[HISTORY: Adopted by the Legislature of the Menominee Indian
Tribe 10-15-2009 by Ord. No. 09-18. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Enrollment — See Ch. 69.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A register containing a compiled listing of individuals who
possess at least 1/16 or greater of Menominee blood.
An individual who lacks sufficient blood quantum to qualify
for inclusion on the official tribal roll, and who is a first- or
second-degree descendant of an enrolled Menominee tribal member, may
apply for inclusion on the Menominee Tribal Descendant Register. Any
application for inclusion may be submitted by the individual applicant.
With respect to minors, mental incompetents or other persons in need
of assistance, applications may be submitted by the individual applicant's
parent, next of kin, recognized guardian or other person responsible
for the care of the individual. In the case of a minor child, all
Menominee parents shall be notified of the application, except in
the case of adopted children where those adoption records are held
confidential.
The Committee shall provide a standard form to be completed
by applicants for inclusion in the descendant register. All applicants
shall use the prescribed form to apply for inclusion in the descendant
register.
All applicants for inclusion in the descendant register shall
pay a fee of $25 as an administrative processing fee. This fee may
be increased from time to time upon motion by the Menominee Tribal
Legislature.
The Committee shall advise each applicant, in writing, of the
disposition of his or her application for inclusion in the descendant
register. The Committee shall not deny an application for inclusion
without providing the applicant with a written explanation of why
inclusion was denied.
A.
The Committee shall advise the successful applicant, in writing,
as to its decision to recommend the addition of his/her name to the
descendant register.
B.
A copy of all documents entered into the record along with a finding
of facts and decision shall become part of a permanent file with the
enrollment office. If the successful applicant entered original records
and wishes to have them returned, the enrollment office shall make
copies and return the original records, noting in the file that the
original records were returned.
Individuals included in the descendant register do not possess
or receive the same rights as enrolled tribal members. Rights reserved
for enrolled tribal members are defined by the Menominee Tribal Constitution.
An individual placed on the descendant register may be eligible for
certain privileges as set forth by the Menominee Tribal Legislature.
In order to be eligible for any descendant privileges, an individual
must be placed on the descendant register through the procedure set
forth in this chapter.
No person who has relinquished his or her membership in the
Menominee Indian Tribe shall be eligible for inclusion in the Descendant
Register of the Menominee Indian Tribe for any purpose.
A person may be eligible for inclusion in the descendant register,
so long as that person has not relinquished enrollment in the Menominee
Indian Tribe.
The Committee shall have the authority to investigate suspected
errors in the descendant register, and where it deems appropriate
in view of the evidence, shall recommend changes in the register to
the Tribal Legislature.
The Committee shall conduct hearings pursuant to § 46-11 of this chapter. The burden of proof shall be on the applicant to show by clear and convincing evidence that he or she possesses the requisite amount of Menominee tribal blood to be placed on the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Descendant Register.
A.
Powers of the Committee to conduct an investigation. The Committee
shall have the following powers in conducting their investigations:
(1)
The authority and power to subpoena witnesses;
(2)
The authority and power to subpoena documents;
(3)
The authority and power to compel testimony of witnesses;
(4)
The authority and power to administer oaths;
(5)
The power and authority to enforce its powers through a finding of
contempt; and
(6)
Other powers that are reasonable, necessary and typical of such an
investigative committee carrying out their constitutional mandates.
B.
Notice of investigation and/or hearing. The Committee shall give
notice of an investigation and/or hearing to persons whom the Committee
believes have a bona fide interest in such investigation and/or hearing.
The notice shall inform persons as to the general nature of the investigation
and/or hearing and advise them as to the manner and time in which
comments or evidence may be presented to the Committee.
C.
Investigative hearing; procedures. The Chairperson of the Committee
shall preside over and conduct the formal investigative hearing, which
shall be quasi-judicial in nature. The hearing may be held in executive
session when the need to maintain confidentiality of the proceedings
outweighs the interest of the public in attending such a hearing.
The Chairperson shall have the power and authority to call witnesses,
compel testimony, administer oaths and make determinations on the
receipt of documents and other evidence. The Chairperson shall conduct
the order of the meeting and shall give reasonable opportunity of
the Committee members to question witnesses and for interested parties
to be reasonably heard. The Committee may seek the assistance of the
Legal Services Department in the presentation of the evidence. If
the Legal Services Department is requested to present evidence, it
shall not be allowed to take part in Committee deliberations or in
drafting documents regarding findings or decisions of the Committee.
D.
Administration of oath. All witnesses shall be sworn to tell the
truth under penalty of perjury prior to testifying. The Committee
Chairperson shall have the authority to administer oaths to witnesses
and shall administer said oaths by having all witnesses raise their
right hands and shall state the following question to them: "Do you
swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth?" The Committee Chair may elect to have the witness swear
to tell the truth under penalty of perjury by signing a form that
affirms the same, in substitution of or in addition to an orally administered
oath.
E.
Rules of evidence. The Committee shall not have to follow formal
rules of evidence as adopted by the Menominee Tribal Courts, but may
accept any credible and reliable evidence offered by any witness or
party to the hearing. The Committee shall not render any decision
based upon uncorroborated hearsay, unauthenticated documents or other
suspect and/or unreliable evidence.
F.
Admission of documents into evidence. The Committee shall not accept
into evidence and shall not render a decision based on any document(s)
unless that document(s) is/are originals or is/are certified copies.
Copies, if they are to be admitted into evidence or relied upon, must
be certified to be authentic by the individual who is in charge of
the original document. In the case where there is justifiable doubt
as to the authenticity of a certified copy, the Committee may recess
the hearing for a period not to exceed 15 days and request to view
the original version of the document held by the custodian of the
document.
G.
Hearing procedure; findings of fact. The Committee shall conduct
a hearing before the Committee that conforms with the hearing rules/procedures
prescribed within this chapter. At the conclusion of the hearing,
the Committee Chairperson will render a written decision within 20
days as to the Committee's determination. The written decision
shall include a detailed finding and conclusions. A copy of the written
decision shall be delivered to the applicant, any members whose blood
quantum or enrollment was affected and to the Tribal Legislature.
H.
Investigation to become part of file. A copy of all documents entered
into the record, along with a finding of facts and decision, shall
become part of the permanent file with the enrollment office.
Where references are made in any other tribal ordinances or
documents to the Ancillary Roll, "Ancillary Roll" shall now be deemed
to read "Descendant Register."