Resolution No. 063-92

WHEREAS, the Grand Ronde Tribal Council, pursuant to Article III, Section I of the Tribal Constitution approved November 30, 1984 by the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary on Indian Affairs, is empowered to exercise all legislative and executive authority not specifically vested in the General Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon; and,

WHEREAS, the Grand Ronde Tribe has a Tribal Burial Fund established on January 2, 1989; and

WHEREAS, the Tribe has a Cemetery Committee to assist the Tribal Council with policy issues relevant to the Grand Ronde Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, the Tribal Council has adopted a Resolution placing administration of the Tribal Burial Fund in the Cemetery Committee on August 16, 1989; and

WHEREAS, the Cemetery Committee has recommended to the Council that the Tribal Burial Fund administration be made a tribal staff function; and

WHEREAS, the Tribal Council has determined there is a need to transfer administration of the Tribal Burial Fund from the Cemetery Committee to the Tribe's Vital Statistics/Enrollment office,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tribal Council hereby adopts the Tribal Burial Fund Ordinance.

CERTIFICATION: The Tribal Council for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon passed this Resolution at a regularly scheduled meeting with a quorum present as required by the Grand Ronde Tribal Constitution held December 2, 1992, by a vote of 6 yes, 0 no, and 0 abstentions.

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Mark Mercier, Chairman

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Candy Robertson, Secretary

(a) PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY: The purpose of this Ordinance is to set requirements for the use of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon's Burial Benefit. The Tribe recognizes the special financial burden families suffer at the time of a family member's death and desires to provide some assistance to families with the costs of funerals. This authorization is found in Article III, § 1 of the Tribal Constitution.

(b) DEFINITIONS: For the purposes of this Ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Burial Benefit" or "benefit" shall mean the benefit established by the Tribal Council to assist with the costs incurred for funeral services and burial of Tribal members and their non-member children, parent and spouses.

(2) "Burial Fund" or "fund" shall mean the fund established by the Tribal Council from which burial benefits are paid.

(3) "Parent" shall mean natural parent, adoptive parent or step—parent. This definition does not apply to a man whose paternity for any tribal member is not established. Stepparent is defined as the current, legal spouse of a natural or adoptive parent of a minor tribal member.

(4) "Tribe" shall mean the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon.

(5) "Vital Statistics" shall mean the vital statistics section of the Enrollment Office of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

(c) TRIBAL BURIAL BENEFIT:

(1) Any Tribal member or spouse or parent of a tribal member may apply for payment of a burial benefit for any deceased family member who is a tribal member or their non-member child, parent, or spouse. Adopted children, whether by law or Tribal custom, are eligible for payment on the same basis as natural children. To establish family status of non—members, the applicant or other individual shall provide the same evidence as is required under the Enrollment Ordinance, provided, however, that in the case of a spouse, a marriage certificate must be provided.

(2) To obtain payment of a burial benefit, application must be made to Vital Statistics within 30 days of the date of death, and required documentation submitted within 90 days of the date of death.

(3) The Tribe will pay burial benefits up to a maximum of $3,000 directly to the funeral service provider chosen by the applicant. The amount of the benefit shall be paid out of the Tribal Burial Fund.

(4) Arrangements will be made by a representative of the deceased, the provider and Vital Statistics. Invoices from the provider will be submitted to Vital Statistics.

(5) Vital Statistics will prepare and maintain a list of funeral providers and their costs within western Oregon and adjacent areas.

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE: This Ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 1993.

(e) RECEPTION BENEFIT:

(1) Any Tribal member or spouse or parent of a Tribal member who has applied for payment under §(c) above may apply for payment of a reception benefit of up to $150.00 per funeral. The reception benefit shall be applied to food and/or food preparation costs for the funeral reception.

(2) Application for a Reception Benefit shall be in the same manner as that for a burial benefit. Payment shall be made to the Applicant.

I hereby certify this to be a true copy of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Burial Fund Ordinance.

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Tribal Council Secretary