Colville Tribal Enrollment provides assistance to all Tribal Members with wake and burial expenses. Staff are available on-call to ensure needs are met for Traditional Services in a timely manner. The on-call staff can be reached at 509-557-2079. If we miss your call, we will call you back within one hour. Please note that we can only take notification of passing from the Next of Kin which is usually a spouse, parent, eldest sibling, eldest child, or executor appointed to handle affairs via a certified will.

• The funeral packet is available here. This packet can be used as a checklist as you plan services for your loved one.

• Please do not feel rushed to contact Enrollment – losing a loved one is stressful, take your time to grieve and call when you are ready to begin arrangements.

• When you meet with a funeral home, let them know they can call us at any time to verify benefits.

  • Our main line during the week is 509-634-2830, this number rings at 4 work stations and continues to ring as calls are answered.

+ Explanation of Benefits

• Benefits are available for Tribal Members, 1st line descendants, and spouse of a Tribal Member
  • A wake grant helps with meals for their family’s services.
    • Tribal members, 1st line descendants, and spouse of receive up to $800
  • Burial grants are paid directly to funeral home
    • Tribal members are eligible for payment up to $5,000
    • 1st line descendants and spouse of are eligible for up to $500
  • Wool blanket, dependent upon stock
    • Tribal members are eligible for one wool blanket

+ How do I get a new Tribal Identification Card?

• Cost of Tribal Id Cards are $5.00 per card
  • Money order or cashier’s check is the only form of payment accepted.
• To receive a card you must visit the office to allow enrollment to take a current picture and obtain your signature
• If a current picture and signature is on file – enrollment can mail the card to the address on file.
  • A request form must be completed
  • Another person can receive a card for you by submitting a release of authorization form

+ Can I send a picture and signature for my ID card?

• No, mailed pictures and signatures are not accepted.

+ What is a CIB?

• CIB is a Certificate of Indian Blood
• CIB is a paper copy of enrollment verification
• A cib can be processed without a picture and signature

+ What is a dividend letter?

• Provides payment information for previous payments.
• A request form must be submitted in order to receive a letter
• If requesting for a minor—
  • Custodial parent or guardian may request a letter

+ How do I get a Family History Chart?

• By simply completing a request form and submitting to Enrollment

+ How do I change my address?

• In order to change an address, the change form must be completed and notarized.
• If the form is not notarized, the request to change address will not be processed.

+ When I change my address with Enrollment, does that change at each tribal department?

• The change of address will be forwarded to the following departments:
  • Tribal Tribune
  • Elections
  • BIA/OST

+ Does the Enrollment department conduct DNA testing?

• Yes, buccal swab is the type of sample collected by the enrollment department.
  • Buccal swab is the collection by swabbing the inner facial cheek with a sterile swab.
• The collection process takes approximately 30 minutes.
• Results are received within two (2) weeks
• An appointment is requested in order to conduct DNA testing
• Kinship testing is available
  • Kinship testing occurs if the biological parent is not available

+ How can I, as an adult, relinquish from the Colville tribes?

1. Submit a completed Relinquishment Affidavit with the Enrollment Department.
   • All tribal identification must be returned along with your application
2. The Enrollment department verifies to ensure no debts are owed to the Colville Tribe
3. The Enrollment Officer reviews the affidavit and makes recommendation to the Tribal Government Committee
4. The Tribal Government Committee can either accept or deny relinquishment
5. If approved, a resolution is forwarded to the Applicant and Tribe if applying for membership with another Tribe.
6. If relinquishment is denied, a letter and tribal id shall be return.
7. Please be advised---Relinquishment is immediate and cannot be reversed
   • It is important to make sure you are eligible for enrollment into the other Tribe prior to requesting relinquishment from the Colville Tribe.

+ Can minor children relinquish?

• Yes, the custodial parent or legal guardian has the right to relinquish a minor child
  • Tribal member parent must sign relinquishment form
• Verification of legal custody must accompany relinquishment form

+ Can I re-enroll with the Colville Tribe?

• Adults who relinquish are not eligible for re-enrollment
• Minors who were relinquished are eligible for re-enrollment once the minor reaches the age of 18

+ Is dual enrollment accepted by the confederated tribes of the Colville reservation?

• No, dual enrollment is not accepted.
• If dual enrollment is confirmed, the member will be given the option to remain enrolled or relinquish, according to the process.
• The member will be allowed to address the issue with the Tribal Government Committee.

+ Are there different types of tribal payments?

Yes, Per Capita, 181-D Grand Coulee Dam Settlement (Claims), and Settlement payments.

+ Are tribal payments taxable or considered as income?

• The Per Capita and 181-D payments disbursed by the tribe are non-taxable and cannot be counted as income.
• Most payments are considered trust income.
• Settlement payments are treated differently
  • Depending upon the type of settlement, payments could be taxable income.

+ What documentation is needed to prevent tribal disbursements from being counted as income?

• Two options
  1. Contact the Enrollment department and request the information stating such;
  2. Follow link to download the standard letter

+ Are Per Capita payments automatically disbursed on an annual basis?

No, Per Capita payments are determined on an annual basis.

* The Colville Business Council determines per capita payments.

+ Can someone else pick up my check?

• Unfortunately no one else can receive anyone else’s check
• Only the tribal member named on the check can receive the check

+ Does Enrollment offer Direct Deposit?

• Yes, complete the Direct Deposit Form and submit to the Enrollment Office
  • Forms are available at the Enrollment department
• Direct deposit forms must be notarized in order to process

+ How do I stop direct deposit?

• If banking information changes, Enrollment must be notified by a notarized written statement
• Please note: Changing your address does not automatically stop direct deposit.
  • You must specifically state you request to stop direct deposit

+ What happens if I did not notify Enrollment when my banking information changed?

Once the direct deposit is returned a check will be processed.

* Please make sure correct address is on file.

+ What happens if I did not receive my check?

• Contact Enrollment to place a stop payment on the original check
• An Affidavit must be completed in order to begin the process of reissuing a check
• Enrollment can process a reissued check two weeks after the payment date

+ What do I do if I receive the original check after receiving the reissued check?

• The original check must be returned to the Enrollment department
• A stop payment order is issued when the check is reissued.
  • Check is invalid

+ What happens if my check is forged?

• Notify the Enrollment department
• Complete the forgery packet
  • Once the forgery packet is completed the packet is sent to the financial institute for investigation
• A check cannot be processed until the investigation is complete