Download State/County/Tribal Partnerships

State/County/Tribal
Partnerships
Terri Yellowhammer
MCWIC Tribal Gathering
August 2009
Necessary Relationships
 Federal/State
grants
 Indian Child Welfare Act cases in District
Court
 State/County financial responsibility for
children under tribal court order (in tribal
court)
 Tribal participation in State/County
decision making
Issues
 Communication
styles vary
 Different expectations around
communication
 Assumptions
 ICWA seen as discriminatory by some
 Lack of knowledge re: sovereignty
 Fear/resentment
 Both sides dig in
Remedies?
 Memorandum
of
Understanding/Agreement
 Tribal/State Agreements on enforcement
of ICWA,
 State ICWA laws, training
 Regular staffings
 Collaborative meetings between county
and tribal entities
 Mediation
Remedies,continued
 Team
approach
 Important to produce an end
product/protocol/agreement
 Even with this, problems/attitudes may
linger
 Important to see big picture w/re to
relationships
Child and Family Service Reviews
 Stakeholder
meetings
 Follow up by asking for report
 Can be time to suggest ways to
collaborate
Examples of being stuck
 County
non payment for children under
tribal court order for MN tribe
 Media involved; misrepresentation of
dollar amount for tribal children in care
 Involved Attorney General’s Office, threat
of lawsuit
 Both sides dug in
 Took extraordinary measures to address
How to resolve?
 Agreed
on meeting location
 Shared a meal
 Everyone had a chance to speak
 Value in venting – but in moderation
 Need to take the reins
 Important to stay on track
 ‘eyes on the prize’
Resolution?
 What
is our common ground?
 What do we care about, as service
providers?
 Our
love for our children
Questions?
 Terri
Yellowhammer
 [email protected]
 (612) 889-7922
 Mii
gwetch/Pilamayayeye !