FILED: November 21, 2001
In the Matter of the Marriage of
JOHN KEVIN COLLINS,
Respondent,
and
DEBORAH MAE COLLINS,
Respondent,
and
THE PONCA TRIBE OF NEBRASKA,
a federally recognized Indian Tribe,
Appellant,
and
JAMES SMITH
and MARY ANN SMITH,
Respondents.
In the Matter of the Marriage of
PAUL THOMAS ELMER,
Respondent,
and
DEBBIE MAE ELMER,
Respondent Below,
and
JOHN KEVIN COLLINS,
Intervenor Below.
Appeal from Circuit Court, Umatilla County.
Robert J. Huckleberry, Judge.
Argued and submitted November 1, 2001.
Brett Kenney argued the cause for appellant. With him on the briefs was Native American Program Oregon Legal Services.
Michael B. Collins filed the brief for respondent John Kevin Collins. With him on the brief was Collins & Collins.
No appearance for respondents Deborah Mae Collins, James Smith, Mary Ann Smith, and Paul Thomas Elmer.
Before Landau, Presiding Judge, and Brewer and Schuman, Judges.
LANDAU, P. J.
Affirmed.
LANDAU, P. J.
At issue in this dissolution case is whether the trial court erred in awarding custody of a minor child to her stepfather. The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska (Tribe) intervened in the consolidated proceedings below, arguing that the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC