Working with Indian Children ■■■

There are more than 550 federally recognized Indian tribes in the United States, over 100 of whom are in California. Indeed, California has one of the largest populations of Indians in the country.

Tips for advocates:

• Always ask about Indian heritage

• Understand history

• Be culturally sensitive

• Remember that there are laws that exist to provide additional rights and protections – you can help to make sure that these rights of the child and the Tribe are being respected

resources about Indian History & culture ■■■

    California Native American Heritage Commission:
    http://ceres.ca.gov/nahc/default.html
    (information on culture, languages, and populations of Native Americans in       
    California, including a map of Tribes - http://ceres.ca.gov/nahc/lanuage.html, and
    a short overview of California Native American history-
    http://ceres.ca.gov/nahc/califindian.html)

child welfare laws and policies ■■■

     California Indian Legal Services:
     http://www.calindian.org
     (Indian-controlled law firm that provides free or low-cost representation and  
     advocates for the rights of Native Americans and Indian Tribes). Their website
     includes:

• ICWA Bench guide: http://www.calindian.org/icwa.htm

     Recent changes to California laws that affect Indian children and youth in foster 
     care: http://www.calindian.org/groundhog.spring2007.htm

     National Indian Child Welfare Association:
     http://www.nicwa.org/

 
     Tribal CASA programs and information:
 

     National CASA Resources:

     National Tribal Justice and Resource Center:
     http://www.tribalresourcecenter.org/courts/details.asp?37

community resources and other information ■■■

     American Indian Child Resource Center:
     http://www.aicrc.org/index2.html
     (a nonprofit social service and education agency serving urban Indian children
     and their families in 10 Bay Area counties)

     Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country:
     http://www.naclubs.org/

     Indian Health Services:
     http://www.ihs.gov/index.asp
     (the federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services  
     responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska
     Natives)

     American Indian Education Fund:
     http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=aief_index
     (including scholarships, grants and emergency funds to support higher
     education for Native American students attending college