Press Release

The Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association, Inc. is excited to announce two important events: the launch of its official website and a two-day conference to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act.

To enhance its mission, the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association recently launched a website designed to provide information and resources, as well as support and direction to tribes, agencies and individuals concerned with protecting the best interests of American Indian children and families. OICWA, a non-profit organization incorporated by the State of Oklahoma in 1984, represents the Indian Child Welfare programs in Oklahoma and advocates for the protection of Indian children and their families.

Through its website, www.oicwa.org, OICWA will highlight news, events and activities that affect Indian children, families and tribes. The website also provides information on OICWA, including its history, bylaws, membership and details of meetings and special projects.

One of OICWA’s special projects is the upcoming 2008 Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Conference, which will be held at the J.D. McCarty Center in Norman, Okla., on Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22. The conference theme is “Connecting to the Past to Protect Our Future: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Indian Child Welfare Act.”

“The purpose of this conference is to acknowledge the significance of the Indian Child Welfare Act in protecting the best interests of Indian children placed in foster care,” said Tracy Haney, OICWA President. “Prior to the enactment of this law, many Indian children placed in foster care lost their cultural identity because they were not given opportunities to maintain connections to their communities and tribes.”

Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978 in response to the alarming rate of Indian children removed from their homes and placed with non-Indian families. Based on nationwide studies conducted between 1969 and 1974, 25 to 35 percent of Indian children were removed from their homes and placed in non-Indian foster or adoptive homes by state courts and child welfare agencies.

Through panel discussions, conference participants will increase their understanding of ICWA’s impact on Indian children and families and learn the importance of connections between Indian children in foster care and their tribes. Panel speakers will include tribal and state judges; former and current tribal foster youth; and tribal leaders. C. Blue Clark, Instructor of Law at Oklahoma City University and an expert in Indian Country issues, will provide a keynote presentation on the effects of historical trauma on American Indian children, families and tribes. Participants will also learn about the healing process for those affected by historical trauma and boarding school syndrome during a presentation by Warren D. Petoskey, a spiritual/traditional counselor and an expert in traditional sensitivity training.

During the conference’s second day, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a silent march at the State Capitol. The march is being held to raise awareness of the number of American Indian children in foster care and the importance of maintaining connections with their communities and tribes. According to Oklahoma State Department of Human Services statistics, one out of five children involved in the state foster care system is considered American Indian. There are over 8,000 children in foster care in Oklahoma.

Chief Chad Smith of the Cherokee Nation will serve as the keynote speaker at the Capitol. Transportation for conference participants attending this event will be provided from the conference site to the Capitol.

To offset conference costs, a nominal registration fee of $25 will be charged. Registration fees will be waived for foster parents, foster children and students. For more information about the 2008 OICW Conference, visit www.oicwa.org.