The U.S. Supreme Court decisively rejected what many legal observers considered the most serious challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act in the law’s 45-year history. The ruling is a relief for ICWA supporters, many of whom were fearful of a decision that could turn back or weaken the law that ensures Native foster children a home with Native guardians. We’ll get reaction and analysis from those who have been watching the legal fight closely.

You can get more context from Native America Calling on the Supreme Court’s decision here.

GUESTS

Dr. Sarah Kastelic (Alutiiq), director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association  

Derrick Beetso (Navajo Nation), director, College of Law, Indian Gaming, and Self-Governance, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, and former general counsel for the National Congress of American Indians

Hilary Tompkins (citizen of the Navajo Nation), partner with Hogan Lovells and former Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior

Erin Dougherty Lynch, Native American Rights Fund (NARF) Senior Staff Attorney and Managing Attorney of NARF’s Anchorage, Alaska, office

Beth Wright (Pueblo of Laguna), NARF staff attorney

Break 1 music: Victory (song) Red Hawk Medicine Drum (artist) New Beginnings (album)

Break 2 music: Bui yo oh wanina (song) Judy Trejo (artist) Circle Dance Songs of the Paiute and Shoshone (album)