Tribal Grievance Board
Originally the Grievance and Appeal Process was handled by the Department, which authorized program services. The Department provided a grievance process through their individual program policy and a hearing process up to the level of Tribal Administration. A few departments were established as Authorities and were governed by a Board of Directors. These boards acted as the authority to hear grievances filed against the denial of program services.
On February 19, 2015, Tribal Council Resolution 2015-027 approved the establishment of the Tribal Grievance Board upon repeal of the governing Boards for the Housing Authority, Calvin McGhee Cultural Authority, and Recreation Authority in order to provide a mechanism for Tribal Members and other program applicants to file their grievances which would have previously been addressed by those Boards.
The Tribal Grievance Board was established and granted authority, effective April 1, 2015, to hear grievances regarding alleged violations by Tribal Government departments’ established policies. The Tribal Grievance Board was appointed with establishing a method for the redress of grievances related to or arising from policy concerns or alleged violations.
Additionally, Tribal Council Resolution 2015-126 on December 17, 2015 approved the organizational placement of the Tribal Grievance Board under the Regulatory, Grants and Compliance Division, now referred to as Regulatory Affairs Division. Although the Tribal Grievance Board is structured under the Regulatory Affairs Division it operates independently to ensure an objective review and ruling on grievance appeals. The Regulatory Affairs Division Office acts as the registered agent and is authorized to receive service of process as a part of the administrative functions necessary to support the Tribal Grievance Board.
The Tribal Grievance Board is further organized under Title 51 (Board and Committee Act) of the Tribal Code. To view Tribal law under specific titles, visit municode.com at: https://library.municode.com/tribes_and_tribal_nations/poarch_band_of_creek_indians/codes/code_of_ordinances. Refer to websites the other departments under Tribal Government to view programs subject to the jurisdiction of the Tribal Grievance Board.
Mission:
“To ensure fair and equitable treatment for services provided by the Tribe and to alleviate any program discrepancies that do not promote a fair and objective application process. Provide thorough and accurate information to ensure all grievances are handled in accordance with all tribal government policies and procedures. Provide an appeal process when denied services after exhausting administrative remedies.”
Purpose and Values:
The Tribal Grievance Board is delegated with the duties and responsibilities to provide Tribal Members and other program applicants with an appeal process to hear grievances regarding alleged violations of Tribal Government departments arising from established policies.
Operations:
The Tribal Grievance Board consists of seven (7) members and two (2) alternates appointed by the Tribal Council. The Board Chair is appointed separately by Tribal Council for a three (3) year term. After the initial staggered terms were established in 201 for other Board members, they are now all three (3) year terms. Board members continue in their appointed positions until his or her successor is duly appointed and installed.
The Board is scheduled to meet quarterly on the 4th Tuesday of first month of each quarter or whenever a special meeting is called to hold an appeal hearing.