Section YAE.11.02 — Purpose.

(a) The purpose of this Code is to establish Tribal law to protect the Elders of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Stockbridge-Munsee Community honors, respects, and protects its Elders. Our Elders possess unique and irreplaceable stores of knowledge, skill, and experience that enhance and enrich the lives of the entire Community. The interests of the Community, now and in the future, are advanced when our Elders remain confident they are protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and free to fully participate in the activities and proceedings of the Community.

(b) The Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council enacts this Code to provide for public peace and good order of the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation and to minimize health and accident hazards within the exterior boundaries of the reservation.

(c) The Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council enacts this Code because it is necessary to protect the social, economic and political well being of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community and its members.

(d) The Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council further finds this Code crucial to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the members of the Tribe and to protect and preserve the familial obligations and duties to our Elders.