[Fall Forum] Indigenous Kids in Foster and Adoptive Placements

Description

(November 2025) 

Join renowned scholar and educator Anton Treuer for an in-depth training event, “Indigenous Kids in Foster and Adoptive Placements: From the Indian Child Welfare Act to Best Practices for Helping Native Kids Know Themselves”. This session is designed for foster and adopting families and professionals and community members seeking a comprehensive understanding of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), its historical context, and its ongoing significance in child welfare practice and best practices for those helping Native kids thrive.

Anton Treuer will guide participants through the origins of ICWA, examining the historical child welfare practices that led to its passage and the impact these practices had on Native American families and communities. The training will cover the foundational principles of ICWA, including its legal framework, jurisdictional provisions, and the critical role it plays in protecting the rights of Native children, families, and tribes.

Key Topics:
•    The historical context and necessity of the Indian Child Welfare Act
•    Key provisions and requirements of ICWA
•    The law’s impact on current child welfare practices
•    Challenges and updates facing ICWA today
•    The future of ICWA and its role in supporting tribal sovereignty and family preservation

Anton Treuer (pronounced troy-er) is Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and author of many books. He has a B.A. from Princeton University and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Treuer is a member of the governing boards for the Minnesota State Historical Society and Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute and has received many prestigious awards and fellowships. [READMORE] In 2018, he was named Guardian of Culture and Lifeways by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums. He is building an Ojibwe teacher training program at Bemidji State University and his equity, education, and cultural work has put him on a path of service around the nation and the world.

Watch time:  93 minutes

Eligible Certificate of Completion time: 90 minutes