About this site

Miskwaawak Ziibi is an independent publication launched in August 2026 by Kate Fort. This will mostly be about Indian Child Welfare Act related matters, but I interpret that very broadly, and might also include anything related to what I'm up to (see the About me below).

If you subscribe today, you'll get full access to the website as well as email newsletters about new content when it's available. If you don't subscribe, I think you still get full access to the website.

Despite its name, this site is in no way affiliated with Michigan State University College of Law. The writing on this site does not reflect the views of Michigan State University or the College of Law. Just me, having opinions I decide I'm ethically allowed to post about.

About me

First, I run the Indian Law Clinic at MSU College of Law. We represent tribes in Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) cases in state and federal courts, including the most recent Supreme Court case. This is the work I'm known for, as well as my writing and researching and presenting on ICWA. But the Clinic also provides significant legal clerking support to Tribal appellate courts all over the country, which means my secondary area of expertise has become Tribal court systems.

I also teach a podium class (on ICWA) and write law review articles. And read ICWA cases, and keep them catalogued in a spreadsheet. And keep a spreadsheet of ICWA state laws. And work with different groups around the country on ICWA related matters. You get the drift.

Second, I'm the current Director of the Law Clinic at MSU College of Law, which is confusing, because it means I am a double director. This just means I am in charge of the administrative aspects of our clinical law program.

Third, I am a consultant with The Whitener Group, a Native-owned company based in Olympia, Washington. I do a lot of work with Tribal Courts in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest in this role, as well as with state Court Improvement Programs.

Fourth, I am the Reporter for the Uniform Law Commission State Indian Child Welfare Act committee. While that role is technically concluding this October, I continue to spend a lot of time with the Act and hopefully assisting states and Tribes with enacting it.

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