OICWA is excited to announce the annual conference will be an in person event held at the Osage Casino Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 7th, 8th, and 9th!
 
The conference will include a three-day agenda and will be announced soon. Please stay tuned for important conference deadlines and information. 

Day One of the conference will host Tribal Consultations with the Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). DOI, DOJ, and HHS are committed to partnering on a nation to nation basis with Tribes to ensure the well-being of Tribal children and preservation of Tribal families. The consultation will seek input from Tribal Leaders and Tribal Child Welfare Program Staff to identify what steps federal agencies can take to promote federal protections for Indian children and their parents and caregivers. 

  

Day Two will include the traditional opening ceremony, keynote address, award presentations, ten (10) afternoon breakout training sessions and back by popular demand, the OICWA Game Night is returning as the evening entertainment, hosted by the comical Jerad Swimmer. The OICWA Membership Drive will be included for additional chances to win prizes.
 

The Keynote address will highlight Law Professor, Alex Pearl. Professor Pearl's work was cited by Justice Gorsuch in his concurring opinion in the Supreme Court's decision in Haaland v. Brackeen.

Day three will consist of (10) ten breakout sessions and a closing ceremony. Throughout the conference there will be cultural presentations, door prizes, and a silent auction. CEU, CLE, LPC, LMFT, CLEET, Foster Care and DHS Training Credit hours available.

OICWA will continue its conference tradition of delivering premiere training and providing invaluable networking opportunities. Attendees will gain increased knowledge of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Act, and current collaboration efforts with Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Court systems, and other key stakeholders.

Conference session topics will focus on five primary training tracts: Policy & Procedure, Behavioral Health, Legal, Culture, and Juvenile Justice/Foster Care/Adoptions.

Search our website for important announcements and deadlines for the following:

• Call for Workshops

• Call for Artist

• Sponsorship Application

• Conference Awards 

  • Tribal Court Judge of the Year​

  • Tribal Resource Family of the Year

  • Richard Poweshiek ICWA Advocate Award

• Exhibitor/Vendor Application

  • (Osage Tax Commission Vendor Packet Required)

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Stay tuned to the OICWA Website, Facebook, and Listserv for updates and announcements. For additional questions and information, please contact Te'Ata Loper, oicwa.gc@gmail.com.

We are honored by your presence and encouraged by your participation. On behalf of the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association and Conference Planning Committee, we thank you for your attendance and continued support of OICWA!

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