Wawokiye member, Celeste Kimimila, has been deeply involved in the development, strategy, and ongoing support of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Research Project at Metropolitan State University of Denver, under the supervision of Principle Investigator Dr. Kathryn Trujillo, Professor of Social Work.
Celeste began her involvement in 2022 as a student research assistant and, following graduation, continued to support the project in a voluntary capacity. Over time, her role on the team has evolved into a relationship with Wawokiye and the research program to include ongoing writing contributions, research support, and periodic media and video production.
The direction of this research was significantly shaped after the student-led research team attended the 2023 National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) Conference in Reno, Nevada. Through conference sessions and trainings, the team responded to NICWA’s call to action: to improve outcomes within state child welfare systems by strengthening relationships between tribal and state governments and advancing informed tribal advocacy.
This work recognizes the essential role that academic institutions play in preparing future social work professionals. The research identified a shared responsibility to better educate and empower students entering the field; particularly in understanding federal trust obligations and the foundational role of ICWA.
Findings from this research have shown that many social work students are unfamiliar with ICWA as a federal trust responsibility and unaware that ICWA represents the gold standard of child welfare practice. In response, the program is working toward the development of curriculum that extends beyond elective coursework, positioning ICWA as a core component of social work education.
There is significant work ahead, and Wawokiye is honored to support and contribute to this ongoing research in service to Indigenous families, communities, and the Colorado Child Welfare Scholars Consortium.