GOVERNMENT CODE
GENERAL PROVISIONS
[derived from ordinance no. 118, part 1. definitions]
In this code, unless the context otherwise requires, or unless otherwise defined for a particular purpose herein:
A. "Adult" means a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
B. "Code" or "Tribal Code" means the White Mountain Apache Tribal Code, as adopted by the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council.
C. "Council" or "Tribal Council" means the White Mountain Apache tribal Council duly assembled.
D. "Indian" means any person of Indian descent who is a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe according to the laws of that Tribe, and any other person recognized by federal law as an Indian for any purpose, and denotes both the singular and the plural.
E. "Member" means an enrolled member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
F. "Non-Member" means any person who is not a member.
G. "Non-Indian" means a person who is not an Indian.
H. "Person" means a natural person, Indian or non-Indian, and where relevant, a corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association.
I. "Property" means both real and personal property.
J. "Reservation" means the area within the exterior boundaries of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
K. "Tribal Court" means the Court of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
L. "Tribal Judge" means a judge of the Tribal Court of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and includes regular and visiting judges of the trial court, the juvenile court, and the Court of Appeals.
M. "Tribe" means the White Mountain Apache Tribe, an unincorporated association organized under Section 16 of the Indian Reorganization Act, 25 U.S.C. §476, et seq., (48 Stat. 984) its enterprises, subdivisions, and departments, and its agents acting within the scope of their authority.
N. "Visiting Judge" means a Judge of another Indian Tribe, a former Judge of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, or a state or federal Court Judge, magistrate, or justice of the peace who has been designated by the Chief Judge of the Tribal Court to hear and determine a case.
O. "Signature" means the name of a person in his handwriting or printing, or his mark or thumbprint witnessed by two persons who sign their names as witnesses to his making of the mark or thumbprint.
SECTION 1.2 PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION
The following principles of construction apply to the Tribal Code unless a different construction is obviously intended or is necessary to obtain a reasonable result:
A. Masculine words shall include the feminine, and singular words shall include the plural, and vice versa.
B. Words shall be given their plain meaning and technical words shall be given their usually understood meaning where no other meaning is specified.
C. This Code shall be construed as a whole to give effect to all its parts in a logical, consistent manner.
D. If any provision of this Code or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this code, and its application to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby and to this end the provisions of this Code are severable.
E. All other issues of construction shall be decided using generally accepted principles of construction to effect the underlying principles and purposes of this Code.
This compilation of the laws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, which is to be known as the White Mountain Apache Tribal Code, is adopted pursuant to the authority vested in the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council by virtue of its inherent tribal sovereignty and the Constitution and Bylaws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
SECTION 1.4 REFERENCES TO THE TRIBAL CODE
This Code may be referred to as the White Mountain Apache Tribal Code, or where the context suitably identifies it, as the Tribal Code. Subdivisions of this Code which are identified by a name referring to the particular body of law they contain may be identified by that name, for example, Game and Fish Code.
SECTION 1.5 PRIOR ORDINANCES REPEALED
All prior ordinances are hereby repealed. Any and all resolutions or other enactments of the Tribal Council which conflict with the provisions of the Tribal Code are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
This Code may be amended by the adoption of ordinances by the Tribal Council. Amendments shall become a part of this Code for all purposes and shall be codified and incorporated into the Code in a manner consistent with its numbering and organization.
SECTION 1.7 SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY
The White Mountain Apache Tribe, as a sovereign government, is absolutely immune from suit, and its Tribal Council, officers, agents, and employees shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising or alleged to arise from their performance or non-performance of their official duties. Nothing in this Code shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the White Mountain Apache Tribe except as expressly provided herein or by action of the Tribal Council.
SECTION 1.8 ADOPTION OF FOREIGN LAW BY REFERENCE OR INCORPORATION
A. The adoption of any law or other document into this Code by reference or incorporation shall not constitute a waiver or cession of any sovereign power of the White Mountain Apache Tribe to the jurisdiction whose law is adopted, or in any way diminish such sovereign power, but shall result in the law becoming the law of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
B. Whenever a law or other document of another jurisdiction is adopted by reference or incorporation as White Mountain Apache law, the omission of any part of that law from the portion adopted shall not be construed as a negative statement regarding the principles embodied in the omitted part, unless such a negative statement is expressly made.
C. Whenever a law or other document of another jurisdiction is adopted by reference or incorporation as White Mountain Apache law, the decisions of the courts of that jurisdiction interpreting such law or other document shall not be binding on the White Mountain Apache Tribal Courts unless this Code expressly so provides, but shall be considered as merely advisory.
TRIBAL CHAIRMAN
[historical note: this chapter is derived from ordinance 1, enacted on November 7, 1938]
SECTION 2.1 CHAIRMAN TO SIGN DOCUMENTS APPROVED BY COUNCIL
The Chairman of the Tribal Council will sign all documents favorably passed and approved by the Council, until rescinded. This authority includes all ordinances, resolutions and any other orders in the form of business transacted by the Council in regular or special session.
ELECTIONS
[historical note: chapter three is derived from ordinance 156, enacted November 30, 1987, amending and rescinding ordinance 56 and ordinance 69.]
This chapter is adopted for the purpose of establishing procedures for conducting all White Mountain Apache Tribal elections for the election of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and all other Council Members of the Tribe as provided in Article VIII, of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Tribe.
This title is enacted pursuant to Article VIII, Section 8 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
SECTION 3.1.3 TENURE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Tenure of the Tribal Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Council members shall be a term of four (4) years from the date of election as provided in Article IV, Section 5 of the Amended Constitution and Bylaws, except for vacancies that are filled in accordance with Article IX, Section 3 and of the Constitution and Bylaws.
ARTICLE 2 - SUPERVISORY BODIES
SECTION 3.2.1 TRIBAL ELECTION COMMISSION
SECTION 3.2.2 TRIBAL ELECTION BOARD
Research References
American Jurisprudence, 2d:
25 AmJur 2d, Elections, §39 et seq.
SECTION 3.2.1 TRIBAL ELECTION COMMISSION
A. There shall be a Tribal Election Commission (hereinafter Commission) composed of six (6) members, and three (3) alternates appointed by the Tribal Council, who shall be responsible for administering all elections of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and shall serve for a period from the day of appointment until six (6) months following the general election or for such term as extended by the Council. Said Commission shall be selected at the first Council session of the year preceding the election year. No elected official of the White Mountain Apache Tribe shall serve on the Commission. No candidate or regular employee of a candidate for office or person who is a member of the candidates immediate family, including spouse, son, daughter, mother, father, sister, or brother, shall serve on the Commission.
B. The Commission shall have the authority to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations concerning any matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission as provided within this chapter. Such regulations shall have the force and effect of law of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. The Commission shall have the authority to disqualify any candidate who does not meet the qualifications for the office sought.
C. It shall be the responsibility of the Commission to appoint the Tribal Election Board officials and provide them with proper instructions for performing their duties.
D. The Commission shall elect from its own membership, a chairman and other officers as deemed necessary.
E. It shall be the duty of the Commission to prepare the official ballot or ballots.
F. The Commission shall be responsible, upon approval of the Council, for the storage of and safekeeping of all election ballots both before and after the election.
G. The regulations developed by the Commission shall be submitted for approval to the Council.
SECTION 3.2.2 TRIBAL ELECTION BOARDS
A. There shall be Election Boards to conduct the election at the voting places in each voting district. The Election Boards shall be appointed by the Commission. No elected official of the White Mountain Apache Tribe shall serve on an Election Board. No candidate or regular employee of a candidate for office or person who is a member of the candidate's immediate family, including only spouse, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother shall serve on the Election Board.
B. The Board shall have the following specific duties:
(1) To ascertain that the name of each person requesting to vote is on the official voting list for the particular voting place.C. No member of the Election Board shall leave the voting place during voting hours without permission of the Election commission.
ARTICLE 3 - QUALIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
SECTION 3.3.1 ELIGIBILITY OF VOTERS
SECTION 3.3.2 ELIGIBLE VOTERS LIST
SECTION 3.3.3 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
SECTION 3.3.4 VOTER REGISTRATION
Research Reference
American Jurisprudence 2d
25 AmJur 2d, Elections, §52 et seq.
SECTION 3.3.1 ELIGIBILITY OF VOTERS
A. Voter Registration Required: All members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe whose tribal membership is evidenced by enrollment in the records of the Tribal Vital Statistics Office, and who have reached the age of eighteen (18) years, shall be eligible to vote in tribal elections, provided they have registered for voting as set forth in this section. The Election Commission or Registrar has the authority to preregister those persons whose 18th birthday occurs between the close of registration and the day of the election.
SECTION 3.3.2 ELIGIBLE VOTERS LISTS
Lists of the eligible voters of each District shall be prepared by the Election Commission. The corrected Eligible Voters List shall be posted at the polling place of the District at least ten (10) days prior to the election and a copy submitted to the Council at the same time.
SECTION 3.3.3 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
All enrolled members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe who have reached the age of eighteen years (18) are eligible to vote in Tribal Elections, provided that the following criteria are met:
A. Only those persons whose names appear on the list of eligible voters shall be allowed to vote in Tribal Elections.
B. Eligible voters may vote only in the district of their residence.
C. For the purpose of insuring proper voter registration, a voter's residence shall be determined as follows:
(1) The residence of a White Mountain Apache person is that place at which his place of abode is fixed and at which the voter intends to remain for an undetermined period and with no present intentions of removal from that place and to which, when he or she is absent, he or she intends to return.SECTION 3.3.4 VOTER REGISTRATION
A. There shall be a registration of eligible voters. A permanent role of eligible voters shall be kept by the Election Commission. The Election commission shall keep the register open during all business hours, beginning the day after each tribal election and continuing until 30 days prior to the date of the next election.
B. While the register is open any unregistered member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, upon proving to the Election Commission, or any designated registrar, that he or she possesses the qualifications set forth in subsection C above, shall be permitted to register.
C. The registrar shall issue to all voters registering a registration card which shall be in two (2) segments, each bearing the identical information. The registrar shall retain one segment for the records of the Election Commission and the other segment shall be given to the registered voter. The registration card shall bear the following information: name of the voter, social security number, date of birth, home address, polling place where they will be permitted to vote, and other pertinent information as may be required by the Election Commission. At the close of the registration period, an alphabetically arranged list of all persons registered to vote in each election district shall be prepared by the Office of Vital Statistics. The list shall be certified by the Election Commission as accurate, and shall constitute the eligible voters list.
D. Any person desiring to register, who is not permitted to register, may appeal in writing to the Election Commission at least 30 days prior to the next election. The Election commission must rule on said appeal no later than 20 days prior to an election. All decisions of the Election Commission shall be final.
E. Cancellation of Registration. The Election Commission shall examine the eligible voters list containing the names of all eligible voters and add or remove the names of all individuals as may be necessary to make the lists accurate.
F. The existing lists of eligible voters are accepted as they now exist. All new registration of voters or changes of registration must meet the criteria established by this Chapter.
SECTION 3.4.1 PRIMARY ELECTION
There shall be a primary election which shall be held on the first Wednesday of February during an election year as established by Article VIII, Section 1 of the Amended Constitution and Bylaws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
At least sixty days before the date of a regular primary election, the Tribal Council Secretary shall prepare and post a notice in writing designating the offices for which candidates are to be nominated at the primary election.
SECTION 3.4.3 GENERAL ELECTION
On the first Wednesday of April of an election year as established in Article VIII, Section 1 of the Amended Constitution and Bylaws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, a general election shall be held for the election of members of the Tribal Council whose terms expire during the year in which the election is being held.
SECTION 3.4.4 PRIMARY ELECTION VOTING; SELECTION OF CANDIDATES
A. In the primary election, each registered voter shall be entitled to cast one vote for that person's choice among the candidates for the office of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and council member. Only those voters who are registered to vote in the District to which a Tribal Council Member is to be elected may cast a vote for the candidate to be elected from that District.
B. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Tribal Council Member and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes for Chairman, Vice Chairman, or Tribal Council Member, shall be the candidates for Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Tribal Council Members in the general election.
C. In each district that elects one council member, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be the candidates for council member in the general election.
D. In each district that elects two council members, the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be the candidates for council member in the general election.
ARTICLE 5 - QUALIFICATION OF AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES
SECTION 3.5.1 QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION TO THE COUNCIL GENERALLY
Each candidate who desires to run for election to the Tribal Council shall meet the qualifications set forth in Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution and Article II, Section I of the Bylaws.
The qualifications for Chairman shall be:
(1) The candidate for Chairman must be a resident of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR).
(2) The candidate for Chairman shall satisfy all of the requirements of the Constitution of the White Mountain Apache
Tribe, Article II, Section I of the Bylaws.
The qualifications for Vice Chairman shall be the same as for the office of Chairman.
The qualifications for Council members shall be those established in Article II, Section I of the Bylaws.
SECTION 3.5.5 NOMINATION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
This Section 3.5.5 and Section 3.5.6 shall govern the nomination of candidates for election to the Tribal Council and no other method of nominating candidates shall be allowed. There shall be no write in candidates. Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 6 of the Constitution of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, any member of the tribe who is a resident of the District from which he desires to be nominated whose name is presented at least 45 days before the primary election, to the Secretary of the Tribal Council or to the Chairman of the Tribal Council, or in his absence to the Vice Chairman of the Tribal Council, by petitions signed by at least 5% of the resident voters of the district, of the age not less than 18 years, shall be declared by the Tribal Council to be regularly nominated as a council member and to be a candidate for the office of the council member as indicated in such petition. The Tribal Council Secretary shall post the names of all qualified candidates in a public place at least thirty (30) days prior to the primary election.
SECTION 3.5.6 SIGNING OF NOMINATION PAPERS
Each registered voter shall be entitled to sign only one nomination paper for the same council officer unless more than one candidate is to be elected from the district to such office, and in that case, not more than the number of nomination papers equal to the number of candidates to be elected from the district to the office. Signatures of persons in violation of this section shall be disregarded in determining the validity of the nomination.
SECTION 3.5.7 PREPARATION OF BALLOTS
It shall be the responsibility of the Tribal Council Secretary to see that ballots are prepared for each of the districts to which a council member is to be elected. The printing of the ballots shall take place as soon as possible after all candidates have been certified by the Tribal Election Commission. Paper ballots upon which are printed the names of the candidates shall be used in the tribal elections. The upper portion of the ballot shall contain the name of the candidates for members of the Tribal Council. The ballot shall be numbered consecutively and provided in consecutive numbers to each precinct. A box shall be provided opposite each name in which the other may indicate his or her choice.
An adequate supply of ballots plainly marked, "Sample Ballots", and printed on a paper of different color from that of the ballots prepared for voting purposes shall be distributed and shall be posted in public places in each precinct in order to acquaint voters with the ballot and with voting procedures.
ARTICLE 6 - CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
Subarticle 1 -- General Provisions
SECTION 3.6.1 OFFICIAL ELECTION DATES
SECTION 3.6.2 SPECIAL ELECTIONS
SECTION 3.6.3 ELECTIONEERING
Subarticle 2 -- Voting Generally
SECTION 3.6.4 VOTING PLACES AND HOURS; NOTICE
SECTION 3.6.5 MANNER OF VOTING GENERALLY
SECTION 3.6.6 VOTING BY PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES OR LANGUAGE BARRIERS
SECTION 3.6.7 WATCHERS
Subarticle 3 -- Absentee Voting
SECTION 3.6.8 ABSENTEE VOTING
SECTION 3.6.9 DELIVERY OR MAILING OF DOCUMENTS TO APPLICANT
SECTION 3.6.10 FORM OF APPLICATION
SECTION 3.6.11 BALLOT AFFIDAVIT; FORM
SECTION 3.6.12 RECEIPT OF VOTER'S BALLOT
SECTION 3.6.13 CASTING ABSENTEE BALLOT
SECTION 3.6.14 RETENTION OF MATERIALS
Subarticle 4 -- Count and Return of Votes; Recounts and Runoffs
SECTION 3.6.15 COUNTING OF BALLOTS; CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS; PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED RETURN OF ELECTION
RESULTS; DISPOSITION OF BALLOTS
SECTION 3.6.16 RECOUNTS
Subarticle 5 -- Challenges to Election Results
SECTION 3.6.17 PROCEDURE FOR ELECTION CONTEST GENERALLY
SECTION 3.6.18 PROCEEDINGS ON PETITION ALLEGING FRAUD
SECTION 3.6.19 PROCEEDINGS ON PETITION ALLEGING IRREGULARITIES OTHER THAN FRAUD
SECTION 3.6.20 PROCEEDINGS WHERE DETERMINATION OF CONTEST IMPOSSIBLE
Subarticle 1 -- General Provisions
Research References
American Jurisprudence 2d:
25 Am Jur 2d, Elections §§183-201, 374
SECTION 3.6.1 OFFICIAL ELECTION DATES
The following dates are the official dates pertaining to the elections of the White Mountain Apache Tribe:
(1) Registration of Voters. The cut-off date for registration to vote shall be 30 days before any election.
(2) Filing of Candidates. Candidates may file nominating petitions for office from the 60th day prior to the primary,
through the 45th day prior to the primary election. Nominating petitions must be returned to the Tribal Council Secretary by
the close of business on the 45th day prior to the primary election day.
(3) Primary Election. The Primary election shall be held on the first Wednesday of February of the election year.
(4) General Election. The General election shall be the 1st Wednesday of April of the election year.
(5) Swearing in of Elected Officials. The swearing in of the elected tribal officials, i.e., Chairman, Vice Chairman, and
Council, shall be the 1st Wednesday of May of the election year.
SECTION 3.6.2 SPECIAL ELECTIONS
Special elections shall be called by the Council for specifically stated purposes.
No person shall be allowed to electioneer within two hundred (200) feet of the entrance to any polling location while an election is in progress, nor shall any person or persons, except election officials and other persons authorized by law, be allowed to approach the ballot box while an election is in progress or remain within 50 feet of the polling place except while actually voting. No written or printed material other than that provided by the Election Commission shall be publicly placed or exposed within two hundred (200) feet of the entrance to any polling location while an election is in progress. The tribal Election Commission shall be charged with the responsibility of developing the policies on electioneering with the approval of the Council.
Subarticle 2 -- Voting Generally
Research References
American Jurisprudence, 2d
26 Am Jur 2d, Elections, §§ 202-290.
SECTION 3.6.4 VOTING PLACES AND HOURS; NOTICE
Voting places, with the approval of the Council, shall be provided by the Tribal Election Commission and shall be open during the hours of 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the election. Proper notice of the election shall be given by the Tribal Election Commission.
SECTION 3.6.5 MANNER OF VOTING GENERALLY
A. Voting shall be by secret ballot.
B. Except as otherwise provided, any registered voter may vote by appearing at his prescribed voting place, announcing to the Election Board his name and address and by marking and placing in the ballot box the ballot which shall be handed to him.
C. Any registered voter who will be unable to vote in person may vote by absentee ballot as prescribed in Article 3 of this chapter.
SECTION 3.6.6 VOTING BY PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES OR LANGUAGE BARRIERS
If a voter presents himself and states that he or she, because of a physical disability or infirmity or language barrier, is unable to mark his ballot, assistance shall be provided by two members of the Election Board.
Candidates for the office of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and each candidate for the Council may submit two names as their designated watchers at each polling place. No candidate for any elected office of the White Mountain Apache Tribe shall be a watcher. Watchers are restricted from conversing with voters and Election Board members. Any disruption by watchers will be cause for their removal from the polling place. Poll watchers are to remain only in designated areas.
Subarticle 3 -- Absentee Voting
SECTION 3.6.8 ABSENTEE VOTING; REQUEST FOR BALLOT
A. Any registered voter of the White Mountain Apache Tribe who expects to be absent from the district in which he or she is registered on any primary and general election day, or who expects to be physically unable to go to the voting place on such day, may request an absentee ballot either by coming in person to the office of the Tribal Council Secretary, or by sending a letter to the White Mountain Apache Tribal Election Commission. A person requesting an absentee ballot shall identify himself or herself using the name under which he/she registered and shall state the district in which he or she is registered.
B. The applicant for an absentee ballot shall complete and sign the application before the Chairman or any member of the Tribal Election Commission or any Notary Public. The person before whom the applicant completes the application shall sign it with his or her name and official title, and if a notary public, shall impress his or her seal on the application. Persons unable to sign the application shall have the application signed by a witness. Applications for absentee voter ballots must be delivered either in person or by mail to the White Mountain Apache Tribal Election Commission.
C. Requests for absentee ballots by mail shall be accepted until 7 days prior to the election of the election year. Registered voters may make their requests in person at the Tribal Election Commission's Office until 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the election.
D. All persons who previously receive an absentee ballot by mail for the Primary election shall be provided an absentee ballot for the General election.
SECTION 3.6.9 DELIVERY OR MAILING OF DOCUMENTS TO APPLICANT
Unless it is evident that the applicant is not a registered voter, the Tribal Election Commission shall immediately cause the
following documents to be delivered or mailed to such applicant.
1. A ballot for the proposed absentee voter's district.
2. An affidavit envelope labelled "For Absentee Ballot Only" for the ballot to be put into after the voter has marked it.
3. An envelope with the address of the tribal Election Commission printed on its front.
4. The official application.
SECTION 3.6.10 FORM OF APPLICATION
A. The form of application for the absentee ballot shall be as follows:
State of Arizona, County of Navajo, I, ____________________, do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a registered voter of
the White Mountain Apache Tribe registered in District ____; that I expect to be absent from my District on the day of the
next White Mountain Apache Tribal Election or because of physical disability will not be able to go to the voting place on
such day. Therefore, I hereby make application to the Tribal Election Commission for an absentee ballot.
_______________________________
Voters Name
_______________________________
Voter's Registration Number
(if known)
WITNESS:
SIGNED AND SWORN to before me, this ____ day of ____________________, 19____.
_______________________________
Notary Public/Commission Member
B. The Tribal Council Secretary shall supply printed instructions to absentee voters substantially as follows:
(1) Sign both the affidavit envelope and the application before any Notary Public or other officer authorized by law to
administer oaths.
(2) Display ballot unmarked before the officer in his presence, but in such a manner that he cannot see your vote, mark your
ballot, and seal it in the white envelope marked, "For Absentee Ballot Only". Do not enclose the application with the ballot.
(3) Sign the oath on the back of the white affidavit envelope marked, "For Absentee Ballot Only".
(4) Place the application for ballot, complete with signature and acknowledgement, together with the white envelope
containing your ballot, in the enclosed self addressed envelope. Check to see that the application is not enclosed in the
envelope marked, "For Absentee Ballot Only", and mail. The ballot and application must be in the office of the Tribal
Council Secretary or the Tribal Election Commission before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
SECTION 3.6.11 BALLOT AFFIDAVIT; FORM
A. The absentee ballot shall be accompanied by an envelope bearing upon the front a printed affidavit in substantially the
following form:
te of Arizona, County of ___________, I, __________________________, do solemnly swear that I am a registered
voter of District _______, of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. I further swear or affirm that I personally voted the
enclosed ballot (or that it was marked according to my instructions because I was unable to do so).
________________________________
Signature of Elector
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this _____ day of ____________, 19___.
I further certify that the Affiant exhibited the enclosed ballot to me unmarked. Then, in my presence, the Affiant personally and privately marked such ballot in such a manner that neither I, nor any other person, was able to see the Affiant vote, or it was marked by me according to the Affiant's instructions and enclosed and sealed in this envelope. The affiant was not solicited or advised by any person to vote for or against any candidate or measure.
_________________________________
Title of Officer
SECTION 3.6.12 RECEIPT OF VOTER'S BALLOT
Upon receipt of the envelope containing the absentee ballot and the completed application, the Tribal Election Commission shall compare the signatures thereon with the signatures of the elector on his affidavit of registration. If satisfied that the signatures correspond and that the application and the affidavit are sufficient, the Tribal Election Commission Officer shall hold them unopened in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Election Commission.
SECTION 3.6.13 CASTING ABSENTEE BALLOT
A. The Tribal Election Commission shall as provided by this section, cast separately for each District the absentee ballots which have been received. The Commission shall check the voter's application and his affidavit on the envelope containing the absentee ballot. If these are found to be sufficient, the Board shall check the voter's name on the precinct register. If the Commission then finds that the applicant is a duly registered voter of the district, the vote shall be allowed. If the application or the affidavit is insufficient, or if the applicant is not a registered voter of the district, the vote shall not be allowed.
B. If the vote is allowed, the Commission shall open the envelope containing the ballot in such a manner that the affidavit thereon is not destroyed, take out the ballot without unfolding or permitting it to be opened or examined, endorse the stub in the same manner that the other ballots are endorsed, deposit the ballot and the envelope in which it was enclosed in the ballot box, and show by the records of the election that the voter has voted.
C. If the vote is not allowed, the affidavit envelope containing the absentee ballot shall not be opened and the Commission shall mark across the face of such envelope the grounds for rejecting the ballot. The affidavit envelope with its contents shall then be deposited with the open affidavit envelopes and shall be preserved with official returns.
SECTION 3.6.14 RETENTION OF MATERIALS
All material used for procuring and casting an absentee ballot shall remain under the control of the Tribal Election Commission for a period of one (1) year after the day of the election.
Subarticle 4 -- Count and Return of Votes; Recounts
Research References
American Jurisprudence, 2d
26 Am Jur 2d, Elections, §§291-315
SECTION 3.6.15 COUNTING OF BALLOTS; CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS; PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED RETURN OF ELECTION RESULTS; DISPOSITION OF BALLOTS
A. The ballots cast shall be counted and tallied by the Election Boards beginning at 7:00 p.m. or immediately after voting is completed on the day of the election.
B. After counting, all ballots shall be placed in ballot boxes, locked, marked with the name and voting place and the date of the election by the Election Board. All unused and spoiled or rejected ballots shall also be labeled and placed in the ballot box.
C. Results of the voting shall be made by certified return by the Election Board to the Election Commission and a copy of the return shall be posted at the voting place.
D. The locked ballot boxes containing all ballots shall be immediately returned by the Judge and at least one other board official to the Election Commission.
E. The Election Commission shall immediately prepare a consolidated return of the election results and post said results at the election headquarters.
F. The Election Commission shall certify all elected candidates to the Tribal Council, provided a petition of contest has not been filed or a recount requested. All candidates not involved in a recount or protest will be certified. Certification of the candidate in question will be made following the determination of said protest or recount.
G. The Election Commission shall store the ballots, upon approval of the Council, in such a manner that will insure the safekeeping of said ballots for a period of one year.
H. On a day following the election a meeting shall be called by the Tribal Council for the purpose of certification of the election.
A. Automatic Recount.
If the tally shows that the vote cast for the two candidates for an office with the highest vote is tied, or if the highest vote is
larger than the next highest vote by less than 1% of the total vote cast for that office, there shall be an automatic recount.
B. Only candidates for office may ask for a recount. A candidate requesting a recount shall petition the chairman of the Election Commission. A fee to cover costs of recount of $100 per polling location will be charged the candidate requesting the recount. The time limit for filing for a recount shall be from the first calendar day following the certification of election results and shall continue for five (5) calendar days. Recounts will be completed by the Tribal Election Commission.
Subarticle 5 -- Challenges to Election Results
Research References
American Jurisprudence, 2d:
26 Am Jur 2d, Elections, § 316 et seq.
SECTION 3.6.17 PROCEDURE FOR ELECTION CONTESTS GENERALLY
In the event a candidate contests the correctness of the announced results of an election by alleging fraud or other irregularities, the chairman of the Election Commission shall set a hearing. Such contest of election must be made in writing to the Election Commission Chairman within five (5) calendar days following the certification of the election.
[historical note: section 3.6.18 amended pursuant to ordinance no. 157, enacted march 22, 1988 by resolution no. 03-88-73].
SECTION 3.6.18 PROCEEDINGS ON PETITIONS ALLEGING FRAUD
When a petition alleging fraud concerning voting is filed, said petition must be accompanied by a cash bond of five hundred dollars ($500.00). The same amount must accompany a petition alleging fraud concerning absentee voting. Said petitions shall be conditioned upon payment of any and all liabilities or judgments arising from the contest so filed. In said petition, contestant must allege that fraud occurred in certain polling locations or in the casting of absentee ballots. He must further allege the name of the polling locations wherein such fraud occurred, the specific act constituting such alleged fraud and the names of the alleged perpetrators of such fraud. If such a petition is filed in the manner herein provided, the Chief Judge of the Tribal Court, or such other justice as the Chief Judge may assign, shall hear and determine said issue without delay or continuance of more than five (5) days. On the day of the hearing, the contestee may file an answer to such petition or may file a cross-petition, setting forth in detail, as required of a petitioner herein, such claim of fraud. The decision of said justice shall be final as to any changes in the total votes, and a copy of such judgment and decision shall be furnished to the Election Commission. In any case where fraud is proven on the part of a candidate, he shall be declared ineligible for the office for which he was a candidate. In all cases where a petition is filed which alleges fraud, but after a hearing said allegations are not reasonably sustained by competent evidence, the contestant shall be civilly liable in damages to the contestee for all damages sustained, including a reasonable attorney fee and all reasonable and proper costs of conducting such contest.
SECTION 3.6.19 PROCEEDINGS ON PETITION ALLEGING IRREGULARITIES OTHER THAN FRAUD
A. When a petition alleging irregularities other than fraud is filed, said petition must allege a sufficient number of
irregularities and of such a nature as to:
(1) Prove that the contestant is lawfully entitled to be certified as a candidate, or to have his name appear on the runoff
ballot; or
(2) Prove that it is impossible to determine with mathematical certainty which candidate is entitled to be certified as a
candidate or to have his name appear on the runoff ballot.
B. If sufficient allegations are not made, the petition shall be deemed frivolous by the presiding justice and shall be dismissed. Said petition when concerning poll voting shall be accompanied by a fee in the form of either a cashier's check or certified check in the amount of two hundred ($200.00) dollars. The same amount must accompany a petition concerning absentee voting. Said petition must set forth specific allegations of irregularities in certain polling locations or in the casting of absentee ballots. If said petition is filed in the manner herein provided, the justice shall hear and determine said issue in the same manner as provided for a petition alleging fraud. Deposits shall be used to defray actual fees.
SECTION 3.6.20 PROCEEDINGS WHERE DETERMINATION OF CONTEST IMPOSSIBLE
If after a hearing is conducted, it is deemed impossible to determine who should be certified as the successful candidate, the judge shall notify the Chairman of the Election Commission of same. It shall then be the duty of the Election Commission Chairman to notify the Tribal Council of said decision. The Council shall then order a new election as soon as is practical in the same manner as the contested election, with the identical candidates; provided that any candidate upon whom fraud has been proven shall not be a candidate in the new election.
[historical note: section 3.7.1 amended pursuant to ordinance no. 157, enacted march 22, 1988 by resolution no. 03-88-73].
SECTION 3.7.1 SEVERABILITY
If any part of this Chapter shall be ruled invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that portion shall cease to be operative, but the remainder of this chapter shall continue in full force and effect.
TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP
[historical note: chapter four - tribal membership has been amended and rescinded by the white mountain apache tribal enrollment code enacted April 9, 1992]
EXCLUSION AND REMOVAL OF NON-MEMBERS EXECUTIVE CLOSURE OF RESERVATION
SECTION 5.1 DECLARATION OF PURPOSE
Whereas it is the sacred duty and obligation of the Tribal Council of the White Mountain Apache Tribe to safeguard, protect, manage, administer and develop the natural resources of the ancestral lands of the White Mountain Apache Tribe for the sole economic, cultural, and social benefit of the people of the White Mountain Apache Tribe; and whereas pursuant to the inherent sovereign power and authority reposing in the White Mountain Apache Tribe as reaffirmed by the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and the Tribal Constitution enacted pursuant thereto which was duly ratified by the Secretary of the Interior as principal agent for the trustee United States; the Tribal Council possesses the authority and constitutional obligation to initiate proceedings in order to protect its people, their natural resources, land, water rights, fish and wildlife, from any threat or conduct by non-members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe which might diminish, denigrate, damage, injure or threaten those natural resources or the social, cultural and economic well being of the people of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in any manner whatsoever; the Exclusion and Removal and Executive Closure provisions set forth in this Chapter are hereby enacted to carry out and implement this Declaration of Purpose and the Tribal Constitutional obligations of the Tribal Council.
A. TRIBE as used in this Ordinance refers to both the singular and plural and represents each and every enrolled member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, an unincorporated association organized pursuant to §16 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.
B. PERSON and NON-MEMBER as used in this Ordinance means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, state, or county government and any of their respective agencies who are not enrolled members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and denotes both the singular and plural wherever used.
* [this portion of section disapproved by bureau of indian affairs]
C. PERSON and NON-MEMBER as used in this Ordinance also means any Federal employee of the Department of
Interior or any of its contractors who are engaged in any activity on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation which is found to
be:
(1) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law;
(2) contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege or immunity;
(3) in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitations, or short of statutory right;
(4) without observance of procedure required by law;
(5) a direct conflict of interest of the Secretary of the Interior's trustee responsibilities to protect, preserve and utilize the
resources of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation for the improvement of the economic well being of the White Mountain
Apache Tribe.
SECTION 5.3 EXECUTIVE ORDER CLOSURE OF ALL OR PART OF RESERVATION; FIRE PREVENTION ORDERS
A. The Chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council, or in his absence the Vice-Chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council, is empowered to close any or all of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation to non-members whenever the presence of such non-members would constitute a threat or danger to life, property, or the sovereign interest of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. The exclusion order may permit certain named individuals (or classes of individuals) to remain and may provide for a procedure whereby individual or classes of individual may seek entry or reentry to closed areas. No such closure may continue for more than 30 days without concurrence by the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council by Council Resolution.
B. The Chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council, or in his absence the Vice-Chairman of the White
Mountain Apache Tribal Council, is empowered to issue fire prevention orders to respond to actual or potential threats of
fire on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. All orders shall be based upon the most current information available to the
Chairman or Vice-Chairman at the time the order is issued, and shall be reasonably tailored to reduce actual or potential
threats of fire, including threats to natural resources, wildlife, economic resources, or to Tribal health or welfare. Orders
shall state the basis for issuance, and may cover, among other things, the following:
(1) The closure of any portion of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation to non-members and/or members of the Tribe. Such
an order may permit certain individuals or classes of individuals to remain and may provide for a procedure whereby
individual or classes of individuals may seek entry to closed areas;
(2) The restriction or prohibition of open burning, including the burning of garbage or refuse at residences or at garbage
disposal areas;
(3) The restriction or prohibition of activities that pose fire hazards, including, but not limited to, camp fires, barbeques,
camp stoves, and smoking.
(4) The restriction or prohibition of wood cutting otherwise permitted under the Tribe's Natural Resources Code; or
(5) Any other restrictions or prohibitions consistent with this Paragraph.
No restrictions or prohibitions issued pursuant to this Paragraph may continue for more than 90 days without concurrence by the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council by Council Resolution.
C. In addition to other civil or criminal sanctions set forth in this Chapter, any person, Indian or non-Indian, who is found
guilty of any conduct or act prohibited by an order issued pursuant to Section 5.3(B) of this Code, or who intentionally or
negligently causes a fire on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, shall be guilty of an offense and punished as follows:
INDIAN OFFENDERS
(1) If an Indian, imprisonment of up to fifty (50) days and a fine of up to One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00), or both fine
and imprisonment.
(2) Alternatively, or in addition to the punishment prescribed in Section 5.3(C)(1), the Court may require any Indian
convicted of violating this section to perform not less than twenty-five (25) but not more than two hundred fifty (250) hours
of community service for the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
(3) Alternatively, or in addition to the punishment prescribed above, the Court may order an Indian who intentionally or
negligently causes a fire on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation to pay restitution to the Tribe for damages caused by such
fire, including, but not limited to costs for rehabilitation, reforestation, loss of future revenue, loss of productivity, damage
to other forest resources, and all costs expended by the Tribe to respond to the fire.
NON-INDIAN OFFENDERS
(4) Non-Indian violators shall be subject to prosecution pursuant to applicable federal law, and to tribal civil penalties and
remedies as follows:
(a) A civil penalty of not less than Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars or more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).
(b) In addition to civil penalties, if a fire is negligently or intentionally caused on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation by a
non-Indian or if a fire so caused spreads onto the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, the court may order such person to pay
restitution to the Tribe for damages caused by such fire, including, but not limited to, rehabilitation, reforestation, loss of
future revenue, loss of productivity, damage to other forest resources, and all costs expended by the Tribe through all
phases of its response to the fire.
(5) The court may also charge any Indian or non-Indian found guilty or liable to the Tribe under this section with payment
of all reasonable costs associated with the enforcement of these regulations, beginning with detection and including all
processes through prosecution and collection of the settlement, such as field examination and survey, damage appraisal,
investigation assistance and reports, witness expenses, demand letters, court costs, and attorneys' fees.
(6) Payment of civil or criminal penalties or restitution to the Tribe may involve collection of cash, forfeiture of real and
personal property, and garnishment. Any cash shall be applied to expenses incurred by tribal enforcement agencies. After
disposition of real and personal property to pay court ordered civil liability penalties, restitution, and enforcement costs, any
residual or left over funds shall be returned to the trespasser/violator.
D. Tribal Game and Fish officers, Tribal police, and designated and properly trained personnel from Tribal Forestry, the Fire Department, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Forestry and Criminal Investigations, as well as other Federal law enforcement officers, may, upon probable cause that a person has violated this Section, issue citations giving notice to such persons that a violation of this section has occurred. The citation shall provide a basis for the determination that a violation has occurred, as well as notice of the location of the tribal court and a date by which the citation must be answered. Any person issued a citation under this Paragraph shall be required to sign a consent for appearance, and if such person refuses to sign the consent, he or she may be arrested and taken to the Whiteriver jail for booking and arraignment before the Tribal Court. Non-Indians shall be turned over to the custody of Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement or Federal Marshall, as appropriate.
E. In addition to the civil penalties and remedies specified herein, violations of this section by a non-Indian or non member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe may result in a petition for his or her exclusion from the reservation or referral to the United States Magistrate, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or U.S. Attorney for prosecution.
SECTION 5.4 EXCLUSION OR REMOVAL OF NON-MEMBERS AFTER HEARING; INTERIM EXCLUSION OR REMOVAL PENDING HEARING
A. A non-member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe may be excluded or removed from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation after a hearing and the entry of an exclusion or removal order, or in cases involving a threat or danger to the public health, safety, or sovereignty of the White Mountain Apache Tribe or for violating Section 5.6, pending such a hearing, upon order of a Tribal Judge of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
B. Interim exclusion or removal of a non-member from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation shall only be ordered in cases involving a threat to the public health, or sovereignty of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and for a period no longer than necessary for an exclusion hearing to be held.
SECTION 5.5 GROUNDS FOR EXCLUSION OR REMOVAL OF NON-MEMBERS
An Order of Exclusion or Removal may be entered by the Tribal Court after a hearing, or on an interim basis as provided in Section 5.4, as follows:
A. When the non-member is accused of conduct within the Fort apache Indian Reservation which would be punishable
under the laws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe or the United States, if committed by a member of the White
Mountain Apache Tribe; and
(1) Such non-member declines to give written consent to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the White Mountain Apache
Tribe over such non-member with respect to such conduct; and
(2) Such non-member either admits such conduct in the removal or exclusion proceedings, or is found by a preponderance
of the evidence in the exclusion or removal proceedings to have committed the act in question; or
B. When the non-member either admits in an exclusion or removal proceeding or is found by a preponderance of the
evidence presented in an exclusion or removal proceeding to have engaged in any of the following acts:
(1) Unauthorized prospecting for petrified wood or artifacts, antiquities, wood collecting, timber cutting, surveying,
damaging or using property of the White Mountain Apache Tribe or any resident thereof without permission, disturbing any
gravesite, or conducting any scientific study of minerals, water wildlife, vegetation, soil composition, or any sociological,
or anthropological studies without prior Tribal Council permission; or
(2) Entry into any White Mountain Apache home without the consent of the occupants; or if consent is revoked, refusing
thereafter to vacate the premises; or
(3) Interference with or unauthorized photographing of any White Mountain Apache traditional ceremony without
permission of the White Mountain Apaches involved; or
(4) Unauthorized or unlicensed trading or peddling; or
(5) Unauthorized entering of an area of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation closed to non-members; or
(6) Removal by a non-member from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation of any member of the White Mountain Apache
Tribe under the age of 18, or under guardianship, except by Order of the Courts of the White Mountain Apache Tribe
pursuant to and in compliance with White Mountain Apache law or in conjunction with a sectarian program administered
by the White Mountain Apache Tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs; or
(7) Violating any Federal or Tribal Game and Fish Regulations applicable within the exterior boundaries of the Fort
Apache Indian Reservation; or
(8) Committing frauds, confidence games, or usury against Apache people, or inducing them to enter into grossly
unfavorable contracts of any nature; or
(9) Defrauding any Apache of just compensation for his labor or service of any nature done at the request of the
non-member.
C. Any person not a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe who commits or is convicted of committing any act on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation which is a crime under State or Federal Law, or which would have constituted a violation of the criminal code of the White Mountain Apache Tribe if it had been committed by a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, may be removed and excluded from the Reservation pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter or, prior to conviction, taken into custody by a Tribal Police Officer or Game Ranger for delivery to State or Federal authorities for prosecution.
SECTION 5.6 PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Entering upon the Fort Apache Indian Reservation by any non-member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe for purposes of conducting any study, surveying or mapping of the land, water resources, soil, geology, topography, forest, grazing lands, atmosphere, fish and wildlife, minerals, or White Mountain Apache culture or people for any purposes without the prior consent and approval of the Tribal Council of the White Mountain Apache Tribe shall constitute grounds for the immediate removal and exclusion of said person from the exterior boundaries of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation pending an exclusionary hearing as set forth in this Chapter.
SECTION 5.7 DURATION OF EXCLUSION
An exclusion or removal order entered by a Court of the White Mountain Apache Tribe shall either be for a definite period, or may, under appropriate circumstances, be permanent. A non-member excluded or removed may petition the Court for modification of an exclusion or removal order at any time after the order is entered but may not file a petition to modify more than once every three months.
SECTION 5.8 COURT JURISDICTION
The Courts of the White Mountain Apache Tribe are vested with civil jurisdiction over all non-members with respect to the exclusion or removal of non-members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
SECTION 5.9 NOTICE OF EXCLUSION OR REMOVAL
The Chairman or in his absence, the Vice Chairman of the Tribal Council may petition the Tribal Court for a notice of exclusion or removal to be served personally or by registered mail upon any non-member whenever either or such officers believes cause may exist for exclusion or removal of such non-member, or whenever the Tribal Council orders either officer to cause such notice to be served. Such notice shall state the reason for the proposed exclusion or removal and shall name a time and place where the non-member may appear before the Tribal Court to show cause why he should not be excluded from the exterior boundaries of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation
SECTION 5.10 HEARING; ORDER OF EXCLUSION
A. After notice to the non-member proposed for exclusion or removal, the Tribal Court shall hold a hearing no later than ten days thereafter to decide whether or not the non-member shall be excluded from the exterior boundaries of the Reservation. Such non-member shall be given an opportunity to present his defense at such hearing and may be represented by counsel.
B. After hearing, or after the time set for such hearing, if after notice the non-member proposed for exclusion or removal does not appear, the Tribal Court may order that such non-member may remain upon the Fort Apache Indian Reservation on such conditions as the Court sees fit to impose; or may order said non-member to leave or be removed from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. All orders of exclusion or removal shall remain in force until revoked by the Tribal Court, unless the order specifically provides otherwise.
C. The Tribal Attorney or in his absence, the Tribal Prosecutor, shall represent the White Mountain Apache Tribe, the chairman of the Tribal Council or in his absence the Vice Chairman of the Tribal Council in any and all exclusion or removal proceedings initiated in Tribal Court pursuant to this Chapter.
SECTION 5.11 ENFORCEMENT OF EXCLUSION OR REMOVAL ORDER
A. If any non-member ordered removed or excluded from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation by the Tribal Court does not promptly obey the order, the Chairman of the Tribal Council or, in his absence the Vice Chairman of the Tribal Council, may petition the Tribal Court for appropriate enforcement action, or he may refer the matter directly to the United States Attorney; or both.
B. Upon receipt of a Petition for Enforcement of the Tribal Court's previous Removal or Exclusion Order, the Tribal Court shall immediately order the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police or Tribal Game Rangers to bodily remove the non-member and/or to remove the property of such non-member from within the exterior boundaries of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. the Police Officer or Game Ranger executing such order shall use only so much force as is necessary to effect the removal or exclusion.
SECTION 5.12 FORCIBLE REMOVAL OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY PRIOR TO HEARING
A. In extreme cases involving grave danger to the life, health, morals, or property of the Tribe or any of its members or because of a violation of Section 5.6, the Chairman of the Tribal Council, or in his absence from the Reservation, the Vice Chairman of the Tribal Council may petition the Tribal Court, without notice, for an Order directing any White Mountain Apache Police Officer or Game Ranger to bodily remove a non-member and/or to remove any property of such non-member from Tribal land, before such non-member has been ordered excluded by the Tribal Court as provided in Section 5.10B. The Police Officer or Game Ranger executing such order shall use only so much force as is necessary to effect the removal.
B. If service of the notice provided for in Section 5.9 has not already been made on such non-member, the Court shall cause the police Officer or Game Ranger to serve such notice upon the non-member at the time of removal, or he shall cause the notice to be served as soon after removal as possible.
C. In all cases where the non-member has not already been ordered excluded by the Tribal Court the Court shall notify the non-member of a place on the Reservation Boundary where he may reenter in the company of a White Mountain Apache Police Officer or Game Ranger who is to accompany such non-member while he is on the Reservation travelling to and leaving his hearing.
D. Any non-member ordered by the Tribal Court to leave the Reservation, pursuant to Section 5.4, Section 5.6, Section 5.10B, Section 5.1a, or Section 5.12, may be delivered to the custody of state or federal authorities for prosecution.
If any provision of this Chapter, or the application thereof, is held invalid, the remainder of this Chapter, or other applications of such provisions, shall not be affected
TRIBAL UTILITY AUTHORITY
Article 1 - Establishment of Authority
[historical note: article 1 is derived from ordinance 93, enacted November 1, 1972]
SECTION 6.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF TRIBAL UTILITY AUTHORITY; BY-LAWS; PLAN OF OPERATION
A. There is hereby established the White Mountain Apache Utility Authority.
B. The Utility Authority shall be governed by the By-Laws and the Plan of Operation approved by the Tribal Council on November 1, 1972, as amended.
C. A copy of the By-Laws and Plan of Operation of the Utility Authority, as amended, shall be available for public inspection during business hours at the office of the Utility Authority.
Article 2 - Notice and Hearing Requirements
[historical note: this article is derived from ordinance 144, enacted on April 18, 1984. ordinance 144 rescinded ordinance 136.]
SECTION 6.2 DECLARATION OF PURPOSE
The purpose of this Article is (1) to require the Utility Authority to provide notice to customers that their utility account is delinquent and their services are subject to disconnection unless the account is paid by a specified date; (2) to provide an opportunity for the customer to be heard before a Utility Grievance Committee so that the customer may show just cause as to why his or her utility services should not be disconnected; (3) to provide for emergency situations where a customer is unable to appear before the disconnection date; and (4) to provide penalties against the Utility Authority for failure to provide proper notice and a grievance procedure to a customer.
SECTION 6.3 LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION
This Article shall be liberally construed to effect its objects and to promote justice.
For the purposes of this Article the following words and phrases have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
A. "conspicuous print": Lettering which is in clear black form, positioned so that a customer may find it, and large enough to be easily seen.
B. "disconnection notice": A warning mailed at the end of the 15 day payment period to pay the monthly bill which notifies a customer that he/she has 10 days from the postmarked mailing date to either pay the bill or file a timely appeal. It is mailed separately from the monthly bill.
C. "emergency": Any unexpected situation which suddenly arises and necessitates the immediate departure of the customer to a place other than the Fort Apache Indian Reservation so as to prevent the customer from making arrangements for timely payment of his/her month bill.
D. "just cause": Any reason designated by the Grievance Committee as one justifying a reasonable person not to pay his/her utility bill on time. Guidelines for determining "just cause" will be prepared by the Grievance Committee.
E. "utility billing card": The monthly statement reflecting the amount due for services rendered by the Authority; the type and amount of services rendered; the due date; the debtor's name and address; creditor's name, address, and telephone number; the Utility collection policy, and notification to the customer of his/her right to an appeal.
F. "Utility Grievance Committee": The committee of three individuals appointed by the Tribal Council who will hear appeals and issue directives regarding a matter which has been appealed.
G. "working days": Any regular day of business Monday through Friday, not including weekends and holidays.
This Article does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred and proceedings that were commenced before its effective date.
The White Mountain Apache Tribal Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all legal proceedings arising out of this Article after administrative procedures before the Utility Authority have been exhausted.
SECTION 6.7 NOTICE OF COLLECTION POLICY; NOTICE OF RIGHT TO APPEAL
A. A collection policy notice and a notice of right of appeal shall appear on the reverse side of each utility billing card. This notification shall be printed conspicuously in plain English.
B. Collection Policy Notice. The collection policy notice shall be printed conspicuously and shall read as follows:
COLLECTION POLICY
all bills are due and payable upon receipt. they are past due 15 days after the statement date. if payment is not received within 10 days after the past due date, the bill is delinquent and your water and sewer service may be disconnected. if you need to make payment arrangements on your account call 338-4825.
C. Notice of Right to Appeal. Notice of the right to an appeal shall be printed below the collection policy notice on each billing card. This notice shall be printed conspicuously and shall read as follows:
RIGHT TO APPEAL
if you are dissatisfied with the results obtained by an investigation of your bill or service complaint by utility personnel you have a right to appeal to:
utility grievance committee
utility authority
p.o. box 517
whiteriver, arizona 85941
(602) 338-4825
you have two working days from receipt of a disconnection notice to file an appeal.
SECTION 6.8 DISCONNECTION NOTICE
A. If a customer does not pay his or her bill within the twenty-five (25) days specified in the monthly bill, a second notice shall be issued to the customer by the Utility Authority. This notice is the disconnection notice and shall give the customer ten days from the postmarked date to contact the Utility Authority regarding payments or to pay the bill for utilities. The notice shall specify the amount due and time allowed for the customer to pay the entire bill or to make arrangements with the Authority. This notice shall be printed conspicuously and shall include the following:
DISCONNECTION NOTICE
your water and sewer service account is now delinquent and your service will be disconnected if you do not make payment arrangements with the utility authority within ten days of the date of the postmark on this notice.
B. Every disconnection notice shall also contain the Notice of Right to Appeal prescribed by Section 6.7C.
C. No water or sewer service provided by the Utility Authority shall be disconnected and/or discontinued if the notices required by Section 6.7 and Section 6.8 have not been issued to the customer.
SECTION 6.9 RIGHT TO HEARING, PROCEDURES, UTILITY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, DECISIONS
A. Any customer, who wants to show just cause as to why his or her services should not be disconnected, may request a hearing of the Utility Grievance Committee by contacting the Utility Authority within 2 working days after receipt of disconnection notice.
B. Disconnection of service shall not occur until there is a final resolution of the matter by the grievance committee.
C. Once a request for hearing has been filed with the Utility Authority, a date shall be set for a hearing. The hearing shall be held within 5 working days from the date of request.
D. A utility Grievance Committee shall hear the matter to determine if the customer has shown just cause as to why his water and sewer services should not be suspended. If just cause is shown, the committee shall issue a directive to the Utility Authority on how to resolve the bill. If a further dispute exists on behalf of the Utility Authority, the matter may be pursued by either party in the Tribal Court for resolution. Services shall not be suspended during this appellate period.
E. The Utility Grievance Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the Tribal Council and shall be appointed for a term of 2 years each. Committee members shall be granted administrative leave for the time they are in committee session.
SECTION 6.10 EMERGENCY PROVISION
Whenever a customer has been called away on a emergency outside the exterior boundaries of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, said emergency shall constitute just cause not to disconnect his or her water and sewer services. The customer shall inform the Authority of this emergency verbally prior to departure and in writing at the commencement of any Utility Grievance Committee proceedings. Reasonable arrangements for payment of the customer's bill shall be made upon his or her return from the emergency. Service shall not be disconnected pending the customer's return to the reservation.
SECTION 6.11 PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ARTICLE
Where the Utility Authority disconnects service without issuing the notices required by Section 6.7 and 6.8 and/or without justifiable cause, the Utility Authority shall be liable for triple damages to the customer unless the lessor, or the lessor's agent, or the customer's landlord have made the request for disconnection. Triple damages shall be based upon three times the sum of the cost of resumption of services and the amount of the bill outstanding at the time of the disconnection.
SECTION 6.12 SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY NOT WAIVED
This Article shall not constitute consent by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, its sub-organizations, or any agent there of to be sued in any Court. This Article does not constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the White Mountain Apache Tribe for any purpose.
SECTION 6.13 SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If any provisions of this Article or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Article which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this Article are severable.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COMMISSION
[Chapter Seven, Hazardous Materials Commission, has been rescinded in its entirety by Ordinance No. 194 codified as Chapter One of the White Mountain Apache Environmental Code]
PRESERVATION OF RELIGIOUS SITES
[historical note: chapter eight is derived from ordinance 163, enacted December 13, 1991]
SECTION 8.1 STATEMENT OF TRIBAL POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE INTENT
The right of religious freedom is guaranteed to Indian people by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution of the United States, the Indian Civil Rights Act and Tribal law and custom. Recognizing this right and that the White Mountain Apache People alone have the absolute, inherent, retained sovereign right to use and enjoy the White Mountain Apache Reservation, and to govern its use by members and non-members, the Tribal Council intends that tribal members shall be afforded the greatest possible freedom to practice traditional religion, to have access to religious sites and to protect such sites from desecration and destruction.
The Tribal Council of the White Mountain Apache Tribe has the obligation and possesses the authority to set aside for the protection of the people of the White Mountain Apache Tribe certain plots of land as religious sites for exclusive use of persons practicing traditional Apache religion. Pursuant to said obligation and authority the Tribal Council of the White Mountain Apache Tribe hereby sets aside certain portions of land described in this Chapter as designated sacred and religious sites for exclusive use by persons practicing traditional Apache Religion.
SECTION 8.3 RESTRICTED USE OF RELIGIOUS SITES
A. It shall be unlawful for any person other than persons practicing traditional Apache religion to enter any area designated as a religious site without the express permission of the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council or the express permission of those persons practicing traditional Apache religion at such sites.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to excavate, remove, alter or deface any area designated as a religious site or any property found therein.
SECTION 8.4 DESIGNATED RELIGIOUS SITES
A. The following areas shall be designated as sacred and Religious Sites and are hereby set aside for the exclusive use of
persons practicing traditional Apache Religion and are subject to the restrictions promulgated by this Chapter:
(1) The area known as the Holy Grounds, more properly described in Apache as "The Place of the Sacred Cane" and legally
described below:
A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE KINISHBA AREA, WITHIN THE NE ¼ SECTION 18 T5N, 522E, G&SRB&M, ON THE FORT
APACHE INDIAN RESERVATION, GILA COUNTY, STATE OF ARIZONA, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
COMMENCING AT A BRASS CAP LOCATED AT THE EAST QUARTER CORNER OF SECTION 18, T5N, R22E, AND RUNNING;
THENCE N 48º56'30" W FOR A DISTANCE OF 2212.65 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING;
THENCE S 63º34'12" E FOR A DISTANCE OF 581.38 FEET; THENCE S 22º29'05" W FOR A DISTANCE OF 465.00 FEET; THENCE N 67º30'55"
W FOR A DISTANCE OF 310.00 FEET; THENCE N 38º27'36" W FOR A DISTANCE OF 308.87 FEET; THENCE N 22º29'05" E FOR A DISTANCE
OF 355 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING.
CONTAINING 5.99 ACRES MORE OR LESS.
A. Recognizing the White Mountain Apache tradition of using restitution as a remedy for injustice or wrong doing, the Tribal Council hereby declares that this code is civil in nature and that restitution shall be the primary remedy for its violation, except that as to persons subject to the criminal jurisdiction of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, criminal sanctions may also be imposed as provided in Section 8.6 of this Chapter.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, all matters arising under this Chapter shall be adjudicated in the White Mountain Apache Tribal Court following the filing of a civil complaint, naming the White Mountain Apache Tribe as plaintiff by the authorized officer alleging the violation, or by legal counsel for the Tribe.
C. Any violator of this Chapter, who is adjudicated and found guilty by the Tribal Court for violation of this Chapter, may be charged a restitution fee not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) plus all expenses incurred for case investigation, court costs and attorney's fees.
SECTION 8.6 CRIMINAL SANCTIONS
Any person who is subject to the criminal jurisdiction of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and is found guilty of a violation of this Chapter, may be imprisoned for a period of not to exceed one year and be fined in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or both.
SECTION 8.7 REPRESENTATION OF THE TRIBE IN ACTIONS ARISING UNDER THIS CHAPTER
The Tribal Prosecutor or, in the case of conflict of interest, such other counsel for the Tribe as the Tribal Council may designate, shall represent the Tribe in all actions arising under this Chapter to which the Tribe is a party, whether such actions are civil or criminal.
Violation of this Chapter by non-members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe constitutes immediate revocation of express or implied permission to remain on or enter the reservation and shall be considered a trespass in violation of the laws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
SECTION 8.9 FEDERAL PROSECUTION
This Chapter has been enacted to protect the resources of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the taking or using of tribal property or services contrary to the terms of the Chapter constitutes theft of tribal assets. Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to preclude the federal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. §1165 of non-members who trespass on the reservation. Any authorized officer may follow the procedure provided by Tribal Law to initiate federal prosecution in addition to or in lieu of any other enforcement procedure provided for by this Chapter.
Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to preclude the use of the remedy of exclusion of non-members for violation of this Chapter and any authorized officer may follow the procedure provided by Tribal law to initiate an action for exclusion in addition to or in lieu of any other enforcement procedure provided for by this Chapter.
SECTION 8.11 DISPOSITION OF RESTITUTION AND FINES
Any funds received from fines or restitution shall be utilized for the reconstruction and/or repair of religious sites or property therein.
PERMANENT TRUST FUND
[historical note: chapter nine is derived from ordinance no. 175, enacted October 3, 1991; ordinance 175, providing for the permanent trust fund was originally codified as chapter eight of the government code, however, due to a previous codification of ordinance no. 163 as chapter eight of the government code, ordinance 174 has been recodified as chapter nine]
In past years, the White Mountain Apache Tribe accumulated substantial surplus earnings primarily through its major enterprise, the Fort Apache Timber Company. Necessary reductions in the annual allowable cut to preserve the Tribe's forests for future generations requires that the Tribal Council establish a permanent and dependable source of revenue into the future to protect against loss of revenue as natural resources become significantly reduced or depleted and to enable the White Mountain Apache Tribe to become less dependant on outside sources for income. Accordingly, a permanent trust fund is established as protection and security for the Tribe and its future generations.
SECTION 9.2 AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH PERMANENT TRUST FUND
A. Article V, Section 1 of the Amended Constitution and Bylaws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe provides that in addition to all powers vested in the White Mountain Apache Tribal council by existing law, the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council shall exercise certain enumerated powers conferred by Section 16 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984) as amended, which enumerated powers shall not be construed pursuant to Article V, Section 1(u) of the Constitution, to limit the powers of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
B. Article V, Section 1(a),(b),(h),(i) and (k) collectively provide in pertinent part that the Tribal Council shall represent the tribe and act in all matters that concern the welfare of the tribe, negotiate, make and perform contracts and agreements of every description, regulate the uses and disposition of tribal property, manage all economic affairs and enterprises of the tribe, appropriate tribal funds for tribal purposes and to expend such funds in accordance with an annual budget approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
SECTION 9.3 TRUST FUND ESTABLISHED
A. The Tribal Council of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, pursuant to the authority set forth in Section 9.2 hereby establishes a permanent nonexpendable trust fund for the welfare of the Tribe in accordance with provisions of this Chapter.
SECTION 9.4 INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT DEPOSITS BY TRIBAL TREASURER
A. The Treasurer of the White Mountain Apache Tribe shall transfer an initial amount of $1 million dollars into a trust fund to be called the Permanent Trust Fund.
B. Monies deposited into the Permanent Trust Fund pursuant to this Chapter shall not be encumbered, subject to, pledged or assigned as collateral or security for any tribal debt, letter of credit, loan or note of any kind whatsoever.
C. The Tribal Chairman and the Tribal Treasurer of the White Mountain Apache Tribe shall act on behalf of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in respect to the establishment and operation of trust accounts associated with the Permanent Trust Fund.
SECTION 9.5 CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENT
After the initial deposit of $1 million dollars has been made by the Tribal Treasurer to establish the Permanent Trust Fund, eight (8%) percent of the total, revenue, exclusive of other financing sources and uses, of the General Fund of the Tribe adjusted by the net operating interfund transfers of the General Fund exclusive of interfund transfers to the Permanent Trust Fund, shall be deposited in the Permanent Trust Fund. The transfer of said funds to the Permanent Trust Fund shall be made in twelve monthly installments. The calculation of the annual amount contributed to the Permanent Fund will be prepared by the Tribal Treasurer within 30 days of the receipt of the audited financial statements of the Tribe. The Tribe's independent auditors will provide to the Tribal Council a letter which opines on the appropriateness of the calculation prepared by the Tribal Treasurer.
A. Any change in the Contribution Requirement shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Tribal council, provided that in no event shall the Annual Contribution Requirement exceed 12% or be less than five (5%) percent or Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), whichever is greater.
B. The funds transferred by the Treasurer of the Tribe to the Permanent Trust Fund shall be retained by the Tribe, invested by direction of the Tribal Council and accumulated for the future welfare of the Tribe. Neither the principal of said fund nor the net investment income earned, including unrealized gains and losses on the investment securities or any other investments by said fund, shall be expended for a minimum of twenty (20) years after monies commence to accumulate therein, except for expenses associated with administration of the fund. Thereafter, all income from the Permanent Trust Fund after adjustment for inflation may be expended, but only by Tribal Council Resolution, pursuant to an approved budget.
A. Permanent Trust Fund monies shall not be invested in the following:
(1) Loans to or other investments in Tribal entities;
(2) Commodities;
(3) Options of Futures Contracts;
(4) Real Estate;
(5) Non-investment grade debt securities;
(6) Equity securities or other equity interests not actively traded on a national securities market.
(7) Any other speculative investments that do not meet the criteria of investment policies established by the Tribal Council.
B. Investment Policy and Management of Trust Funds. After the initial $1 million dollar deposit is made by the Tribal Treasurer to establish the fund, the Tribal Council shall direct the Tribal Treasurer to prepare comprehensive investment policies and procedures for the Permanent Trust Fund for approval by the Tribal Council. Modification of the policies so developed shall require approval by a two-thirds majority vote of the Tribal Council.
SECTION 9.7 SITUS OF THE PERMANENT TRUST FUND
The construction and validity of the Permanent Trust Fund established herein shall be governed by the laws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and such federal laws as may be applicable.
This Ordinance shall not be repealed except by referendum pursuant to Article X of the Amended Constitution and Bylaws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
In the event any provision of this Ordinance is determined to be unlawful or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and in full force and effect.
BINGO AND GAMING REGULATIONS
[CHAPTER TEN, BINGO AND GAMING REGULATIONS HAS BEEN RESCINDED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE APPROVED GAMING ORDINANCE OF THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE, CODIFIED AS THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE GAMING CODE]
Curated by:
Marilyn K. Nicely, Retired Law Librarian:
mnicely@ou.edu