Do you know of an incredible leader, social worker, case manager or foster parent in your community who is doing awesome work for the children in the foster care system? If so, nominate them for National Indian Child Welfare Association’s (NICWA) highest honor, the Champion for Native Children Award.

This annual award honors an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the well-being of Indigenous children, families, and communities in the United States or Canada.

Awardee will be honored at NICWA’s hybrid 39th Annual Protecting Children Conference on Child Abuse in Seattle, Washington and virtually on April 11-14, 2021.

Nominees should be an individual or organization that has been an exceptional or emerging leader, social worker, case manager, or foster parent who has made significant contributions to the well-being of Indigenous children, families, and communities in the United States or Canada. Such contributions may consist of:

• Demonstrated excellence, creativity, and leadership affecting positive change in tribal child welfare, children’s mental health, or juvenile justice in tribal communities;
• Advocacy for tribal children, families, and communities;
• Development and/or promotion of programs and policies that support tribes, children, and families;
• Work for development of policy designed to protect Native children, enhance the well-being of Native children, or to strengthen the Indian Child Welfare Act;
• Work to obtain funding necessary to implement programs and policies supporting Indigenous children and families; or
• A significant body of work that spans several years up to lifelong service to promoting the well-being of Indigenous children and families and strengthening tribal sovereignty.

For more information, visit NICWA.