# WHITE EARTH BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS

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## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

a

WHITE EARTH BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS
RESOLUTION NO. 001-97-019

WHEREAS, the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians is one of the six constituent
bands governed by the Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe as
approved on March 3, 1964, by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe is organized under Section 16 of the act of
June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), as amended; and

WHEREAS, Article I of the Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota
Chippewa Tribe provides authority for the Reservation Business Committee to pass such
ordinances as are necessary to promote the general welfare of the members of the Tribe; and

WHEREAS, the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians, pursuant to constitutional
authority deems it in the best interest of the Tribe to enact a Protection of Burial Grounds Code;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to constitutional authority, the White Earth Band of
Chippewa Indians hereby enacts the Protection of Burial Code.

We do hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance was duly presented and adopted by a
voteof 4 for, © Against, and © silent, at a regular meeting of the
White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians Tribal Council meeting, a quorum present, held on the

/ day of April,.1997, at Pine Point, Minnesota.

JEk "Bugger" MéArhtur, Chairman -

Dare

Erma Vizohg ir, or obi easurer

WHITE EARTH TRIBAL HISTORICAL PRESERVATION ACT

PROTECTION OF BURIAL GROUNDS CODE

BY
DOUGLAS "MICKEY" HODGES
DIRECTOR OF CULTURAL RESOURCES

WHITE EARTH RESERVATION
Section

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TITLE I - HISTORIC PRESERVATION

‘Title

Legislative Findings - Federal
Laws Preemption

Definitions
Establishment of the Cultural

Resources Alliance Board -
Membership

Powers and Duties of the Board.
Undertakings Off-Reservation
Undertakings On-Reservation

Disposition of Archaeological
Resources

Governmental Rule Making
Annual Reports
Records

Cooperation with Agencies and
Organizations .

Comprehensive Plan
Tribal Register
National Register
Education

Powers and Duties of the
Department

Nominations to the Tribe’s
Register

Nominations to National

Register
Assistance to the Board
Records, Salvage

Tribally-Owned Properties
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Transfer of Property on the
Tribal Register

. Promote Preservation Efforts

Annual Report

Damaging of Adverse Effect:
Prohibited Acts

Permits,
Contents

Applications,
Application: Where Filed
Criteria

Board Action

Permit. Terms and Conditions
Duration of a Permit

Interim Permits

Duties of Permittees

Suspension and Revocation of
Permits. Grounds

Hearing

Emergency Suspensions/Stop Work

Orders

Tribal Register of
Archaeological and Historic
Properties. Nominations and
Acceptance

Tribal Vadertakings ~ Listed

Property

National Register. Nomination
of Reservation Properties

Tribal Undertakings Upon
Properties Listed in National
Register

Survey and Comprehensive Plan.
Comprehensive Survey

Comprehensive Plan

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Nondisclosure

., Enforcement. Offense

Criminal

Civil

Regulation by Board

Review By

Cultural Items Presently Used
Severability

TITLE IIT - PROTECTION OF BURIAL GROUNDS
Definitions

Permits

Violation Penalties

Force and Effect of Statute

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Section 1,

Section 2.

Section 2.01.

Section 2.02,

Section 2.03.

Section 2.04.

Section 2.05.

Section 2.06.

TITLE I - HISTORIC PRESERVATION

7 Title. This statute shall be known as the

White Earth Band of Minnesota Chippewa Cultural
Resources Protection Statute.

Legislative Findings - Federal Laws Preemption.
Under the Federal Archaeological Resources
Protection Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C. § 470cc(c),
federal officials must notify the White Earth
Band of Minnesota Chippewa whenever a permit
application is being considered which might
adversely affect any religious or cultural offreservation site.

Under the Federal Archaeological Resources
Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. § 470cc(g) (2), no
federal permit for excavation or removal of any
archaeological resource located within the
jurisdiction of the White Earth Band of
Minnesota Chippewa will be issued without the
consent of the Tribal Council.

There can be no exchange or disposition of
archaeological resources from the White Earth

Band of Minnesota Chippewa without the consent

of the Tribe, pursuant to the Federal
Archaeological Resources Protection Act, 16
U.S.C. § 470dd.

The National Historic Preservation Act, 16
U.S.C. § 470 et seq., declared a national policy
to work in partnership with Indian tribal
governments to protect cultural resources and
provides a mechanism by which tribal governments
May carry out the provisions of that Act (16

U.S.C. § 470-1, 470 a(c).)

The Tribal Council finds that an orderly
procedure must be established for considering
the acting upon such notifications, request, and
review functions.

The National Historic Preservation Act does not
confer upon state governments the power to
nominate sites within Indian Reservations to the
National Register.

The Tribal Council finds that the power to make
such nominations to the National Register must
be exercised by the White Earth Band of

1
Section 3.

Section 3.01.

Section 3.02.

Section 3.03.

Section 3.04.

Minnesota Chippewa and that an effective
procedure must be established to carry out this

., activity.

The Tribal Council hereby declares its intent to
preempt the field of nominations to the National
Register of archaeological and historical sites
located with the White Earth Band of Minnesota
Chippewa.

Definitions. As used in this statute, the
following words and phrases shall each have the
designated meaning, unless a different meaning
is expressly provided for, or from the context a
different meaning is clearly indicated.

"Board" means the Cultural Resources Board.

"Department" means the Cultural Resources
Program.

"Archaeological Resources" means any remains of
past human life or activities which are of
archaeological or historical interest. Such
material remains shall include, but not be
limited to: pottery, basketry, bottles, weapons,
weapon projectiles, tools, structures, or
portions of structures, pit houses, rock
paintings, rock carvings, intaglios, talus slide
depressions, cairns, graves, human skeletal
remains, or any portion or piece of any of the
foregoing items. The material or remains may
also include non-fossilized or fossilized
paleontological specimens, or any portion or
piece thereof, whether or not found in an
archaeological context. No item shall be
treated as an archaeological or historic
resource unless such an item is as least fifty
years of age.

"Effect" means any condition of the undertaking
that causes or may cause any change, beneficial
or adverse, in the quality of the historical,
architectural, archaeological, or cultural
characteristics that qualify the property to
meet the criteria of the Tribe’s Register or the
National Register. An effect occurs when an
undertaking changes the integrity of location,
design, setting, materials, workmanship, felling
or association of the property that contributes
to its significance in accordance with the
Tribal Register or the National Register

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Section

Section

Section

Section

3.05.

3.06.

3.07.

3.08.

criteria. An effect may be direct or indirect.
Direct effects are caused by the undertaking and

-, occur at the same time and place. Indirect

effects include those caused by the undertaking
that are later in time or farther removed in
distance, but are foreseeable. Such effects may
include changes in the pattern of land use,
population, density or growth rate that may
affect any properties of historical,
architectural, archaeological or cultural
significance.

"Historic property" means any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure or
object significant in tribal history,
architecture, archaeology, culture or religion.
The term includes all artifacts, records,
remains and reburial sites designated by the
Cultural Resources Board.

"Tribal Register or Historic and Archaeological
Properties" means the tribal register of
districts, sites, buildings, structures and
objects significant in tribal history,
architecture, archaeology or culture, as
determined by the Board and maintained by the
Department .

"National Register" means the National Register
of Historic Places.

"Undertaking" means any governmental,
governmentally assisted or licensed action,
activity or program or the approval, sanction,
assistance, or support of any non-governmental
action, activity or program. Undertakings
include new and continuing projects and program
activities that are [1] directly undertaken by
government agencies; [2] supported in whole or
in part through governmental contracts, grants,
subsidies, loans, loan guarantees or other forms
of direct or indirect funding assistance; [3]
carried out pursuant to a governmental lease,
permit, license, certificate, approval or other
form of entitlement or permission; or, [4]
proposed by a Federal, State or other
governmental agency for legislative
authorization or appropriation. Site-specific
undertakings affect areas and properties that
are capable of being identified at the time of
approval by the governmental agency. Non-sitespecific undertakings have effects that can be

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3.10.

3.11.

4.

4.01.

4.02.

4.03.

anticipated on the Tribal Register or the
National Register and eligible properties but

, Cannot be identified in terms of specific

geographical areas or properties at the time of
approval. Non-site-specific undertakings
include Federal or State approval of Federal or
State plans pursuant to legislation, development
of comprehensive or area wide plans, agency
recommendations for legislation plans, and
establishment or modification of regulations and
planning guidelines.

"ARPA" means the Archaeological Resources
Protection Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C. § 470aa, et
seq.

"NHPA" means the National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, 16 U.S.C. § 470, et seq.

Establishment of the Cultural Resources Alliance
Board - Membership. The Board shall be composed
of the Director of the Cultural Resources
Department, the Chairperson of the Elderly
Advisory Board, the Tribal Archaeologist, the
Tribal Historian/Anthropologist, and the Tribal
Staff Attorney, as designated by the Tribal
Chairman.

Officers. The Board shall elect from among its
members a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and a
Secretary. In the absence of the Chairperson,
the Vice-Chairperson shall preside, and in the
absence of. both the Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson, the Secretary shall preside.

Quorum. Four members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum. The Chairperson will vote
only in the event of a tie.

Meetings. Meetings of the Board shall be held
at quarterly intervals. Emergency meetings may
be held within twelve hours of actual notice,
and business may be transacted provided that not
less than a majority of the full Board concurs.
in the proposed action.

Principal Office. The principal office of the
Board shall be the White Earth Reservation
Cultural Resources Office.

Oath of Office. Each member of the Board shail
take the following oath before beginning his/her

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Section 5.

Section 5.01.

Section 5.02.

Section 5.03.

Section 5.04.

duties:

"I promise to faithfully execute all provisions

‘of the Cultural Resources Protection Ordinance

and any regulations promulgated in furtherance
thereof, and to be bound by the White Earth
Statutes, the jurisdiction of the White Earth
Tribal courts, and to the White Earth Tribe and
to otherwise faithfully perform my duties as
outlined by the law."

Powers and Duties of the Board. Undertakings
Off-Reservation. The Board is empowered to
participate in the review of the permitting
process where a federal or state officer has or
should notify the Tribe pursuant to ARPA, 16
U.S.C. § 470cc(c), the NHPA, or American
Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1996, that an
undertaking is proposed or an application is
being considered for a permit which might
adversely affect any off-reservation
archaeological resource or historical property.

Undertakings On-Reservation. The Board is
authorized and directed to review any proposed
undertaking that might adversely affect any onreservation archaeological resource of historic
property included on or eligible for inclusion
on the Tribe’s Register or the National
Register. The Board is also empowered to
consider requests for consent to on-reservation
excavation or removal of archaeological
resources as an initial application or as
referred by officials acting pursuant to ARPA,
16 U.S.C. § 470cc(g) (2), the NHPA, or the
American Indian Religious Freedom Act.

Disposition of Archaeological Resources. The
Board is empowered to consider requests for
exchange or dispositions of archaeological
resources (see 16 U.S.C. § 470dd) and to

‘determine what conditions, if any, should be

attached if consent is given.

Governmental Rule Making. As directed by the
Tribal Chairman, the Board is empowered to
initiate, comment and participate in federal,
state of other governmental rule-making
processes concerning matters pertaining to its
expertise. See 16 U.S.C. § 470s, 470ii.

Annual Reports. The Board shall prepare a
Section 5.05.

Section 5.06,

Section 5.07.

Section 5.08.

Section 5.09.

comprehensive annual report for submission to
the Tribal Chairman, which shall report on the
activities carried out under the provisions of
this statute, and shall make such
recommendations as the Board deems appropriate
as to changes or improvements needed in the
provisions of this statute. Such report shall
include a summary of actions undertaken by the
Board in reviewing proposed undertakings,
applications for excavation or removal permits,
and nominations for the Tribe’s Register and the
National Register.

Records. The Board shall maintain records of
its proceedings. All proceedings shall be
documented in writing and distributed to the
Tribal Council not more than five days following
each meeting.

Cooperation with Agencies and Organizations.

The Board is authorized and directed to consult
and cooperate to the extent feasible with other
Tribal and non-Tribal governmental departments
and agencies, and with private organizations
involved in historical and archaeological
protection activities, including the National
Trust for Historic Preservation, the Inter-
National Center for the Study of Preservation
and Restoration of Cultural Property, museums
and organizations of professionals. Cooperation
activities shall include providing assistance to
other agencies and organizations, and
coordinating the planning and conduct of
historic preservation programs.

Comprehensive Plan. The Board is authorized and
directed to review the comprehensive White Earth
Integrated Resource Management Plan, 1993-2002,
prepared by the White Earth Biology Department
(Cultural Resources Plan). The Board is further
authorized to approve the plan and submit it to
the Tribal Chairman or to direct the Department
to change the plan until it meets with approval.

Tribal Register. The Board is authorized and
directed to review nominations of properties to
the Tribe’s Register submitted by the
Department, and to approve those that are
significant in tribal history, architecture,
archaeology, culture, or religion.

National Register. The Board is authorized and

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5.10.

6.

6.01A.

6.01B.

6.01c.

6.01D.

directed to review forms or reports proposing to
nominate properties to the National Register,

_ assure adequate public participation in the

nomination process, and to recommend to the
Tribal Chairman those properties it deems
appropriate for nomination for listing on the
National Register.

Education. The Board is authorized to develop
and operate a program of information and
education for tribal members and/or the general
public concerning cultural resources and
protection of properties listed on the Tribe’s
Register.

Powers and Duties of the Department. The
Cultural Resources Department shall have the
following duties and powers, which shall be in’
addition to such powers and duties provided by
prior Statutes of the White Earth Band of
Minnesota Chippewa as are not inconsistent with
this Statute:

Nominations to the Tribe’s Register. The
Department is directed to nominate to the Board
all sites, buildings, districts and objects
within the reservation that appear to qualify
for listing on the Tribe’s Register. The
Department shall, in order to compile the
information needed to make the nominations:

Conduct a comprehensive survey of all historic
properties on the reservation pursuant to
Section 13 of this Statute.

Compile an inventory that includes basic
information about the location and history of
each property.

Evaluate each property surveyed with regard to
its historic, archaeological, anthropological,
religious and cultural significance.

Based on the evaluation described in Section
6.01C., place each surveyed property into one of
four categories of significance.

Nominations to National Register. The
Department shall prepare nomination forms for
those properties that appear to be eligible for
placement on the National Register and present
them to the Board.

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Section

Section

Section

Section

Section

Section

6.03.

6.04.

6.05.

6.06.

6.07A.

6.073.

Assistance to the Board. The Department shall
assist and consult with the White Earth Tribal
Council and the Board on issues relating to the
conservation of historic and archaeological
resources and on other matters within the scope
of their duties.

Records, Salvage. The Department shall initiate
measures to ensure, at a minimum that when a
property listed on the Tribe’s Register is to be
substantially altered or affected, timely steps
be taken to make records, including measures
drawings, photographs and maps of the property.
A copy of the records must then be deposited in
the tribal archives for future use and
reference. The Department shall use its best
efforts to assure adequate surveying, testing,
salvage and analysis of artifacts, where such is
feasible.

Tribally-Owned Properties. The Department shall
initiate measures and procedures to provide for
the maintenance, preservation, rehabilitation,
or restoration of tribally-owned and registered
sites at professional standards prescribed by
the Director of the Department.

Transfer of Property on the Tribal Register.
The Department shall cooperate with purchasers
and transferors of any property iisted on the
Tribe’s Register in the development of viable
plans to use such property in a manner
compatible with preservation objectives and
which does not result in a unreasonable burden
to the landholder.

Promote Preservation Efforts. The Department is
authorized to take the following actions for the
purpose of promoting historic preservation
efforts:

Develop and make available to Tribal Agencies
information concerning professional methods and
techniques for identifying, preserving,
Stabilizing, improving, restoring and
maintaining archaeological and historic
properties.

Advise Tribal Agencies in the evaluation,
identification, preservation, stabilization,
improvement, restoration and maintenance of
historic and archaeological properties.

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Section 6.07C.

Section 6.07D.

Section 6.07E.

Section 6.08.

Section 7.

Section 7.01.

Section 8.

Encourage public interest and participation in
archaeological and historic preservation.

Conduct studies in such areas as the adequacy of
federal, state and tribal laws pertaining to
archaeological and historic preservation
activities.

Encourage training and education in the field of
archaeological and historic preservation.

Annual Report. The Department shall submit a
comprehensive annual report of its activities
and the results of its studies to the White
Earth Tribal Chairman and the Board, and from
time to time shall submit such additional and
special reports as the Department deems
advisable. These report may propose such
legislative enactments and other actions as the
Department deems necessary and appropriate to
carry out its recommendations.

Damaging of Adverse Effect: Prohibited Acts.
No person shall excavate, remove, damage or
otherwise alter, deface or adversely affect any
archaeological resource or historic property
unless such activity is pursuant to a permit
duly issued under this statute.

No person shall sell, purchase, exchange,
transfer, transport, receive, possess or offer
to sell, purchase or exchange any archaeological
resource or historic property if such resource
is excavated or removed from reservations lands
in violation of the prohibition contained in
Section 7 above.

Permits, Applications, Contents. An application
for a permit to excavate, remove, alter, damage,
or otherwise adversely affect archaeological
resources or historic properties from
reservation land shall include information
concerning the time, scope, location and
specific purpose of the proposed work, together
with such information as the Board deems
necessary. Each application must be accompanied
by a definite outline of the proposed work,
indicating the name of the individuals or group
making the request, the date proposed for
beginning the work, the length of time proposed
to be devoted to it and the person who will have
immediate charge of the work. The application

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Section

Section

Section

Section

Section

Section

8.01.

8.02.

8.02A.

8.02B.

8.02C.

8.02D.

8.03.

must also contain an exact statement of the
character of the work, whether examination,

_@excavation or gathering, the museum in which the

collections made under the permit are to
permanently preserved, and where such museum if
off-reservation, the length of time proposed by
the application before such collections are to
be returned to the reservation. The application
must be accompanied by a sketch plan and a legal
description of the particular site or area to be
affected, so definite that it can be located on
a map with accuracy. Each application shall
contain the promise of the applicant to abide
and be bound by all of the provisions of this
statute and by all other Tribal laws.

Application: Where Filed. Each application for
a permit must be filed with the Board and the
Director of the Cultural Resources Department.

Criteria. A permit may be issued pursuant to an
application submitted in strict accordance with
Section 8 and 8.01. above, if the Board
determines that:

The applicant has demonstrated its
qualifications to carry out the proposed
activity by submitting to the Board references.
and a resume showing prior successful experience
in archaeological field work, site surveying,
excavation techniques and reporting;

Adequate mitigation efforts are guaranteed that
will avoid any adverse effect on properties
included on or eligible for inclusion on the
Tribe’s Register or the National Register, or
that acceptance of an adverse effect on such
properties is clearly in the Tribe’s best
interest;

The archaeological resources or historic
properties which are excavated or removed will
remain the property of the Tribe; and,

The activity pursuant to such permit is not
inconsistent with any management plan applicable
to the lands concerned.

Board Action. The Board shall allow the
Department a reasonable opportunity to comment
on each application for a permit. The Board
shall make its decision to issue or deny a

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Section 8.04.

Section 8.05.

Section 8.06.

Section 8.06A.

permit within six months after the date the
application was filed, provided, however, that

., the Board may make an unlimited number of three-

month extensions of such review period upon
providing the applicant with a written
explanation of the factors requiring such an
extension. Applicants shall be notified of
Board action by certified mail.

Permit. Terms and Conditions. Any permit may
contain such terms and conditions that the Board
deems necessary to carry out the purposes of
this statute. Each permit shall identify the
individual who shall be responsible for carrying
out the terms and conditions of the permit and
for otherwise complying with this statute and
other laws applicable to the permitted
activities. The permit may contain provisions
requiring restoration of the site to its former
condition. Every permit shall be issued in the
name of the applicant therefore, and no permit
shall be transferable; nor shall the holder of
any permit allow any other person to use the
permit. The Board may require that a bond be
posted as a prerequisite to issuance of a
permit.

Duration of a Permit. Each permit shall be
effective for three years from the date of its
issuance or for such shorter period as may be
specified therein. The terms of each permit may
be extended by order of the Board for. proper
cause upon finding that the work has been
diligently completed under the permit. Failure
to begin work under a permit within six weeks
after it is granted, or failure to diligently
prosecute such work after it has begun, shall
make the permit void without any order or
proceeding by the Board.

Interim Permits. Persons who received approval
from the Board to excavate or adversely affect
any archaeological resource or historic property
prior to the date of the enactment of this
statute may receive an interim permit to
continue work during the period that their
application for a permit is pending before the
Board, under the following procedure;

Within thirty days after the date of the
enactment of this statute, such person shall
file with the Board a declaration, stating the

11
Section 8.06B.

Section 8.06C.

Section 9.

Section 10.

Section 10.01.

time approval was received, the location of the
property, the purpose of the work, and the work

done. The declaration shall be accompanied by

an application for a permit.

Upon filing of the declaration and the
application, the Board shall issue an interim
permit. If the Department determines that the
permit to affect the property was improperly
obtained, the Board shall revoke the interim
permit.

Such interim permit shall be in effect until the
Board approves or denies the application for the
permit.

Duties of Permittees. During the course of the
undertaking, each permittee shall report monthly
and quarterly to the Board. Monthly reports
shall contain a brief, summary statement of the
work performed during the month. Quarterly
reports shall contain a catalog of collections
and photographs made during the quarter. Each
permittee shall cooperate fully with any and all
inspections conducted by the Department or the
Board. No part of any collections shall leave
the Reservation unless the express written
consent of the Board has been given in the form
of a Temporary Removal License. Such license
shall at all times accompany the artifacts while
off the Reservation.

Suspension and Revocation of Permits. Grounds.
Any permit issued under this statute may be
suspended or revoked by the Board in accordance
with the procedures set forth below, upon
determination that the permittee has violated
any provision of the permit, this statute, or
other applicable law; that relevant
circumstances have changed since the granting of
the permit so that the application would no
longer meet the criteria of Section 8.02 above;
that material misrepresentations were contained
in the application; or that the permit was
improperly granted.

Hearing. Upon written notice specifying the
alleged grounds for revocation or suspension,
filed with the Board by the Chairperson or the
Director of the Cultural Resources Department,
the Board shall schedule a hearing to determine
the matter, which hearing shall not be less than

12
Section 10.02.

Section 11.

Section 11.01.

five days nor more than thirty days after the
service of such notice upon the permittee. The

_ permittee shall be entitled to an opportunity to

appear at such hearing and controvert the
allegations in support of revocation or
suspension.

Emergency Suspensions/Stop Work Orders. Upon
finding that a delay in suspending or revoking a
permit for the period required by a hearing
would be contrary to the Tribe’s interest in
preserving archaeological or historic
properties, the Board may issue a written stop
work order, directing the permittee to
immediately cease and desist all excavation,
removal or other activity pursuant to the
permit. It shall be unlawful for any person to
disobey a stop work order. In all cases where a
stop order has been issued, the Board shall
immediately schedule a hearing to determine the
matter, which hearing shall not be less than two
days nor more than ten days after the date of
the stop work order, unless continued by the
Board upon motion of the permittee.

Tribal Register of Archaeological and Historic
Properties. Nominations and Acceptance. There
is hereby established a Tribal Register of
Cultural Resources Properties, which shall be a
register of prehistoric or historic districts,
sites, buildings, structures and objects
significant in tribal history, architecture,
archaeology, culture or religion. Nominations
to the Tribal Register may be made by any
person. Acceptance or rejection of any
nomination shall be made by the Board.

Tribal Undertakings Upon Listed Property.
Whenever the White Earth Tribe has direct or
indirect jurisdiction over a proposed Tribal or
Tribal assisted undertaking, or has authority to
license or permit any undertaking, the Board
shall, prior to the approval of the expenditure
of any Tribal funds on the undertaking or prior
to the issuance of any license or permit, as the
case may be, take into account the effect of the
undertaking on any district, site, building,
structure or object that is included or eligible
for inclusion in the Tribes Register. The Board
and the Director shall be afforded a reasonable
opportunity to comment with regard to such
undertaking.

13
Section 12.

Section 12.01.

Section 13.

National Register. Nomination of Reservation
Properties. Nomination of any district, site,
building, structure, or object located within
the Reservation for inclusion in the National
Register shall be made by the White Earth Tribal
Council.

Tribal Undertakings Upon Properties Listed in
National Register. Whenever the Chairman of the
White Earth Tribal Council has direct or
indirect jurisdiction over a proposed Tribal or
Tribal assisted undertaking or has authority to
license any undertaking, the Board shall, prior
to the approval of the expenditure of Tribal
funds on the undertaking, or prior to the
issuance of any license or permit, as the case
may be, take into account the effect of the
undertaking on any district, site, building,
structure or object within the Reservation that
is included in or eligible for inclusion in the
National Register. The Board and the Director
of Cultural Resources shall be afforded a
reasonable opportunity to comment with regard to
such undertakings.

Survey and Comprehensive Plan. Comprehensive
Survey. A comprehensive Reservation-wide survey
of archaeological and historical properties
Shall be conducted by the Director of Cultural
Resources and submitted to the Board. The longrange objective of the comprehensive survey
shall be the identification, protection and
preservation of all archaeological resources,
districts, sites, buildings, structures and
objects within the Reservation that are
potentially significant to Tribal history,
architecture, archaeology, culture or religion.
The survey shall be conducted in as timely a
Manner as possible and shall encompass all
historic properties and archaeological
resources, regardless of title ownership.

Survey data shall be maintained by the
Department in an accessible location and shall
be kept up to date so that information is
readily available to Tribal Programs during the
decision making process. The survey data need
not be published but shall be physically
organized and indexed in a manner to provide for
easy access. Availability of survey data to the
general public shall be limited if, in the
opinion of the Department, such availability
might result in damage to archaeological

14
Section 13.01.

Section 14.

Section 15,

Section 15.01.

resources or historic properties.

., Comprehensive Plan. A comprehensive

Reservation-wide archaeological and historic
preservation plan shall be prepared by the
Department and submitted to the Board. The plan
shall consist of a report or series of reports
on the Reservation archaeological and historic
preservation program. These reports shall
describe, analyze and make future projections
about the program. The archaeological and
historic preservation plan shall include an
explanation of philosophy or rationale behind
the program components, a report on the current
status of each component, an evaluation of -the
effect of each component, and the projection of
future plans.

Nondisclosure. Information concerning the
nature and location of any archaeological
resource or historic property may not be made
available to any person unless the Director of
Cultural Resources determines that such
disclosure would further the purpose of the
statute and would not create an undue risk of
harm to such resources or the site at which such
resources are located. The Department and the
Board are authorized to withhold from disclosure
information relating to the location of sites or
objects listed on the Tribal Register or the
National Register upon a determination that the
disclosure of specific information would create
a risk of destruction or harm to such sites or
objects. .

Enforcement. Offense. It shall be unlawful for
any person to do any act, the performing of
which is prohibited under this statute or fail
to do any act, the performance of which is
required under this statute.

Criminal. The procedure established for
criminal offenses pursuant to the White Earth
Rules of Criminal Procedure shall be utilized
for violations of this statute. In the event
that the defendant pleads guilty or is found
guilty of committing an offense, the court may
impose all or any of the following penalties:
1) applicable fines pursuant to the White Earth
Criminal Code; 2) applicable jail sentences
pursuant to the White Earth Criminal Code; 3)
forfeiture of all articles seized by reason of

15
Section 15.02.

Section 16.

Section 17.

illegal activities prohibited by this statute,
and; 4) restitution for lost or destroyed

, articles or artifacts.

Civil. The White Earth Tribe may bring a civil
action against any person who is alleged to have
engaged in an activity which is in violation of
this statute, including any person who is not
subject to Tribal criminal jurisdiction. The
Tribe may also bring an action for forfeiture of
any articles possessed in violation of this
statute. Such civil penalty and forfeiture
actions shall be brought pursuant to the
procedures established in the White Earth Rules
and Civil Procedure. Such relief as may be
granted by the Court shall be intended to be
remedial in nature and not punitive and should
compensate the Tribe for the damage done to the
archaeological or historic resources of the
Reservation and its archaeological and historic
resources. Such relief shall also be intended
to coerce the individuals into obeying this
Statute and regulations promulgated hereto. The
Court may order search, seizure and forfeiture
of articles possessed in violation of this
Statute. The Court may also order the
forfeiture of any bond, the revocation of any
permits, the return of any property which has
been removed from the Reservation or the
restoration of any archaeological resources or
historic property to its former or customary
condition. In assessing civil penalties, the
court may consider as factors the archaeological
or commercial value of the resources involved,
or the cost of restoration and repair of the
resource and the archaeological or historic site
involved.

Regulation by Board. For the purpose of
carrying into effect the provisions of this
statute or of supplying any deficiency therein,
the Board may make such regulations not
inconsistent with the spirit and intent of this
Statute as are deemed necessary or advisable.
All such regulations shall have the same force
and effect as if incorporated in this Statute.

Review By. the Director of Cultural Resources
or any applicant or permittee aggrieved by an
decision of the Board may petition the Tribal
Court for a hearing to review such decision. A
written notice of appeal must be filed with the

16
Section

Section

Section

Section

Section

Section

Section

18.

19.

1.03.

Clerk of Courts within twenty days of such
adverse decision; provided, however, that such

, Limitation period shall not apply to ban the

petition of the Director of the Cultural
Resources Department where such would be
contrary to the Tribe’s interest in preservation
of archaeological resources or historic
properties.

Cultural Items Presently Used. In relationship
to the protection or conservation of historical
or archaeological resources, there is no
authority granted by this Statute that would
allow the Tribe or the Department to take,
regulate or preserve any item of traditional
Ojibwe religion or culture that is presently
being used or has been used by members of the
White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians without the
written approval of the present owner, keeper or
the appropriate religious leaders which are
concerned with the article.

Severability. If any provision of this Statute
or its application to any person or circumstance
is held to be invalid, the remainder of this
Statute or the application of the provision to
other persons or circumstances shall not be
affected.

TITLE II - PROTECTION OF BURIAL GROUNDS

Definitions. The White Earth Band of Minnesota
Chippewa hereby establishes that the following
definition of terms be utilized when
interpreting this statute.

A cemetery is defined as "burial place; a burial
ground".

A burial ground is defined as "the site or
location whereupon there has been performed the
act or process of burying”.

An artifact is defined as "(a) a usually simple
object (as a tool or ornament) showing human
workmanship or modification; (b) a product of
civilization; (c) a product of artistic
endeavor".

A monument is defined as a "burial vault; a

17
Section 1.05.

Section 1.06.

Section 1.07.

Section 1.08.

Section 2.

Section 3.

Section 3.01.

memorial stone or a building erected in
remembrance of a individual or event".

A ruin is defined as "the remains of a man-made

structure which has been destroyed".

Historic is defined as "of or relating to times
or events of recorded history". :

Prehistoric is defined as "of or relating to
times or events before recorded history".

Indian is defined as {Native American} "a member
of any of the indigenous peoples of North
America".

Permits. Permits for the examination of ruins,
burial grounds, cemeteries, the excavation of
archaeological sites and the gathering of
objects of antiquity upon the lands under the
jurisdiction of the White Earth Band of
Minnesota Chippewa may be granted by the
Director of Cultural Resources of the White
Earth Reservation to institutions or persons
which they may deem properly qualified to
conduct such research, examinations, excavations
or gatherings, subject to such rules and
regulations as they may prescribe.

Violation Penalties. Any person who shall
appropriate, excavate, injure or destroy any
Indian cemetery, Indian burial mound or Indian
burial ground, historic or prehistoric ruin or
monument, or any object of antiquity situated on
lands within the White Earth Indian Reservation
or under lands under their jurisdiction without
the express written permission of the White
Earth Tribal Council or the White Earth Cultural
Resources Department, shall upon conviction be
fined in the sum of not more than five hundred
dollars {$500.00} or imprisonment for a period
not to exceed six {6}. months or shall suffer
both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of
the Court.

In addition to the above penalty, whosoever
shall violate this Statute may be subject to
civil suit for both actual damages plus punitive
damages in the amount of five hundred dollars
{$500.00} by any aggrieved party. The White
Earth Tribal Council shall be considered an
aggrieved party and may sue any violator in the

18
Section 4.

name of the White Earth Band of Minnesota
Chippewa.

Force and Effect of Statute. Pursuant to the
provisions of P.L. 280, 28 U.S.C. § 1360, this
Statute shall be given full force and effect in
the determination of any civil cause of action
brought in the Courts of the State of Minnesota.

19

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aminn_chippewa_white_earth%3A16a7aec0ce0b4f73. Public record. Not legal advice.
