To: Employees of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

From: Daniel A. Stiffarm, Director Kootenai Culture Committee

Subject: Kootenai Cultural Leave Guidelines

Date: February 1, 2017

There have been many questions and concerns regarding the authorization of Kootenai Cultural Leave. Past Cultural Leave policies have been reviewed and the following will be the guidelines that will be put into practice for Cultural Leave authorization.

1. Participation in Kootenai (Ksanka/Ktunaxa) ceremonial dances.
2. Participation in Wakes and Funerals in one of the following capacities
   1. Prayer leaders
   2. Cook and kitchen assistants
   3. Pall and crossbearer duties
   4. Traditional positions (i.e. Grave tenders) per Kootenai practice
   5. Involving Immediate family as defined by CSKT Ordinance 69C, Ch. 1
3. Individuals participating in above activities must be in attendance for major portion of day/night.
4. It is up to the employee to inform their immediate supervisor that they will be attending one of the preceding activities

Activities performed by the KCC such as hunting camps, field trips will be authorized by Change of Duty Station. Attendance in an activity but not in capacity listed above should be handled by employees Paid Time Off (PTO).

Daniel A. Stiffarm
Director, Kootenai Culture Committee
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes