National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)

Mission

The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is dedicated to the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native children and families.

Bottom Line for Portland

Native children are removed from their families by the child welfare system four times more often than White children. NICWA trains Oregon tribal child welfare leaders on how to decolonize tribal child welfare services; optimize state, federal, and tribal funding; and advocate effectively for Native children and families who are in state child welfare systems. Together we can continue to protect Native families and keep them safe, healthy, and connected.

Quote

“I'm supporting NICWA because Indigenous children should remain with their tribes and should not be taken from their families." - Amy K.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Through our relentless advocacy for the rights of Native children, we dismantle the structural racism and discrimination that is embedded in “helping systems” by providing culturally based services and working to meet the unique needs of Native children and families.

NICWA is a Native-led, culturally based organization. Our board of directors is 100% Native. We have a diverse staff; 68% of our employees self-identify as a person of color, and 59% of our employees are Native. 80% of our management team are Native women.

Incentives

Donate $25 or more on Friday, November 1 for your chance to win club-level tickets to the Portland Trail Blazers' Native American Heritage Celebration Night game on November 10, 2024. Two winners will be randomly selected to win a pair of tickets and a free parking pass. 

The first 10 individuals to donate $10 or more on Tuesday, November 26 will receive a NICWA puzzle.

The first 20 individuals to donate on Tuesday, December 3 will receive a cedar paddle handcrafted by the students of Yvonne and Gary Peterson and decorated by NICWA staff and board members using our Native languages to say “thank you.” 

The first 10 individuals to donate on Saturday, December 28 will receive a handcrafted necklace, uniquely designed and gifted by NICWA's community development and research specialist, Dallas Archuleta.

Partner(s)

A big thank you to our nonprofit partner, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, our year-round business partner, Pavelcomm, and the amazing creators and artists for your support this Give!Guide season!