundgrenPaula HopkinsAnn HopperAshley HopperShari HostlerThelma HouleLoretta HowardRyan HowardDavid HowestineKelly Hubbell-HintonTiffany HuntAnne HurdJohnna HurtShawnee InezCaroline JackKathryn JacketRoni JacksonTsiawnte JacksonRonald JacksonAllee JacksonRikki JamesSierra JamesTeela JamesJeri JamesAndrew JasperSarah JasperKim JenkinsWalter JimJessica E. JimVeronica JohnLucille JohnsonRobin JohnsonElizabeth JohnsonEllen JonesRebekah JonesNorma JosephCarmen KalamaElla KaneArchie KashoyaMelissa KatsikisLes KavanaughTahnee KawakoneDolores KeelingErica KemmerJimmie KingAshley KingbirdJuliette KnightKaran KolbVerna J. KolyahaBlair KreuzerSherril KuhnsKristy KunkelHannah LaBountyEverett LaffertyCandace LaGouBrenda LancasterWill LandonJonelle LaPiereKathy LaPlanteCheryl LaPointeStacey LaraSylvia LasleyJane LataneDanielle Lazore ThompsonRobert LekanderPatricia LenziAllison LeofEsie Leoso-CorbineKen Levinson


Emma LightningAshley LincolnConnie LobatoAllison LongShawna LopacElizabeth Lorina MillsChristopher LouisHelen LouisTina LouiseElizabeth LoweMelinda LowranceLeah LujanLora Lynn SpiveyMichele MaasMadeleine MacIvorMarilee MaiAllie MaldonadoMatt ManionClaudio MantovaniMarilisa ManuelCynthia Marchand-CecilEve MarshAlicia MartinezStephanie MarusichShary MasonBarbara MayLawrence McAdamsKrisstyn McCallAllyson McCoveySharon McCoveyAnthony McDonnellTraci McGarrySonja McGrawSherry McIntyreRachelyn McKinnonFrankie MeddacoBriana MegoMichael MelhornMichael MelterRobyn MeltonNicole MendezLucinda MestethHolly MeyerKristin MichaudLloyd MillerEleanor MillerSara MillerNancy MiquelonAndrea MitchellSuzanne MoineauAmber MolinaPedro MolinaVenus Montoya-FelterCharlene MooreElizabeth MooreStephanie MoranJudy A. MorrisonLynette MostTerrie MuhammadRebekah MurrayLenore Myer-NaultDan NachorDavid NajeraPam NasonEmery NaultDeannah Neswood-GisheyLaura NewtonBuffy NicholsonDennis Noonan

Ryan OatmanCrystal O’GradyArnella OldmanVivien OlsenJoe OrfordLupe Ortega-OrtizRosario OrtizElizabeth OsunaRaul PachecoTracy PaciniMichelle PagelRebecca PaheSonia PalaciosBarbara ParkerTassy ParkerDoreen ParmeterTerri ParrRobert PascoHector PattyLucy PavillaJaymee PedroJenny PelkolaKym PendarvisKrista PeralaPhillip PerezAmy PerronDarlene PetersonCelestine PetoskeyJackie PiersonJean PlaschkeGwen PorterMisty PowellUrrutia PrestonLaurie PriceJoshua ProperTerry RacehorseRachel RamirezJuan RamirezKathy RandallErick RaskDebra RayAlberta RayEdison Red NestNichole RedmondAnna RedskyRosalee Revey-JacobsCrystal RichardsonWendy RinkelRosanne RoachHeather RobertsonDonald RodriguezTanya RodriguezPatricia RoeAntonio RojasRianna RossTamica RossiterJo RoyalLaura RuizDottie RundlesWallace RupertJill RuskTuanya RutenbeckMitzi SaboriNaomi SainzJessica SalgadoSandra SampsonDavid SampsonRoban San MiguelJanie Sanchez

Cheyenne SandersChristian SchmidgallMarty SchroederDavid SchunkVesta ScottGina SecordCynthia SeguinDarlene SellersMark SeniorNicole ShackelfordJune ShakespeareAdrienne SheridanJames SherrillDebra ShippentowerJo-Ann ShyloskiPaul SiewellDennis SikhanthatVirge SilveiraKelly SimonEleanor SkeadMike SlizewskiCurtis SmebyKristeene SmithSandra SmithCynthia SmithWillimea Smith-McNealBernadette SpenceAlton SpencerTyger Spencer-HealdStephanie SpieringHidonee SpoonhunterNathan St. GoddardLisa StarkJason StarkTischa Stefanowski-MasonKim StevensNancylee StewartLinda StillerKatie StoverHeather SummerlinAngela SundbergMaria SwainGlenda SwampyR.E. SzegoMandy TackettEtene TaimalelagiMarlene TateNina TaylorDana TaylorCarmin Tecumseh-WilliamsRachell TenorioSheridan TerbasketEdna TerbasketHeather TharpWendy ThomasShannon ThomasMary ThomasShelley Thomas ProkopMariam TiasKirsten TimbersConnie TimmermanMalerie TodecheenieJill TompkinsRosemary TootkaylokMarge TorranceLisa TrahanMelissa TrevinoJanice TsoBrenda Tsosie


Abalone Membership TierNathania TsosieRoberta TuftiLorna TurgeonArdyce TurnerJeannie UnderwoodMaria ValandraAngela ValenzuelaSpring Van BruntChristy M. VanderhoopJolene VasquezDoreen VelardeJeff VersawDorinda VigilBrenda VillalbaMichelle VillarealMalia VillegasHelen VisarragaLisa VuBrian WahneeArdith WalkemJoe WalkerVincent G. WallulatumJoni WallulatumChristine WaquieMichelle WardenRoland WarnerDeanna WarrenAnitra WarriorCharlotte WattersKara WaunekaJanet WebsterStephanie WeldonDeb WestonStacy WhiteMichelle WhiteMarlies White HatSunshine WhitehairLiana WhiteleyEugenia WhiteshirtBrandelle WhitworthCarole WilcoxSharon M. WileyLeela WillardJerry WilliamsJoni WilliamsSherrie WilliamsMelissa WilliamsMarie K. WilliamsDarlene WillierMary WillisSheila WillisJuliann WilsonGeraldine WilsonKimee Wind-HummingbirdDaniel Winkel-WolfshadowKelly WinstonAlison WolfeMichael WolfeMichael E. YatesWilfred YazzieMelissa YazzieApril YbarraDana Young


2013-2014 NICWA MembersThe NICWA annual report proudly publishes a listing of members for each given fiscal year. It is our sincere regret that due to an inadvertent error, some members were not listed in the 2014 report. Listed below are the names of these valued members.

TurquoiseAlaska Legal Services CorporationCrazy Horse Memorial FoundationDenver Indian Family Resource Center, Inc.Nevada Division of Child and Family ServicesNew York Council on Adoptable Children

CoralAlaska Office of Children’s ServicesU.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Lopac ShawnaMartin-Wolfe CindyMcPaul DoreenMetcalfe WilliamMeyers NevaMiller CharlaMinehart PaulMittan DanielMyers LucindaOld Rock MariePederson MichellePedro JaymeeRanger BobbiRay DebraRobinson-Ross JenniferRuano RogerRucker ValerieSalinas ErikaSalo LisaShapiro LaurenSpence DarlaSwanson KristieTovar MollyTrottier ChristinaTwedt DaleWesaw AlexWiegel NatalieYellow Hammer Jennifer

TurquoiseCitizen Potawatomi NationConfederated Salish & Kootenai TribesCowlitz Indian TribeDelaware Tribe of IndiansLittle River Band of Ottawa IndiansPueblo of AcomaQuapaw Tribe of OklahomaQuinault Indian NationSkull Valley Band of Goshute IndiansSmith River RancheriaSusanville Indian Rancheria

CoralCoushatta Tribe of LouisianaSycuan Band of the Kumeyaay NationTwenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians

Individual Members Organizational Members

Tribal Members

TurquoiseBeard MarthaDisselhorst ThomasGlen-Rivera DanielleGoodtracks LarkLeigh RovianneLein LauraMiller NancyNimmo ChrissiPowless DaleRose AhniwakeRountree JenniferShanker TameraSolimon Petra

CoralCross TerryDraper JanetFleming SharonGivens FayMay JillMcKenzie LeolaSimmons David

AssociateBelcher VertisFiechtl LindaOrtiz Manuelita

Umatilla Wins Innovative Program of the Year Award from NICWA

For significantly reducing the number of Native American children in the foster care system and instituting reforms within the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Confederat-ed Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is the recipient of NICWA’s

2015 Innovative Program of the Year Award. The award honors and recognizes mem-bers of NICWA that have an exemplary practice-based program, project, initiative, or policy.

CTUIR’s DCFS says they have successfully implemented differential response—a cul-turally sensitive practice—to lower the number of children within the foster care system, which has helped build relationships within the tribes and the community and assure minimal trauma and stress to families. This is done with inter-department collaborations between DCFS and the Umatilla Tribal Department of Public Safety. The two depart-ments entered into a memorandum of understanding out of shared concern and respon-sibility for the welfare and safety of children, and to provide an effective tribal system of social services aimed at safeguarding the well-being of children and families.

“Our families are in a healing process every day and we continue to battle daily obstacles, but there is hope. I am very proud of the CTUIR people whom I believe in,” said Julie Taylor, DCFS director. Julie Taylor and her staff accepted the award at the annual membership reception on April 19, 2015, in Portland, Oregon. (CTUIR Press Release, April 20, 2015)

AbaloneAceves LorenaBarton DorothyBegay Tileah (Tia)Bentle LauraBig Plume VanessaBradfield KellyBradshaw CherylBrammer MistyBuster HeleneConnor AngelaContreras AlexisCozad BrandiCrampton KimberlyCutknife MelissaEagletail KyleFarmer CarmenFirst Charger SamanthaFollett Pollak LisaGeorge RosalieGivens-Denley SherrillGregg Ragu-JaraHanna DanaHarris WendyHutchason MaggiJames EllaKamen MichaelLoera-Barragan GriseldaLong Allison

Anthony Barnett, CTUIR Tribal Police Department, and Alex Nilo of Child Protec-tive Services at the 2015 Sexual Assault Awareness Walk.


NICWA Selects Helene Buster as 2015 Member of the Year Lifetime of Service to Seminole Tribe of Florida a Deciding Factor

Tribal Notification Research, continued from page 9treatment collaboration, may improve case outcomes.

“In general, it is clear that the efficacy of the tribal notification provision can be improved,” reported NICWA Research Manager Jen Rountree, “and participants expressed a strong interest in continuing to work with NICWA and one another to improve the notification process.”

NICWA is requesting additional funding from the Public Welfare Foundation to help facilitate tribal and state juvenile jus-tice stakeholders’ implementation of policy and procedural changes to improve the notification law.

At this year’s annual membership reception, NICWA bestowed its 2015 Member of the Year Award to Helene J. Buster, a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. She has been the director of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s

Family Services Department since 2005. Helene is a registered nurse and is presently working toward achieving her certification as an addiction specialist.

Throughout Helene’s life and profession-al career, she has spearheaded the development of myriad services for Native families. These include: co-founding the Seminoles in Recovery Support Group that brought the first AA meetings onto the reservation; managing a tribal diabetes research project and epidemiological study, which improved diabetes treatment compliance and awareness; and orchestrating the development of the tribal treatment center, currently in its ninth year of operation.

Buster also developed an addiction aftercare program. Her leadership chairing the tribe’s court committee re-sulted in development of a state-recognized tribal court. Buster played a key role in establishing the Seminole Children’s Code. She created a multidisciplinary child protection team, organized the Annual Florida Native American Recovery Convention, established a tribal youth home, and assisted in the development of the tribe’s truancy management program.

NICWA’s Member of the Year Award honors and recognizes an individual member of NICWA who has demonstrated outstanding service, contributions, and leadership in their profession as well as involvement as a member of NICWA. With an almost-unparalleled list of accomplishments and a demonstrated lifelong commitment to service to her community, it is clear that the award is well-deserved.

Helene Buster (center) receives her award from NICWA Executive Director Sarah Kastelic and NICWA Board President Gil Vigil.

2015 NICWA Member of the Year Helene Buster


Editor’s Note: During our annual conference, we were touched by the story Allie Greenleaf Maldonado shared during a listening session with federal officials. We asked her to share it with our readers.

Ahnee. My name in English is Allie Greenleaf Maldonado, but my ancestors know me as Greenleaf Talking because when I speak, I speak for my people. I am a citizen of the Little

Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and a member of the mshiikenh or turtle clan. I want to tell a personal story about how the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) has impacted my life. I am looking at a picture of a beautiful little boy who is a citizen of the Little River Band of Odawa Indians. He is my son. He became my son because of ICWA. His 14-year-old biological mother ran away to Nevada where she gave birth. The State of Nevada immediately took custody of the baby and placed him into a non-relative, non-Indian placement. However, the Little River Band was properly notified and the tribe intervened. The good people of Nevada wanted to follow ICWA and so they asked the tribe for an appropriate placement. If they had not followed ICWA, under Nevada law, the family that brought him home from the hospital would have maintained custody and would have had the first right to adopt him if no family members came forward. They were very nice people—great people—but they had no ties to the Native community whatsoever. My son would have been brought up thousands of miles from his tribe and his culture but for ICWA.

However, because he is Indian, and Nevada followed federal law, he was transported back to Michigan and placed into foster care with my husband and me. I am from a sister tribe and member of the same clan as my son, so the tribe decided we were an appropriate placement. After about two years of trying to reunite him with his birth mother, both birth parents voluntarily gave up their parental rights and we were allowed to adopt him.

Because of ICWA, my son is growing up with his culture. He is seven now and his culture and community are very import-ant to him. He goes to pow wows, we regularly attend tribal community events, he is learning about traditional medicines, and I am very proud that my son is a Snow Snake champion. Snow Snake is a traditional game in our tribe. It is also of the utmost importance that my son is being raised to be a good citizen of the Little River Band and the United States. When my son turns 18 and can vote about the wolf hunt in Michigan, he is going to understand why his people oppose the hunt. He will know that ma’ iingan is our cousin. When he votes on the fishing and treaty rights, he will be in-formed because his elders have told him why the fish are so important to us and why they must be protected. He has the possibility now of becoming a leader in his community. He is potentially the next generation of tribal leadership. None of that would have been possible if good people didn’t follow ICWA.

When ICWA is Followed, Children Can Thrive: One Mother’s Story

The Honorable Allie Greenleaf Maldanado is the chief judge of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.

Because of ICWA, my son is growing up with his culture.—The Honorable Allie Greenleaf Maldonado

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NICWA News

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NICWA News-Spring 2015

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