Why must Kira appear before the council?

Kira must appear before the council to determine whether or not she will be cast out from society. Kira is alone now that her mother is dead, and Vandara wants Kira's mother's land. She wants to see Kira sent to the Field (certain death).

Kira did not know what the Council of Guardians would decide. She knew only that whether she was to stay or go, to rebuild on her mother’s piece of land or to enter the Field and face the creatures
who were waiting in the forest, she would have to do it alone.