DESIGNATING JUNE 15, 2024, TO
HONOR INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT DAY
WHEREAS, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was enacted by Congress in 1978 to address the crisis affecting American Indian and Alaska Native children, families, and tribes due to the high number of children being removed from their homes and placed in non-Indian foster or adoptive homes, often far away from their communities and culture; and
WHEREAS, ICWA recognizes the inherent sovereignty of Indian tribes to determine the best interests of their children, aiming to keep Indian children connected with their families, communities, and cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, ICWA establishes minimum federal standards for the removal and placement of Indian children and affirms the importance of tribal authority in child welfare matters, ensuring that Indian children are placed in homes that reflect the unique values and traditions of their culture; and
WHEREAS, the continued implementation and enforcement of ICWA are vital to the preservation of Indian tribes and the well-being of Indian children, providing them with a sense of identity and belonging that is essential for their development and success; and
WHEREAS, the area known as Lake County has been developed upon the ancestral homelands of Indigenous peoples who have continuously inhabited, utilized, and stewarded the land since time immemorial and is also the home to 7 Federally recognized tribes: Big Valley of Pomo Indians Elem Indian Colony, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Koi Nation of Northern California, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California, Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians, and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians; and
WHEREAS, we recognize and honor the resilience and strength of Indian tribes, families, and children, and commit to supporting the principles and practices established by ICWA; and
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2023 in the case of Haaland vs Brackeen, the United States Supreme Court decided to uphold and reaffirm the importance of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) by a vote of 7-2 where Justice Neil Gorusch stated “In adopting the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Congress exercised that lawful authority to secure the right of Indian Parents to raise their families as they please; the right of Indian children to grow in their culture; and the right of Indian Communities to resist fading into the twilight of History.”; and
WHEREAS, June 15, 2024, provides an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the Indian Child Welfare Act, to raise awareness about its importance, and to celebrate the progress made in protecting the rights and cultures of Indian children.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Lake, hereby designates June 15, 2024, as a day to honor the Indian Child Welfare Act and encourage all citizens to learn about and support the principles of the Indian Child Welfare Act, recognizing its significance in safeguarding the future of Indian children and their communities.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of June 2024.