It looks like the state of Alaska won't be appealing a decision that supports Native villages on Indian Child Welfare Act matters.

In March, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that Native villages should be able to initiate child custody proceedings. The state has until June 2 to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case but there are no plans to do so.

"I know of no discussions under consideration suggesting that we're going to seek any further review, and I would know," Monica Jenicek, a senior assistant attorney general, told The Arctic Sounder.

Instead, the state is changing its policy manual to recognize Native authority in child care matters.

Get the Story:
State on track to officially recognize tribes' child-custody powers (The Arctic Sounder 5/5)

Alaska Supreme Court Decision:
Alaska v. Native Village of Tanana (March 4, 2011)

9th Circuit Decision:
Kaltag Tribal Council v. Jackson (August 28, 2009)

Related Stories:
ICWA ruling expected to spur tribal-state cooperation in Alaska (3/8)
Alaska Supreme Court supports Native villages in ICWA matters (3/7)
APRN: Supreme Court won't hear Alaska tribal adoption case (10/5)
No new Indian law cases in Supreme Court's latest docket sheet (9/28)
Turtle Talk: Supreme Court faces busy term with Indian law cases (9/27)
Obama administration supports tribe in ICWA case from Alaska (9/22)
Supreme Court asks for DOJ views on Alaska ICWA case (4/26)
Alaska Native ICWA case considered a petition to watch (4/20)
Alaska presses Supreme Court in tribal adoption case (3/11)