Transcript Document
Weaving Good Relations Working Together To Strengthen Agency Collaboration January 8, 2010 Offered Jointly By: Humboldt State University, Northern California Training Academy UC Davis Extension Funded by California Department of Social Services Stepping onto the Path * Understanding The Past * Valuing The Present * Creating The Vision Connecting Connecting Where did we come from? Where are we going? Where did we come from? Where are we going? Connecting What are our challenges? Where did we from? How do we increase ourcome awareness and potential to increase outcomes? Where are we going? What are our values? Traditional Indian Values vs. Values Clan/communal emphasis Sharing Present-time orientation Spiritualistic Time non-awareness Harmony with nature Passive Giving/spending Appreciates/honors silence Respect of other religions All American Mainstream Values Individual Emphasis Winning Future Orientation Materialistic Time awareness Conquest of nature Aggressive Acquiring/saving Avoids silence Converting/proselytizing (Source: The Indian Child Welfare Act, Handbook by Rose-Margaret Orrantia; Cultural Awareness; the Indian Perspective, Marilyn Robinson). Tribal Values? University Values? County Values? Community Values? Family Values? In these systems, who is the expert? What is our history? What Events Have Shaped Our Current Cross-Cultural Relations With Native Communities? The Apology Remarks of Kevin Gover, Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs Department of the Interior at the Ceremony Acknowledging the 175th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs September 8, 2000 What are our contributions? What are our successes? Examples of collaborative successes: Riverside Court-County-Tribal Alliance Native American Justice Project Tribal STAR This Conference HSU American Indian Programs Tribal STAR is a result of a partnership between the SDSU School of Social Work, Academy for Professional Excellence and: •Southern Indian Health Council •SD HHSA Indian Specialty Unit •Indian Health Council •Santa Ysabel Band of Digueno Indians •SD HHSA Independent Living Unit •YMCA YFS •South Bay Community Services •San Diego Youth & Community Services •Intertribal Court of Southern California, Southern CA Tribal Chairmen’s Association •County of San Bernardino Childrens Services •County of Orange SSA •Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians •Casey Family Programs Following the Spirit of ICWA On Nov 17, 2009 the American Indian Caucus of the State ICWA Workgroup had a discussion about the benefits of applying ICWA to children who may not be from or be eligible to enroll into a federal- or state- recognized tribe. Background: Gold was discovered in Coloma, CA in 1848. In 1928 a census was conducted to determine the number of American Indians in California, resulting in the establishment of the 1933 California Indian Rolls (also referred to as the California Judgment Rolls). The purpose of the census and the rolls was to determine how many Indians there were in CA who had families that were alive in 1851-1852, when 18 treaties were signed by the original Californians. Between 1953-1964 the US Congress terminated federal recognition status of 109 tribes, which exemplifies what is known as the “Termination Era” of the 1940’s – 1960’s. As a result there are many California Indian tribes that are neither federal- nor state- recognized and the descendants of these tribes may have at one time been federally recognized. There are many tribes that were never recognized but are applying for federal recognition today. Today there are individuals with documents that show their family name on the California Roll of 1933, with a notarization from the BIA, however these individuals may not be members of nor eligible to enroll in a federally recognized tribe of California. Reasons For Implementing ICWA to Children From Tribes That Are Neither Federal or State Recognized: Treating these children as ICWA cases can open access to a wider range of services: e.g. Tribal TANF does not require enrollment, some tribal health centers do not require enrollment, and Title VII Indian Education programs would also be available. ICWA determination is an opportunity for county workers to access more services than before. SB 678, approved by CA legislature puts into law ensuring ICWA, leaving determination of services to individuals of non-recognized tribes to the presiding judge of the jurisdiction. Although individuals may not be enrolled, they may still be part of a larger Indian community, which can serve as a strength of resources and enhance resilience factors for the youth. Culturally centered practice, provided as early as possible, will result in more longlasting positive outcomes for tribal youth – maintaining and linking them to cultural resources that support their development as healthy self-reliant adults, and reducing the number of times this individual will enter public systems. Ultimately, culturally centered practice at the front end to American Indian children, regardless of their tribe's recognition statues, reduces the public burden of cost, over time. Collaboration Coordination Cooperation Commitment to common mission Understanding of compatible mission Mutual goals and plans Well-defined communication channels operating on many different levels Resources contributed and pooled or jointly secured Some planning and division of roles Communication channels established Individual interpretations of mission Informal structure Resources available Information shared as needed Limited or no resources (Jones, et al., 1999). Tools to consider: Mediation as conscious process. Position vs Interest Neutral Reframe Tips for Following Protocol Disproportionality Program Logic Model Timing is everything. Re-Center around the consumer, focus on an outcome. What are our concerns? What are our strengths? Cornerstones Have direction and keep moving. Respond to community needs. Elevate partnership strengths, successes, and leverage PR for sustainability. Hold the family together. Know who you are Where you are from You don’t know where you are going Until you know where you come from Connecting Tribal STAR, SDSU School of Social Work Academy for Professional Excellence, Pacific Mountain Philanthropy [email protected] 760-774-4782