THE FIGHT TO KEEP NATIVE KIDS CONNECTED

In 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the case Brackeen v. Haaland. This case sought to declare the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) unconstitutional, posing a major threat to Tribal sovereignty and the welfare of Native children, families, and Tribal Nations. ICWA is a federal Indian law that was passed in 1978 as a direct response to the crisis of forced removal of Native children by the U.S. government. To this day, ICWA keeps Native kids connected to their families, communities, and cultures and is considered the gold standard in child welfare policy.
In partnership with the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), other Native-led organizations, and attorneys, IllumiNative organized a targeted media and digital advocacy campaign to mobilize audiences to protect Native children and communities, and Tribal Nations’ right to self govern.

Gregg Deal (Pyramid Lake Paiute)

Gregg Deal (Pyramid Lake Paiute)

COLLABORATING FOR IMPACT

We worked closely with Native artists and celebrities to create engaging assets that inspired action, including a PSA-style video featuring Devery Jacobs (Mohawk), Sarah Podemski (Anishinaabe, Ashkenazi), and Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota) and digital art by Gregg Deal (Pyramid Lake Paiute). More than 2.4 million people were reached through earned media and digital efforts. On June 15, 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of ICWA—a monumental win for Indian Country.

RESOURCES

NATIONAL INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ASSOCIATION

Get involved with NICWA, which works to eliminate Native child abuse and neglect by strengthening families, Tribes and the laws that protect them.