The Five Principles of ICWA Courts

Guest: Sheldon Spotted Elk (Northern Cheyenne) This podcast episode features Sheldon Spotted Elk (he/him). Sheldon is Senior Director of Judicial and National Engagement of Casey Family Programs. Sheldon is also a graduate of University of New Mexico School of Law. Sheldon Spotted Elk is an agent of change, improving legal outcomes for children and families involved in the child welfare system. He works regularly as a strategic partner with over twenty Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Courts. He and his two sons are Tsistsas (Northern Cheyenne). In this episode, Sheldon describes ICWA courts, their purpose, and how they impact tribal systems and families. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the five principles of ICWA Courts: judicial leadership; ICWA data collection; ICWA training (spirit and letter of law); tribal stakeholder collaboration; and gold standard lawyering and social work. The Children's Bureau, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, funds the Capacity Building Center for Tribes. The contents of this podcast and the resources herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Children's Bureau. Full transcript: https://bit.ly/4drvqIO