Appeals 25 C.F.R. § 69.8

Note: This regulation was repealed prior to 1990 and is not currently in force. It is provided as a matter of historical interest.


          (a) Appeals by individuals from adverse decisions must be in writing and filed with the Enrollment Coordinating Office not later than 30 days after the date of receipt by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, of the notice of the adverse decision or not later than 37 days after the date of mailing of such notice where certified or registered mail service to the individual is not available or where any notice is returned to the Coordinator in accordance with postal regulations. Appeals by regional and village corporations from the Coordinator‘s decisions must be in writing and filed with the Coordinating Office not later than 30 days after receipt of the notice sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or not later than 37 days after the date of mailing of such notice where certified or registered mail service is not available or where any notice is returned to the Coordinator in accordance with postal regulations. A decision of the Coordinator on the application of an adopted person, as defined in § 69.1(o), will not be subject to appeals by regional or village corporations, leaving such decisions subject to appeal only by the adopted person or his or her guardian or sponsor, if such adopted person is a minor.

          (b) Each appeal from a decision on an application for enrollment shall be by petition, which shall state the bases and reasons for the appeal, and which shall include or be accompanied by all arguments, briefs, records, or other evidence which the appellant urges as grounds for reversal. No additional presentation will be allowed except upon a showing satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor.

          (c) A copy of each appeal petition and its supporting documents filed by an applicant shall be served by the Coordinator upon the regional and/or village corporation whose region or village names appear on the decision appeal from. A copy of each appeal petition and its supporting documents filed by a regional corporation shall be served by the Coordinator upon the applicant for enrollment and upon the village corporation whose village name appears on the decision appealed from. A copy of each appeal petition and the supporting documents filed by a village corporation shall be served by the Coordinator upon the applicant for enrollment and upon the regional corporation for the region whose name appears on the decision appealed from.

          (d) Service as provided for in paragraph (c) of this section shall be made by the Coordinator at the time an appeal is filed with the Enrollment Coordinating Office by delivering a copy of the appeal petition and supporting documents either in person or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If certified or registered mail service to an addressee is not available, service may be made on that addressee by sending to that addressee a copy of the appeal petition and supporting documents by first class mail which is neither certified nor registered. Service will be considered to have been made at the time: (1) of acknowledgment; (2) of personal service; (3) of delivery by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; (4) seven (7) days after the date of mailing by first class mail which is neither certified nor registered; or (5) seven (7) days after the date of mailing by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, which is returned by the Postal Service undelivered. Within 15 days of filing the appeal petition with the Enrollment Coordinating Office, proof of service must be furnished to the Regional Solicitor by the Coordinator. This proof may be made by informing the Regional Solicitor in writing of the names of the parties served; whether service was made personally or by certified, registered, or first class mail which was neither certified nor registered; and the address, if mailed, to which copies of the appeal petition and supporting documents were sent.

          (e) A party served with a copy of an appeal petition and supporting documents shall have 20 days from the date of service in which to file written views on the appeal with the Regional Solicitor.

          (f) Upon receipt of an appeal petition, the Coordinator will forward the petition, with all records pertaining thereto, to the Regional Solicitor. Determination on appeals will be made by the Regional Solicitor on behalf of the Secretary and shall be final. The applicant and the appropriate village and regional corporation shall be notified in writing of the determination of the Regional Solicitor.