In the Matter of Candance A.

Summary

The court held that the superior court improperly excluded two proposed expert witnesses in an ICWA proceeding and therefore erred in ordering Candace returned to her parents. Expertise in Alaska Native culture was not required because the risks associated with sexual abuse and resulting emotional harm did not depend on cultural practices, and qualified social workers could satisfy the professional-expert guideline. The court reversed the expert-qualification rulings, vacated the placement order, and remanded for further proceedings.