ICWA Overview – The Federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was passed in

ICWA Overview – The Federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was passed in 1978, granting Native American tribes exclusive jurisdiction in child welfare cases involving Native American children, referred to in the Act as an Indian Child. This Act ensures that the heritage of Native American children will be recognized, protected, and monitored in and out of state. ICWA provides for the Indian Tribal Council to have priority jurisdiction in the matter of custody and guardianship in the case of any child of Native American heritage. The tribal lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are found in eight counties in Mississippi: Neshoba, Attala, Jones, Kemper, Leake, Newton, Scott, and Winston.