LUMMI NATION, Wash. – The Lummi Nation is among Washington state tribes praising a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upholds the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The 1978 law requires states to prioritize placing native children with their families or tribes.

It was passed to address the long history of native children being separated from their families and culture by adoption and other government agencies.

The Seattle Times reports a white evangelical couple from Texas challenged the law, saying it discriminates against native children and white families.

Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire echoed other tribes in a statement, saying the law allows their children to carry on their culture and that it is “essential to protecting our Lummi way of life.”