Oregon DHS v. Three Affiliated tribes (MHA Nation): ICWA Case in Oregon Court of Appeals

Here.

An excerpt:

The Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation (the tribes) appeal a judgment in which the trial court concluded that “good cause” under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) existed to designate the adoptive placement for two Indian children as the home of their current foster parents rather than the home designated by the tribes. On appeal, the legal issue is whether “good cause” exists to depart from ICWA’s placement preferences. 25 USC § 1915(a). As we will explain, we are bound by the trial court’s findings of fact if there is any evidence in the record to support them, but independently assess whether those findings are sufficient to support the trial court’s legal conclusion that “good cause” exists under the circumstances of this case. Applying that standard, we affirm