What are the preferred foster and adoptive placements?
The policy section of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), 1902, states that one of the primary purposes of the ICWA is to ensure the placement of Indian children in foster and adoptive homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian culture. Legislative history to 1915 states that the section seeks to protect the rights of the Indian child as an Indian and the rights of the Indian community and tribe in retaining its children in its society. H.R. REP. NO. 95-1386, at 23 (1978). Section 1915 reflects this purpose by establishing an order of preference for foster and adoptive placement of an Indian child. Section 1915(a) establishes the following order of preference for adoptive placement of an Indian child: (1) A member of the Indian childs extended family; (2) Other members of the Indian childs tribe; or (3) Other Indian families. Section 1915(b) establishes the following order of preference for foster care placement of an Indian child: (1) A member of the Indian childs extended
