2.10.040 Eligibility Standards.
(1) Adoption.
(a) Persons adopted by citizens of the Samish Indian Nation are not eligible for citizenship in the Tribe unless they independently meet the requirements of this chapter.
(b) A person who has been adopted and who believes they may be eligible to become a citizen of the Tribe may apply to be enrolled in the Samish Indian Nation. The Enrollment Committee shall determine whether the person qualifies for citizenship under the terms of this chapter and shall recommend the person to the Tribal Council for approval if appropriate. Records obtained or used in support of such determination shall not be released to the applicant except as provided for in STC 2.10.010(4)(c).
(2) Biological Relation. The Tribal Council may inquire into the biological relation of an applicant if a reasonable basis exists to question the parentage of the applicant. Biological relation of a person shall be acknowledged by the Tribal Council where the evidence presented to the Council is clear and convincing. Such evidence may include a notarized statement by a putative biological parent but such statement shall not be controlling where there is convincing evidence to the contrary. Any testing performed to establish biological relation for purposes of this chapter shall be the financial responsibility of the applicant, and such financial burden shall not be borne by the Tribe.
(3) Enrollment in Another Tribe.
(a) Individuals who are enrolled in or are citizens of another U.S. federally recognized Indian tribe shall be eligible for enrollment as a citizen of the Samish Indian Nation upon relinquishment of citizenship in such other Indian tribe. Such persons may apply for citizenship in the Samish Indian Nation pending final relinquishment of their citizenship elsewhere. Registration as a tribal citizen, after approval of the Tribal Council, shall be dependent upon verification and receipt of evidence of relinquishment of citizenship in such other tribe.
(b) Individuals who are listed on the final base citizenship roll of the Samish Indian Nation, or who become subsequently enrolled as a citizen of the Samish Indian Nation, and who are later found to be enrolled in another federally recognized Indian tribe, shall be given 30 days to relinquish citizenship from such other tribe. If, after 30 days, the relinquishment process has not been initiated, the Tribal Enrollment Officer shall begin loss of citizenship proceedings as outlined in STC 2.10.050(2). [Res. 2023-09-003 § 1, 2023; Res. 2020-04-011 § 2, 2020.]