FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 15, 2023
Contact: Maria Dadgar
(602) 258-4822

THE INTER TRIBAL COUNCIL OF ARIZONA and INTER TRIBAL ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT ON HAALAND v. BRACKEEN

PHOENIX – The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA), and the Inter Tribal Association of Arizona (ITAA), two separate nonprofit organizations representing Tribal Nations in Arizona, released a joint statement adding their voice to the groundswell of support across Indian Country for the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was enacted in 1978 to protect the well-being and best interests of American Indian children and families. The Haaland v. Brackeen lawsuit was brought by Texas (and previously Indiana and Louisiana) and several individual plaintiffs, who alleged that ICWA was unconstitutional. The case worked its way through the lower courts and ultimately the US Supreme Court. Today, the US Supreme Court released their decision, which was to uphold ICWA.

“Since ICWA’s inception over 40 years ago, the goal has been to provide protection for the wellbeing of American Indian/Alaska Native children by giving preference to American Indian families for foster care and adoptive placement of American Indian children,” says Bernadine Burnette, President of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona and Regional Vice President of the Western Region of the National Congress of American Indians.

Studies have found that the Indian Child Welfare Act has had positive outcomes for American Indian children – including such factors as higher self-esteem and lower instances of substance abuse.

“Indian Country will continue to stand up for the rights of our children and families — we applaud today’s Supreme Court decision which affirms the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act and strengthens tribal sovereignty,” states Shan Lewis, Vice Chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe and President of the Inter Tribal Association of Arizona.

About the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona and the Inter Tribal Association of Arizona
These organizations were established in 1952 to provide a united voice for tribal governments located in the State of Arizona to address common issues of concerns. For more information, please call 602.258.4822.

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