Indian Child Welfare Act-Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act

MILS will provide legal assistance to individuals and organizations on matters which will assist in the prevention of the breakup of Native American families or in other matters where MILS representation would serve the underlying purposes of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA) using the ICWA. MILS will provide education to individuals, families, tribes, attorneys, judges, social workers and others about the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act.

• MILS represents parents and sometimes serves as the guardian ad litem for children in child welfare cases in the tribal court in Michigan. 

• We also represent parents in ICWA-MIFPA appellate cases in the Michigan court system. 

• We have provided representation to parents in ICWA & MIFPA cases if the state court refuses to appoint counsel. 

• We have also helped family members serve to be the placement or adoptive home for children in foster care. 

• We have served as amicus attorneys for the Indian Law Section for the State Bar of Michigan in several key ICWA appellate cases.