Protect Native Families

The Supreme Court today issued a landmark victory for tribal sovereignty by rejecting all the constitutional challenges to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Throughout history, federal and state governments have sought to undermine and threaten the existence of tribes through the forced separation and assimilation of Native children. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), passed by Congress in 1978, established basic requirements to protect Native American children from removal from their homes and communities by the government.

The Court’s decision recognizes the centuries-long history of Native child removal by the U.S. government and the overwhelming evidence that being removed from homes and disconnected from their culture, tradition, and identity is deeply harmful to Native children. But, the work is far from over. States still continue to remove Native children from their families and tribes at alarmingly high rates. Fourteen states already have ICWA laws on the books – but there are still many states to go. Please, join the ACLU in this fight to protect Native families: Send a message to your state legislature today and tell them to use their power to pass a state ICWA law.

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Your Message

Subject Protect Native Families

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was passed in 1978 to address the devastating and widespread practice of removing Native children from their homes, families, and tribes. I’m encouraged by the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold ICWA and am calling on you as your constituent to urge you to act swiftly to implement ICWA in our state. We have seen several other states enact ICWA laws with success in protecting Native families. Please take action today.

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ICWA’s protections are essential given the centuries long attempts to destroy Native communities through genocide, forced assimilation, and legalized kidnapping through the boarding school era. Please, use your legislative power to ensure our state carries ICWA’s protections forward. If you have already taken this important action, you have my utmost thanks.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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Protect Native Families

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