Resolution No. 031-13 — Custody, Physical Placement and Visitation

WHEREAS, The Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Band of Mohican Indians, is a federally-recognized Indian tribe with inherent sovereign powers, and is governed by the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council pursuant to the 1937 Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The Stockbridge-Munsee Community has the authority under its constitution and its inherent rights as a sovereign nation to adopt and amend tribal ordinances; and

WHEREAS, Community members at times have need of legal recourse to resolve issues relating to the custody, physical placement and visitation of children; and

WHEREAS, The Stockbridge-Munsee Community does not have an ordinance that specifically addresses these issues, particularly in relation to non-marital children; and

WHEREAS, The Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council finds that adopting such an ordinance will both benefit the tribal community in general and will facilitate the goal of implementing a tribal child support program.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council hereby adopts a new ordinance, which is Chapter 15, the Custody, Physical Placement and Visitation Ordinance.