| CHEYANNE WEIKLE (Descendent of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), Student, Washington State University 

This poster will examine a variety of areas such as Tribal belonging, Citizenship, Indigenous data and research, Indigenous data governance, Blood Quantum, ICWA as policy. I examine these areas within the U.S. and among Native American populations. I will explore the broad question of; What is an Indian Child? I begin by first critically examining the definition of an “Indian Child” at the federal and state level. Specifically, I explore how Washington state constitute and define an Indian Child today? After contextualizing the definition, I then consider how tribes assert tribal sovereignty to define the status of their children? These varying definitions of an Indian Child operationalize both an exclusive and distinct reality that impact both tribal citizens and descendants. Using my own personal case and records within Child Protective Services case, I will summarize my case findings using a textual analysis as well as previous literature. The intent of this poster is to identify the data challenges present within ICWA and the varying definitions of Indian Child still present today. I hope to start a conversation about the impact of the lack of inclusivity as it pertains to “what is an Indian Child?” In addition, this poster highlights the marginalization and disenfranchisement of Descendent Indigenous Children or even more menacingly the concept of completely stolen and lost children through child protective services that tribes continue to struggle with.