STATEMENT OF TARA MAC LEAN SWEENEY ASSISTANT SECRETARY – INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ON THE BRACKEEN V. ZINKE DECISION

For nearly forty years, child advocacy organizations across the United States have considered the Indian Child Welfare Act to be the gold standard of child welfare policy. The Department of the Interior strongly opposes any diminishment of ICWA’s protections for Indian children, families, and tribes.

The Department will continue to work with tribes and states to implement ICWA moving forward. We reiterate our support for ICWA’s goals of ensuring the safety of Indian children, maintaining Indian families, and promoting tribal sovereignty.

Office of Public Affairs - Indian Affairs

Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs

U.S. Department of the Interior

1849 C St., N.W., MS-4004-MIB

Washington, D.C. 20240

Main Phone: 202-208-3710

Press Line: 202-219-4152

as-ia_opa@bia.gov