Lieutenant Governor Deidre M. Henderson Applauds Supreme Court Decision to Uphold ICWA Utah Lieutenant Governor

Tags: Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Native American

Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson made this statement following Thursday’s Supreme Court decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA):

Today’s US Supreme Court decision upholds the invaluable value of Native American children to tribal nations in Utah and across the country.

SCOTUS voted 7-2 to uphold the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, which rightfully sought to keep Native American families and children whole. The state of Utah has always supported the ICWA and has filed an amicus brief in its defense with 25 other states.

In his endorsement, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch summed up the importance of the ICWA, saying it « ensures[s] the right of Indian parents to bring up their families as they please; the right of Indian children to grow up in their culture; and the right of Indian communities to resist fading in the twilight of history.

Utah will continue to defend the sovereignty of the eight federally recognized tribes within its borders and the sovereign rights of their future generations.