8.01.020 Criteria for Membership

(a) NATURAL HERITAGE:

(1) Every person whose natural mother and father are members of the Tribe is a member of the Tribe.

(2) Every person who has one natural parent who is a member of the Tribe is eligible for membership."

(3) Indian members of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (formerly the St. Regis Band Council) with one natural parent who was a member of the Band Council shall be eligible for membership.

(4) Effective as of the date of the enactment of this Membership Code, the children resulting from the marriage of any member who has only one natural Indian parent, who is or was a member of the Tribe, and a non-Indian, will be eligible for membership.

However, effective as of the date of enactment of this Code, this provision will not apply to any person who was enrolled on or prior to April 19, 1986.

(b) MARRIAGES:

(1) A member of the Tribe who marries an Akwesasne Mohawk:

(A) Retains membership;

(B) Spouse is eligible for membership;

(C) Children are members.

(2) A member of the Tribe who marries Indian

(A) Retains membership;

(B) Spouse is eligible for membership; upon proof of having one natural parent who was or is registered for membership by another Tribe;

(C) Children are eligible for membership.

(3) A member of the Tribe who marries non-Indian;

(A) Retains membership;

(B) Spouse is not eligible for membership;

(C) children are eligible for membership, except as provided in "Natural Heritage" number 4 above.

(c) ADOPTIONS:

(1) A member of the Tribe who is adopted by a person who is not a member of the Tribe retains membership.

(2) An Akwesasne Mohawk child when adopted by a member of the Tribe is eligible for membership.

(3) The non-Akwesasne Mohawk Indian child with at least one natural Indian parent who was enrolled or registered by another Indian Band or Tribe, when adopted by a member of the Tribe is eligible for membership.

(4) The non-Indian child adopted by a member of the Tribe shall not acquire membership.