Our Services
Wówačhiŋye
At Yellow Robe Consulting, we are committed to upholding the spirit and letter of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) through expert guidance, culturally informed testimony, and hands-on support. With decades of experience in tribal child welfare systems, we partner with state agencies, attorneys, and tribal nations to ensure that Native children remain connected to their families, communities, and cultures. Our services are designed to bridge the gap between legal requirements and cultural realities — helping teams navigate ICWA with integrity, respect, and accountability.
At Yellow Robe Consulting, we provide expert witness testimony in compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), grounded in decades of professional experience and cultural knowledge. Our testimony assists courts in making informed decisions by offering insights into tribal child-rearing practices, the historical and ongoing impact of removal, and the long-term effects of placement outside of a child’s cultural context.
We work directly with attorneys, child welfare professionals, and tribal representatives to ensure that testimony meets federal standards for Qualified Expert Witnesses under ICWA. Our experts are trusted across South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Montana, and beyond for their ability to communicate complex cultural realities in a clear and respectful manner. Whether in-person or via remote proceedings, our goal is to advocate for the best interests of Native children through culturally accurate, legally sound, and case-specific testimony.
Qualified Expert Witness Testimony
Our team prepares affidavits that are thorough, accurate, and aligned with ICWA requirements. These written statements are often critical components of a court’s decision-making process. We ensure each affidavit clearly outlines the potential for serious emotional or physical harm to the child if returned to a parent or custodian, as well as whether the required “active efforts” were made to prevent the breakup of the family.
We base our affidavits on detailed court reports, case reviews, interviews, and cultural analysis. Each document is tailored not only to the facts of the case but also to the tribe’s specific customs, values, and expectations. The result is an affidavit that supports legal teams and social services with clarity, credibility, and cultural relevance — helping courts understand not just the legal but the human and cultural dimensions of each case.
ICWA Affidavit Preparation
Yellow Robe Consulting offers strategic guidance at every stage of an ICWA case — from investigation and removal to placement and permanency planning. Our consulting helps caseworkers, legal teams, and tribal stakeholders understand and meet ICWA requirements with a culturally informed lens.
We offer support with active efforts planning, placement preferences, tribal notification and coordination, and culturally appropriate services for families. We work collaboratively to build bridges between tribal and non-tribal systems, ensuring that Native children remain connected to their families, communities, and identities. Consulting can be offered as a one-time review or as ongoing case support throughout the legal process. Our aim is to help every agency and legal team not only comply with ICWA — but honor it.
ICWA Case Consulting
We provide professional training that equips child welfare professionals, attorneys, judges, and tribal staff with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate ICWA confidently and competently. Our workshops are customized to meet the needs of each audience — from foundational overviews to advanced scenario-based discussions.
Training topics include:
Overview of ICWA and its legal mandates
Defining and documenting active efforts
Qualified Expert Witness requirements
Understanding tribal placement preferences
Navigating state-tribal collaboration
Cultural sensitivity and historical trauma
Whether offered in person or virtually, our trainings are interactive, grounded in real-world casework, and designed to leave participants with practical strategies they can apply immediately. We believe that strengthening ICWA knowledge across systems leads to better outcomes for Native children and families.
ICWA Training and Education
Contact us
Wóuŋkiyakapi
If you’re seeking expert support in navigating the Indian Child Welfare Act, we’re here to help. Whether you need testimony, affidavits, case consultation, or training, Yellow Robe Consulting brings cultural insight and legal expertise to every case. Reach out today to discuss how we can support your team and the Native children and families you serve.