Upon the filing of a petition, the judge or Clerk of the Tribal Court shall issue a written notice, which may be in the form of a summons directing the parents, guardians of the child and all other necessary parties to the proceedings, to be present in Court for hearing at the time and place fixed in the notice.

Notice of the hearing and the parties’ rights may also be issued to foster parents if any, pre-adoptive parents or relative providing care for the child, except that this paragraph shall not be construed to require any foster parent or relative providing care to be made a party to the action solely on the basis of such notice.

The summons shall contain a statement, when appropriate, that the modification of the parent/child legal relationship is a possible remedy under the proceedings as well as any other legal rights of the child, the parents, or guardian, or any other respondent, including right to be represented by an advocate or attorney at their own expense.

If the whereabouts of the parents or guardians are unknown, the Tribal Court may proceed to take any action to protect the child. Any person served with notice who fails to appear without reasonable cause may be subject to contempt of Court and a bench warrant may be issued. The returns or proofs of service shall be filed in the record of the case. [Res. 22-R-037, 2/24/2022; Res. 09-R-062 Title 1 § (14)(B), 4/30/2009. Formerly 10.10.330.]