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. 

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: 

Content Reviewed by Kehl Van Winkle – Indian Law

Headshot of Kehl Van Winkle Indian Law Attorney

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. 

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