Efforts to overturn the federal Indian Child Welfare Act might not be entirely successful because of state-based laws that impose similar requirements in at least nine states, including Oklahoma.
Cherokee Nation Deputy Attorney General Chrissi Nimmo said state ICWA statutes can further protect Indigenous children and their families if ICWA is ruled unconstitutional.
“I think you will see tribes starting to put more effort … to strengthen state ICWA laws as a way to protect Indian kids, their fam...