Indian Child Welfare
Preserving Native American Indian Families and Culture
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), enacted in 1978, is a federal law designed to address the disproportionate removal of Native American children from their families and communities. It aims to protect the integrity of Native American families and preserve their cultural heritage. ICWA recognizes that Native American tribes possess inherent sovereignty and the right to make decisions regarding child welfare matters within their communities. Recently, the Supreme Court upheld ICWA in a landmark case challenging its constitutionality.
Ensuring Proper Placement Preferences
Our firm assists tribes navigating ICWA’s placement preferences, and advocating for the placement of Native American children in culturally appropriate and supportive environments. We work to ensure that children are not only protected legally but also nurtured within their cultural communities.
Talk to Our Indian Law Attorneys About Your Tribe’s Legal Needs at No Cost
Rigorous Legal Representation and Advocacy on Behalf of Indian Children
Our Indian law team is dedicated to providing rigorous legal representation and advocacy for tribes dealing with ICWA-related matters. We understand the complexity of child welfare cases and the need to prioritize the best interests of Native American children.
Our experienced attorneys handle ICWA compliance and a wide range of related child welfare cases. We work closely with tribes to ensure that their voices are heard and that their rights, as outlined by ICWA, are protected throughout the legal process. We actively engage with tribal governments, social services agencies, and community organizations to create a network of support for Native American child welfare.
Sharing the Future: Indian Child Welfare Webinar | mctlaw
Attorneys discuss issues relevant to dual heritage children when dealing with child welfare issues in Tribal and State courts.
Our team of experienced Indian Law attorneys can help with matters like:
- Indian gaming compacts, regulation and compliance
- Tribal cannabis and hemp regulation
- Tribal Governance and Drafting Statutes and Regulations
- Tribal Self-Determination and Self-Governance contracting and compacting with the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Indian Health Service (IHS)
- Structuring Tribal Healthcare Programs and Obtaining Funding from the Indian Health Service (IHS)
- Structuring or Restructuring Tribal Courts and Obtaining Funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOI)
- Creating and Implementing Tribal Housing Programs and Obtaining NAHASDA Funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Litigating Breach of Trust and Takings Claims
- Enforcing Treaty Rights
- Oil & Gas Royalty Disputes
- Individual Indian Money Account Issues
- Native American Tribes and Employment Law
- Natural Resource Management for Tribal Lands
- Environmental Protection and Cleanup on Tribal Lands
- Protecting Sacred Sites
- Resolving Tribal Enrollment and Disenrollment Disputes
- Indian Child Welfare Protections
- Fee-to-Trust Land Acquisitions
- Federal Recognition for Native American Indian Tribes
- Misuse of Railway Easements on Indian Tribal Lands
- Issues with Jurisdiction Over Land Allotments
- Protecting the rights of individual Indian landowners
- Doing Business in Indian Country
- Obtaining a Section 8(a) Certification from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Pursuing Federal Contracts
- Operating as an Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) Section 17 Corporation, a Tribally Chartered Corporation, or an Alaska Native Corporation
Content Reviewed by Kehl Van Winkle – Indian Law
Kehl Van Winkle is an attorney at mctlaw based in the Seattle, WA office. His legal practice focuses on Indian Law. Mr. Van Winkle earned his Juris Doctor degree from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Van Winkle worked as an in-house attorney for the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe where he represented the Tribe in a variety of economic development projects, including the opening of a casino and a marijuana dispensary. He also represented the Tribe in State and Tribal Court on Indian Child Welfare Act cases and served as the prosecuting attorney for the Tribe in Tribal Court.
This page was last updated:
Contact Us Now
As an experienced leader in these types of lawsuits, we were confident the firm would have the expertise. However, what surprised us most was the high level of excellent customer service from the firm’s staff!
Pat R.
I can’t recommend this firm enough. They have an outstanding team that truly care for their clients…I have been awarded a fair six figure settlement.
Nate M.
When I say “they went to bat” for me…this Law Firm literally did just that. They persevered to bring the hard-nosed Manufacturer to settle and provide me some recompense for everything I had to endure which led to this suit.
Me’Chelle