Native Americans

 

New Indian Child Welfare Guidelines for
Tribes, States, Courts, and Agencies

 

A major development in tribal child welfare policy was announced on February 25, 2015. The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced that it had revised –– and made effective immediately –– the Guidelines for State Courts and Agencies in Indian Child Welfare Custody Proceedings. This is the first update in the guidelines since their initial release in 1979.

 

NICWA hosted a free webinar on Friday, March 13 to explain the revisions. Once available on line, we strongly urge our constiutents to listen to the full webinar for the new guidelines and greater understanding of the values and importance behind them. Watch for an alert to announce its availablility.

 

Access the new Guidelines here.

 

Access the Guide to Compliance with ICWA here. 
 

Tribal Membership

Being an enrolled member of a Native American Tribe may be of benefit to you.  If you have Native American relatives, you may be eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe.  You will need to contact the particular tribe and request enrollment information.  A tribal directory containing contact information can be found at www.indians.org or, in Iowayou can contact the ICWA Consultant at Meskwaki Family Services at 1-877-484-4448.

National Resource Center for Tribes
323-650-5467 | www.nrc4tribes.org

 

DAR American Indian Scholarship 

The American Indians Committee of the DAR awards this scholarship to Native Americans and is intended to help Native American students of any age, any tribe and in any state striving to get an education. All awards are judged based on financial need and academic achievement.

This scholarship is intended to help Native American college/university and technical school students of any age, any tribe, in any state at the undergraduate or graduate level. Graduate students are eligible; however, undergraduate students are given preference.

Applicants must be Native Americans (proof of American Indian blood is required by letter or proof papers) in financial need and have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher. There will be no exceptions.

This is a one-time $1,000 award.

To apply: Download the American Indian Scholarship Application and submit application to the address above.

Frances Crawford Marvin American Indian Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded once a year to one student. A candidate for this scholarship must be enrolled full time at a 2- or 4- year college or university.

Applicants must be Native Americans and proof of American Indian blood is required by letter or proof papers. Students must demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. A recipient may reapply for this scholarship and be considered along with other members of the applicant pool.

Carole Anne Heart Memorial Scholarship

The Northern Plains Native American Research Center for Health (NARCH) Program is administered by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board (GPTCHB).  GPTCHB is a tribal non-profit organization that provides advocacy, education, research, training, and technical assistance to improve the health of Northern Plains American Indians.

The Northern Plains NARCH Program is part of a national initiative jointly established by the Indian Health Service and National Institutes of Health.  Through NARCH, American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes or tribally-based organizations form partnerships with academic institutions to conduct intensive biomedical and behavioral research on existing and persistent AI/AN health problems.  A major goal of the NARCH initiative is to increase the number and capacity of AI/AN professionals in the health field.

In addition to the scholarship program, the Northern Plains NARCH currently administers research projects in collaboration with Northern Plains tribes.

Scholarship Overview:

The purpose of this scholarship is to help American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students in the Northern Plains pursuing an education in the health field.  This scholarship is intended for students seeking a degree in a health-related area or for individuals currently working in tribal health and pursuing general education.

Eligibility and Review Criteria:

• Applicants must be enrolled members in a federally-recognized tribe.  Priority will be given to members of tribes­ in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa.

• Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program and must be registered in a minimum of two courses (typically 6 credits) in Fall 2012.

• Priority will be given to students enrolled in a health-related field and /or demonstrate interest in health research.

• Priority will be given to graduate students, undergraduate, upper classmen, and students that have demonstrated commitment to their program of study.

• For undergraduates: While we do not stipulate a minimum GPA, those with less than a 3.0 GPA should address their academic performance in the Personal Statement.

Application Deadline: Applications must be received by July 27, 2012.

New applicants, as well as those that received a Northern Plains NARCH scholarship in the past, are encouraged to apply.  See Application Form for specific instructions.

Application Requirements:

• Fall 2012 Application Form (download application here or contact Lakey Heesacker at lakey.heesacker@gptchb.org)

• Copy of tribal ID or proof of enrollment (not required for past recipients)

• Copy of transcript(s) (unofficial transcripts accepted); documentation must include registered courses for Fall 2012

• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

• Personal Statement (500 word maximum)

Scholarship information:

Scholarships in the amount of $500-$1000, depending on academic level will be awarded to approximately 40 applicants in Fall 2012.  Award notifications will be made in August 2012.  The scholarship may be applied to tuition, books, and living expenses.  Funds will be provided directly to the students.  Recipients are responsible for any applicable tax.

Applications should be mailed to:

Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board

Attn: Staci Lacroix, Administrative Coordinator

1770 Rand Road, Rapid City, SD 57702

Contact Information:

For questions, including eligibility and application requirements, please contact:

Lakey Heesacker

Program Coordinator

(605) 721-1922, ext. 120

lakey.heesacker@gptchb.org