ICWA Designated Tribal Agents

The regulations implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) provide that Indian Tribes may designate an agent other than the Tribal chairman for service of notice of proceedings under the Act. This notice includes the current list of designated Tribal agents for service of notice.

The South Dakota Legislature passed HB 1051 during the 2006 Legislative Session with the intent to improve the process of notifying tribes in cases subject to ICWA. 

Under SDCL § 26-7A-15.3, each tribe may designate an individual or agency to whom ICWA notices must be sent and to whom information regarding a temporary custody hearing should be provided. However, following intervention by a tribe, notices must be sent to the tribal representative or counsel who has appeared on behalf of the tribe pursuant to SDCL § 26-8A-33. 

In order to designate an agent, the tribe must submit a Designated Tribal Agent request form along with a copy of the provision of the tribal code or tribal resolution appointing the individual or agency as the designated agent for receipt of the notices.

In order to change the address, telephone number or facsimile number for a designated agent listed below, a Designated Tribal Agent - Request for Change of Address form must be submitted.

Effective July 1, 2006, state’s attorneys must send the notices required under ICWA and SDCL Chapter 26-7A to the individual or agency whose name and address are listed below.  

If a tribe has not designated an agent under SDCL § 26-7A-15.3, the notices should be sent in accordance with relevant federal regulations, 25 C.F.R. 23.12.

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

Agency: Indian Child Welfare Program Address: P.O. Box 590, Eagle Butte, SD 57625 Phone: 605.964.6460 Fax: 605.964.2196

Crow Creek Sioux Tribe

Name: Marlow Medicine Crow, Jr. Agency: Crow Creek Sioux Tribe / ICWA Program Address: P.O. Box 143,  Ft. Thompson, SD 57339 Phone: 605.245.2581 Fax: 605.245.2343

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Name: Jessica Morson Agency: ICWA Program Address: P.O. Box 283, Flandreau, SD 57028 Phone: 605.997.5055 Fax: 605.997.2225

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe

Name: Jera Brouse-Koster Agency: ICWA Program Address: 187 Oyate Circle, Lower Brule, SD  57548 Phone: 605.473.5561 Fax: 605.473.8051

Oglala Sioux Tribe

Agency: ICWA Program Address: P.O. Box 604, Pine Ridge, SD 57770 Phone: 605.867.5752 Fax: 605.867.5941

Rosebud Sioux Tribe

The Tribe has not yet provided a designated tribal agent under SDCL Chapter 26-7A, the notices should be sent in accordance with relevant federal regulations, 25 C.F.R.23.12.

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate

Name: Evelyn B. Pilcher Agency: SWO Child Protection Program Address: P.O. Box 509, Agency Village, SD 57262 Phone: 605.698.3992 Fax: 605.698.3999

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Name: Rebecca Grey Bull Agency: Indian Child Welfare Act Program Address: P.O. Box 770, Ft. Yates, ND 58538 Phone: 701.854.3095 Fax: 701.854.5575

Yankton Sioux Tribe

Name: Melissa Chrans Agency: Indian Child Welfare Program Address: P.O. Box 1153, Wagner, SD 57380 Phone: 605.384.5712 Fax: 605.384.5014