Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO)
What is TERO?
TERO, as its known nationwide, began in 1976. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe made Indian Employment Rights a part of its statutes in 1985 (Title 18, Chapter 5 “Indian Employment Rights”). Title 18 Chapter 5 MLBSA Updated 052014
“Administrative Policy Board within the Executive Branch of Band Government is hereby conferred subject matter jurisdiction to administer an Employment Rights Program of the Non‐Removable Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians.” (Section 402‐Title 18, Chapter 5)
What is the purpose of TERO?
A TERO generally governs the contracting provisions between a tribe and any contractor or business and may include provisions concerning:
- Announcement and advertising of jobs
- Indian Preference in hiring goals
- Training and Skills requirements
- Dismissals and Layoffs
TERO does NOT directly hire or make hiring decisions, however it does refer qualified Band members and Indians to companies doing business on the Mille Lacs Reservation.
TERO applicant responsibilities
Each individual tribal member must take responsibility for the success of the program.
To establish the credibility of the TERO program and make it work, each person through the TERO Program must make every effort to be a success. The employers will respect the TERO program and the tribal members the program places with them. This means:
- Being professional
- Great work ethic and habits
- Showing up on time
- Calling in when you are not able to show up
- No excessive absences or tardiness
- Be dependable
- Set a good example
- Be qualified for the job
- Have good “people” skills
- Communicate well