ICWA Blog
Hastings, Minnesota—
Dakota county, Minnesota ICWA Court officially kicked off their ICWA Court with a Tribal flag installation ceremony with all 12 Tribal nations’ flags in Minnesota and Tribal leaders dancing their flags on stage on June 23rd at Hastings High School near the courthouse. The Dakota county ICWA Court has been operating for many months, however this was an event to announce their intentions of organizing and partnering with Tribes to gain improved outcomes with Indian families.
The leadership of the Honorable Jamie Cork, First Judicial District of Minn (Dakota county ICWA Court) was recognized as a unifying force for this kick off event. She shard, “I am honored that the tribes have partnered with me. It has been a lot of their [Tribes] work that have gotten us where we are at. Our ICWA Court has been going great.”
The event was kicked off by flag songs by the Little Horse Singers drum group for the audience that was made up of Indian families, Indian advocates, Tribal leaders, the legal and social worker community and significant support by the Minnesota state judiciary, including Honorable Anne McKeig, Justice for the Minnesota Supreme Court serving as the emcee of the event.
There have been now 25 ICWA Courts throughout the country, some jurisdictions are currently inactive in their ICWA Court work.
Pictured from left to right: Judge Jamie Cork and Justice Anne McKeig
To see the full event: ICWA Court Opening | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
Press Release: https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/newsandannouncements/dakota-county-courts-celebrates-opening-of-icwa-court,-tribal-flag-ceremony