A. The Tribe retains the inherent sovereign right to protect the interests of minors, is committed to the education of minors, and seeks to encourage minors to graduate high school or its equivalent, and to pursue degrees or certifications in colleges, universities or vocational or technical schools and/or military service. The Tribe is concerned that providing per capita payment to minors or that by allowing the per capita payments to accumulate in an interest bearing account, the minors may not be motivated to perform to their highest levels in school, and may become dependent on per capita payments alone. Therefore, the Tribal Council has specially modified its distribution to limit per capita payments to minors in exchange for certain general welfare program benefits referred to in this chapter.

B. Minors shall not be entitled to any form of per capita payment until they reach the age of eighteen (18) and have obtained a high school diploma, GED or the equivalent demonstrating successful completion of secondary education, then that minor is eligible to receive twenty-five percent (25%) of the per capita payment. A minor is eligible for a full per capita payment when they reach the age of twenty-one (21). The Tribal Council finds that the different treatment of minors with regard to per capita distributions bears a rational relationship to the legitimate government objective of encouraging minors to complete and advance their education. This chapter is designed to promote the permissible objective of providing for the general health, education, and welfare of the Tribe and tribal members. Notwithstanding the limitations with respect to per capita payments, minors may participate in the general welfare program benefits referred to in this chapter and any other applicable Tribal Governmental programs. (Res. 2021-56; Res. 2021-19)