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Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina

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Tribe joins amicus brief in support of Indian Child Welfare Act

September 16, 2022

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe has joined with other Tribes and Tribal Organizations around the country in an amicus brief in support of the Indian Child Welfare Act and the law’s focus on the best interests of American Indian and Alaska Native children.

The brief was filed with the United States Supreme Court on Aug. 19 in the case of Haaland v. Brackeen on behalf of 497 Tribes and 62 Tribal and Native Organizations.

“It’s critical for the Tribal Court. It’s critical for the Tribe. The case involves our sovereignty and the protection of our children and families,” Tribal Council Vice Chair Mary Ann Mills said. “If this case is lost, it could affect the sovereignty of tribal nations.”

According to the Native American Rights Fund, it is likely the most Tribal signatories to have ever joined together on a single Supreme Court brief and highlights the united effort to protect American Indian and Alaska Native children and families, and tribal sovereignty.

The plaintiffs in the case are challenging requirements in the Indian Child Welfare Act that in any custody proceeding involving an “Indian child,” preference be given to placing the child with a member of the child’s extended family, other members of the child’s tribe, or with other Indian families, rather than with non-Indian adoptive parents. Plaintiffs also argue that the U.S. Congress exceeded its authority in enacting those preferences in the law.

Defendants in the lawsuit are the Cherokee Nation and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Defendants argue that Congress was well within its authority to enact the Indian Child Welfare Act, and that law supports tribal sovereignty, self-government, and the best interests of Alaska Native and American Indian children.

The amicus brief, in support of the defendants, argues that “Congress carefully crafted ICWA to protect the legal rights of Indian children and parents and to incorporate important jurisdictional and political interests of Tribes in decisions concerning the welfare and placement of their children.”

Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Nov. 9.

Filed Under: Stories

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Heidi King, NCAC II, CDCS

Recovery Support Manager/Counselor
Heidi has eight years of experience in the chemical dependency field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies, from the University of Alaska. She is a nationally accredited Chemical Dependency Clinician, and a state accredited Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor.

Heidi has a background in providing residential chemical dependency counseling. She is certified as a Conflict Resolution and Relapse Prevention Trainer with the National Association of Addiction Counselors. She is also a certified Peer Supports Trainer and Supervisor through the Alaska Commission of Behavioral Health Certification.

When she’s not serving un’ina, Heidi teaches yoga as a certified and registered instructor. She also enjoys hiking, fishing, and spending time with her child, spouse, and numerous pets, camping all over Alaska.

Heidi provides chemical dependency counseling services in group settings and individual sessions.

Heidi can personally relate to chemical dependency and is passionate about helping those seeking recovery supports. For Heidi, healing is community, and community is an important part of connection with one’s self. She sees the positive ripple effect that healing can provide throughout the community.

Fridrik Rafn Gudmundsson, MSW, LCSW

Recovery Support Manager
Fridrik has earned his master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He studied massage therapy in Iceland, and became fascinated with the mind-body connection. He completed his undergraduate degree in philosophy with a psychology minor.

Fridrik has had the opportunity to live in four countries and to travel to many others. He counts finding and marrying the love of his life and adopting his son among his greatest accomplishments. He is grateful to be able to live in this beautiful and sacred part of the world and to serve the Tribe and un’ina, “those who come to us.”

When he’s not serving un’ina, Fridrik loves spending time with his family, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, traveling, and having fun. He enjoys learning, listening to music, and taking time for spiritual practice.

Fridrik provides assessments and individual, family and group psychotherapy at Chuq’eya Qenq’a, Birch Tree House.

For Fridrik, coming to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe felt like coming home. The more he learned about the Tribe and its history, as well as the history of the Alaska Native people, the more he knew he had found a place to be of service.

Teresa A. Ford, MSW, LMSW

Behavioral Health Clinician
Teresa earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Limestone University in South Carolina, and her master’s degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University in Kentucky. Teresa’s experience includes serving homeless and other disadvantaged populations, as well as work in outpatient rehabilitation, hospice, chemical dependency, adult and adolescent counseling, and prevention.

Teresa appreciates the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s traditional values. She sees them as a driving force in how we treat ourselves and others, and how we serve those in need of help.

When not serving un’ina, “those who come to us,” Teresa spends her time bonding with her family, creating and traveling. She also enjoys learning about Alaska Native culture, exploring new hobbies, and gardening.

Teresa provides individual, family, and group therapy services. Teresa takes a variety of approaches to therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Teresa has always been a helper at heart. Being able to overcome the things she experienced growing up in South Carolina empowered and inspired her to help others navigate through their life journeys.