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Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

Related Terms • InterEthnic Adoption Provisions (IEP) • Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA)

Definition: A federal law (Public Law 95-608) regarding the placement of Native American children which establishes the tribe's sovereignty as a separate nation over the welfare of children who are tribal members of who are eligible for tribal membership. Children covered under ICWA are not covered under the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA-IEP) and Native nations retain sovereignty.

Originally passed in 1978, the Act continues to be amended and disputed.

Also Known As:ICWA

Related Resources:

Native Americans and Adoption: The Indian Child Welfare Act
Understanding events that preceded the Indian Child Welfare Act won't make the Act easier to follow, but may help those seeking to adopt or place, adoption professionals, and searching adoptees be more patient while legalities are observed.

Elsewhere on the Web:

The Indian Child Welfare Act: An Overview
Clear language overview of the Act and its application to adoption.

The Indian Child Welfare Act (Full Text)
A full text of the act and amendments from the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA).

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