TRIBAL REGISTRATION ISSUES

1
TRIBAL REGISTRATION ISSUES

• Patricia Adams
• Chief
• Arizona Office of Vital Records

2
GENERAL INFORMATION

• Arizona is home to 21 federally recognized tribes
• Population of over 250,000 Native Americans
• Over a quarter of the state land is comprised of
  reservations and tribal communities
• Tribal council has jurisdiction over reservations

3
GENERAL INFORMATION CONTINUED

• Some reservations cross state lines
• Some cross county lines
• One reservation crosses US/Mexico border
• Large geographic areas, sparsely populated

4

• WE DONT KNOW WHAT WE DONT KNOW

5
BIRTH REGISTRATION ISSUES

• Home Births
• Unattended
• Families not aware of need for registration
• If the are aware means of communicating are
  limited
• We dont know how to educate the community

6
BIRTH CONTINUED

• Delayed Births
• High percentage
• Lack of documentation
• Communication challenges

7
BIRTH CONTINUED

• Foundlings
• Communication with Tribal CPS
• Tribal Registration Offices
• Often receive certificates and hold them
• Tribal Courts
• Orders do not reference state law
• Inadequate proof of event

8
DEATH REGISTRATION ISSUES

• Tradition vs. State Law
• Tribal law enforcement vs. medical examiner
• Cause of death reporting is suspect

9
DEATH CONTINUED

• Noncompliance with time requirements
• Out-of-state funeral homes not regulated by
  Arizona
• Requests for corrections go unheeded

10
RESOLUTION APPROACHES

• Establish relationships
• Educate! Educate! Educate!