During the 23rd Annual ND Indian Child Welfare and Wellness Conference, hosted by the Native American Training Institute, Judicial Referee Dan Gast was honored as the runner-up for the 2024 ICWA Champion Award. The ND ICWA Champion Award recognizes individuals who exceed expectations in serving Native American children and families.
The Indian Child Welfare Act mandates additional attention to services provided to Native American families, requiring compassion and diligence. Proper understanding and application of this law are crucial for the health and safety of Tribal families. While all families deserve empathy and attentive work, Tribal communities often lack resources to serve their members fully. Therefore, dedicated service to Tribal families is highly valued.
The Native American Training Institute, representing North Dakota's four Tribes, honors those who provide exceptional service to Native American children and families within the child welfare system. Below is an excerpt from a nomination letter received by NATI that highlights Judicial Referee Daniel Gast's commitment to best practices in child welfare and ICWA law:
“I would like to share with the committee why my nominee is deserving of this award. I have witnessed acts of empathy, generosity, leniency, strong advocacy, upholding the Law and the Spirit of the Indian Child Welfare Act, along with observing Judicial Referee Daniel Gast ensuring all agencies involved are providing cultural and meaningful services needed to lead to positive change for the long-term to the families. During one of my cases, I was about to give my qualified expert witness testimony when one of the parents showed up late for the Termination of Parental Right Status Conference court hearing. Judicial Referee Daniel Gast allowed the parent to join the court hearing, vacated the motions of placing both parents in default even though the other parent wasn’t present, and granted the request for continuance of this court hearing to be scheduled for another day allowing for both parents' presence at future hearings."
The letter continues: "Judicial Referee Daniel Gast encouraged the parent present to keep completing services and for both parents to be on time and present at future hearings so they can retain their parental rights. He urged them to stay in touch with their lawyers so their voices could be heard at future proceedings. I never witnessed such advocacy and compassion from a judicial referee before; it was a touching experience that gives me hope in our justice system again.”
At left: Judicial Referee Dan Gast at the North Dakota Indian Child Welfare and Wellness Conference.