Changes in Tribal Ordinance 14

Observer Staff

7/5/2005 12:00:00 AM

Question: What changed in Ordinance 14?

Answer: Various base rolls that the Tribal Enrollment Office can use as acceptable blood quantum were added. The 1883, 1885 and 1891 Constitutional rolls that were recognized in both the 1937 and 1986 Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Constitutions were added. The 1940 Tribal Census and 1982 base rolls approved by the Department of the Interior were also added as acceptable sources of Indian blood. The change also allows the use of the 1857, 1858, 1859, 1861 and 1866 Annuity rolls.

Question: Did this change drop the required blood quantum to 1/8 Indian blood?

Answer: No. The required blood quantum as defined in both the 1937 and the 1986 SCIT Constitution remains at one-quarter Indian blood. Only a constitutional amendment overseen by the Department of the Interior can change this requirement.

Question: I have heard that this change lowers the standards to become a SCIT member. Is that true?

Answer: No. These are the same standards that were used in determining Indian blood under the 1937 SCIT Constitution and 1939 and 1982 base rolls. You must remember that when the 1982 base roll was determined the standards that were in place under the 1937 Constitution were used because this was at least four years before the amended 1986 SCIT Constitution.

Question: I've heard that the Tribe is doing "open enrollment," is that true?

Answer: No. As outlined in the 1986 SCIT Constitution the period of "open enrollment" closed as of May 4, 1988. The Constitution does allow the Tribe to accept applications for children born to enrolled SCIT members regardless of age and the Enrollment Department has to continue to accept those applications. In brief acceptable blood quantum is:

-Persons named on the 1857, 1858, 1859, 1861, 1864, 1865, 1866 and 1867 Annuity rolls are presumed to posses 4/4 Indian blood.

-Persons named on the 1883, 1885 and 1891 Constitutional Base Rolls are presumed to posses 4/4 Indian blood.

-Persons named on the 1939, 1940 and 1982 Base Rolls are presumed to posses the blood quantum listed for them unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the blood quantum was in error.

-Other federally-recognized Indian blood.

On June 7, the Enrollment Department conducted the first "Lunch with the Director" meeting. I'm glad to say that it was a very well received and I believe very helpful to the community members who attended. We will be holding another "Lunch with the Director" on July 12 at noon. The topic will be the amended Tribal Ordinance 14. We will hold this meeting at the senior's room in the Tribal Operations building. I hope to see a lot of new faces.

Miigwech

Ross Miller