KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
Diana Sanders and Roblyn Austin, ICWA Monitoring Social Workers, and Abigail Waaraniemi, Lead Social Worker, are three of the dedicated social workers on the Family Services team at the Mille Lacs Band’s Urban Office. Being a social worker in the foster care system is one of the most challenging and emotionally demanding jobs there is. These professionals step into people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments — when families are in crisis, when children are scared and confused, and when the systems meant to help are often overwhelmed.
The job demands a deep well of compassion, thick skin, and a fierce commitment to justice. It’s not just a career — it’s a calling. And while much of their work goes unseen, the impact they have on children and families is immeasurable. Waaraniemi explained that there are two types of cases they work with:
1. Primary cases – where Band social workers have custody of the children within the Band’s jurisdiction on the Reservation and act as the primary workers.
2. Monitoring cases – which involve children who are Band members or descendants but live outside the Reserva tion. In these cases, the Band does not have jurisdiction, but the role of the social worker is to ensure that the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is being followed. “This is a lot of advocacy work and is different from being the primary social worker,” Waaraniemi said.
As one of the monitoring social workers, Sanders, who holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services and a Bachelor’s in Human Resources, works with surrounding counties and even some out-of-state cases involving Mille Lacs Band members. Families have the option to petition to bring their cases into Tribal Court.
Currently, there are two monitoring social workers man aging between 35 and 40 ICWA cases in the Urban Office. Sanders is one, and Roblyn Austin is the second (Austin was unavailable for comment at the time of this interview). Two ICWA Family Support Case Aides, Dawne Stewart and Jacque line Redearth, also serve the Urban Office. They support the social workers by helping with documentation, keeping case files current, and offering assistance to Band members in the Urban area—whether that’s through supervised visitations, cultural support, or transportation services.
Maria Anderson is the Foster Care Supervisor who serves not only in the Urban area but also in all Districts. “When Diana and I started, there were only two social workers in the Urban Office,” Waaraniemi recalled. “We’ve seen it grow into a stronger, more supportive team that is more available for families. Over the last six years, we’ve steadily built a team that offers more consistent support for Band members.”
Waaraniemi said she’s also noticed more family members coming into the office, whether to ask questions about their cases or to sign up for Aanjibinaadizing programs. That in creased connection, she said, speaks to the growing trust be tween families and staff.
Sanders shared that one of the most rewarding parts of her job is working closely with social workers and guardians, getting to know the children, and ensuring they are cared for in safe homes while moving toward reunification. “We want the kids to be back with mom and dad as soon as possible,” she said.
Waaraniemi emphasized the importance of Sanders’ role in making sure families aren't pressured into terminating their parental rights. “Sometimes counties try to do that,” she said. “The Band doesn’t ever support that.” She recalled a recent case where a county court was planning to terminate a family’s rights involving seven children, with the intention of placing them in separate homes. Sanders stepped in and advocated for the case to be transferred to Tribal Court, where the timeline is more flexible and the priority remains on family reunification. Thanks to her persistence, the family remained intact and was eventually reunified.
Waaraniemi said both Sanders and Austin are invaluable to the Family Services Department. “They have an amazing ability to connect with families and advocate for them with positive results,” she said. “They really go above and beyond. They put their whole heart into it, and it shows.”
Ensuring that family rights are protected and that children stay connected to their relatives from the beginning of a case through to reunification is the ultimate goal.
Social workers carry the heavy responsibility of making decisions that shape the course of a child’s life. They must assess safety, navigate complex family dynamics, and advocate for the child’s best interests — sometimes all in a single day. They are often the ones who sit with children during emergency removals, who listen to parents in crisis, and who hold on to hope when it feels like there’s very little left. It’s work that takes an emotional toll. But every day, they return intending to keep children safe and help families heal. “It is a good feeling, and the ultimate goal, to see children reunify with their families,” Waaraniemi said.