• San Carlos Apache Cultural Adv Council Procedures on Research 

    The document details the procedures required for conducting research or recording activities involving San Carlos Apache traditional culture. It requires non-Tribal researchers to submit comprehensive proposals to both the Tribal Council and the Elder’s Cultural Advisory Council, outlining project intent, methodology, ethical considerations, benefits to the Tribe, Tribal member involvement and compensation, and informed consent plans. The Tribe must be actively consulted and allowed to review and influence project outcomes, with clear agreements on ownership and confidentiality, particularly for sensitive information. The Tribe retains the right to terminate any project that deviates from approved plans without proper consultation, ensuring the protection of its cultural heritage and the enforcement of ethical research standards.

  • Pasqua Yaqui Regulatory Code, Research Protection

    The Pascua Yaqui Research Protection Ordinance of 2008 establishes a comprehensive system for overseeing research involving the Pascua Yaqui Reservation or its members, prioritizing the protection of tribal people, culture, and resources. It mandates tribal ownership and control of research data, requires tribal participation at all research stages, and creates a Research Review Committee (RRC) to evaluate proposals for informed consent, confidentiality, respect, equity, and empowerment. The ordinance sets strict requirements for research proposals, including clear objectives, benefits, risks, consent procedures, and data management plans, and includes special rules for biological samples, intellectual property, and traditional knowledge, particularly regarding commercialization and data sharing. Enforcement mechanisms include penalties for violations, the right to withdraw approval, deny access, and seek legal remedies, and all research publications must receive Tribal Council approval before dissemination.

  • Navajo Nation Human Research Code

    The Navajo Nation Human Research Code establishes the legal framework for conducting research involving human subjects within the Navajo Nation, detailing the creation and authority of the Human Research Review Board to oversee all related research activities. The Code prioritizes the protection of individuals from harmful or intrusive research, requires informed consent, and mandates confidentiality and data security. It asserts the Navajo Nation’s ownership and oversight of research data, sets conditions for research permits, and outlines procedures for application, review, progress reporting, and enforcement, including penalties for violations. The Code also ensures research aligns with Navajo health, education, and cultural priorities, and provides mechanisms for appeal and ongoing review.

  • Hopi Protocol for Research, Publications, and Reporting 

    The Hopi Protocol for Research, Publications, and Reporting establishes comprehensive guidelines to safeguard the privacy and intellectual property of the Hopi people. It requires that all research, publications, and recordings involving Hopi knowledge or culture be reviewed and approved by the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office. The protocol mandates detailed project proposals addressing intent, benefits, risks, consent, privacy, confidentiality, use of recording devices, ownership, compensation, and Indian preference in employment. The Hopi Tribe retains the authority to prevent unauthorized publication, require material deposits, deny permits, and review all products before publication to protect sensitive information and prevent misrepresentation. The protocol underscores cooperative enforcement and the Hopi Tribe’s control over the dissemination and use of its cultural heritage, with contact information for the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office provided for further guidance.

  • Ho-Chunk Nation Tribal Research Codes

    The Ho-Chunk Nation Tribal Research Code, enacted in 2005, establishes the legal and ethical framework for conducting research within the Nation’s jurisdiction, prioritizing the protection of tribal members, culture, and intellectual property. Administered by the Ho-Chunk Nation Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Code requires all research—regardless of whether it involves human subjects—to obtain IRB approval and a permit. It defines key terms, outlines application requirements to ensure ethical standards, confidentiality, and community involvement, and details enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violations, all aimed at safeguarding the Nation’s interests and ensuring responsible research practices on Ho-Chunk lands and with Ho-Chunk resources.

  • Colorado River Indian Tribes Human and Cultural Research Code

    The Colorado River Indian Tribes Human and Cultural Research Code sets forth comprehensive standards and procedures for conducting research on the Colorado River Indian Reservation, aiming to protect the Tribe’s physical, cultural, and intellectual property, preserve land and traditions, and safeguard the rights and well-being of research participants. The Code applies to all research within the Reservation and requires review and approval by a seven-member Ethics Review Board (ERB) appointed by the Tribal Council. The ERB oversees proposal review, informed consent, research monitoring, and publication approval. The Code details requirements for proposal submission, confidentiality, record retention, intellectual property, and outlines procedures for appeals, enforcement, and penalties, emphasizing cultural sensitivity, equitable participant selection, and protection of both individual and communal rights.

  • Hopi Children’s Code

    The Hopi Children’s Code, last updated in 1991, provides the legal framework for the care, protection, and rights of children within the Hopi Tribe. It defines terms such as abuse, neglect, and abandonment, and outlines the responsibilities of parents, guardians, and tribal authorities. The Code establishes procedures for the Children’s Court, including jurisdiction, due process, rights to counsel, and confidentiality. It details the roles of Child Protective Services, processes for reporting and investigating abuse or neglect, emergency custody, and shelter care. The Code addresses parental rights and duties, custody transfers, support obligations, and the grounds and process for termination of parental rights, with special provisions for Hopi cultural practices. It also covers the handling of minors in need of care, juvenile offenders, and specific violations, emphasizing family unity, rehabilitation, and the best interests of the child, while providing for civil penalties and referencing related tribal laws.

  • Guardianship Ordinance Sauk-Suiattle Tribe

    The Guardianship Ordinance of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe, part of the Family Code, establishes guardianship as a culturally appropriate alternative to termination of parental rights or adoption, emphasizing the Tribe’s tradition of raising children within the extended family and community. Any adult may petition for guardianship, which requires a detailed petition, a home study, and a report by the Indian Child Welfare Worker in consultation with social services and the Indian Child Welfare Committee. The court may appoint a guardian with parental consent or if the child is found to be in need of care, prioritizing the best interests of the child and the tribal community. Placement preference is given to extended family, tribal members, or others who support the child’s tribal affiliation. Guardians have parental-like powers with certain limitations, such as restrictions on moving the child far from the tribal center or consenting to adoption. The ordinance prioritizes preserving family ties and tribal identity in all guardianship decisions.

  • Eastern Band of Cherokee Child and Family Services Plan

    The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 2014-2019 Child and Family Services Plan details the Tribe’s transition to self-administered child welfare and family support services, previously managed by external agencies. The plan prioritizes preserving Cherokee heritage, language, and family structure, aiming to restore and strengthen Native American families through culturally relevant, family-centered approaches. Key objectives include providing in-home support to at-risk families, promoting family reunification, recruiting Cherokee foster families, and offering parenting education. The plan emphasizes collaboration with federal, state, and county partners, integration of behavioral health and social services, staff training, disaster preparedness, and ongoing technical assistance, all while ensuring compliance with regulations and honoring tribal sovereignty and culture.

  • Children’s Code Ordinance Forest County Potawatomi

    The Forest County Potawatomi Children’s Code Ordinance establishes the legal framework for child welfare within the Tribal Lands, granting the Tribal Court jurisdiction over cases involving the care, protection, and welfare of children. It defines key terms, outlines procedures for taking children into custody and criteria for detention, and details the rights of children and parents during legal proceedings. The ordinance covers adoption processes, including eligibility, placement preferences, and required investigations, as well as the termination of parental rights, all with an emphasis on the best interests of the child and due process. It also specifies the roles of Indian Child Welfare Workers, mandates the reporting of child abuse and neglect, and ensures confidentiality and proper maintenance of records. The code aligns with the Indian Child Welfare Act, prioritizing the preservation of tribal culture and family integrity while safeguarding child safety and well-being.