M.  Adoptive Placements

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In the absence of good cause to the contrary, a preference shall be given to placement with:

25 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(i) 25 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(ii) 25 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(iii)

A member of the child’s extended family; Other members of the Indian child’s tribe; Other Indian families.

25 U.S.C. § 1903(2)

For foster care, pre-adoptive and adoptive placements, the tribe’s custom or law defines “an extended family member.” In the absence of such custom or law, an extended family member is a person who is the age of eighteen or older and who is the Indian’s child’s grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, first or second cousin, or stepparent.