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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
+
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE
MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE
MINNESOTA
APPROVED JULY 24, 1936
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASEINGTON : 1936


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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DIVISION


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CONSTITUTION OF THE MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE
PREAMBLE
We, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, consisting of the Chippewa
Indians of Minnesota under the Consolidated Chippewa Agency, in
order to form a representative Chippewa tribal organization, main-
tain and establish justice for our Tribe, and to conserve and develop
our tribal resources and common property; to promote the general
welfare of ourselves and descendants, do and adopt this
constitution for the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota under the
Consolidated Chippewa Agency in accordance with such privilege
granted the Indians by the United States under an existing law.
ARTICLE J—ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE
Srcrion 1. The Chippewa Indians of Minnesota under the Con-
solidated Chippewa Agency are hereby organized as a tribe under
Section 16 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984).
Src. 2. The name of this tribal organization:shall be “The Minne-
sota Chippewa Tribe.”
Sec. 3. The purpose and function of this organization shall be
to conserve and develop tribal resources and to promote the con-
servation and development of individual Indian trust property; to
promote the general welfare of the members of the tribe; to pre-
serve and maintain justice for its members and otherwise exercise
all powers granted and provided the Indians, and take advantage
of the privileges afforded by the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984)
and acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto, and all the
purposes expressed in the preamble hereof.
Src. 4. The Tribe shall cooperate with the United States in its
program of economic and social development of the Tribe or in
any matters tending to promote the welfare of the Minnesota
Chippewa Tribe of Indians.
ARTICLE [I—REPRESENTATION AND MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. This constitution for representation shall apply to the
White Earth, Leech Lake, Fond du Lac, Bois Fort (Nett Lake), and
Grand Portage Reservations, and the nonremoval Mille Lac Band of
Chippewa Indians.
Sec. 2. All the Chippewa Indians duly registered on the approved
rolls of any of the above reservations or bands of Indians as recog-
nized by the United States pursuant to the Treaty with said Indians
as enacted by Congress in the Act of January 14, 1889 (25 Stat. 642)
and acts amendatory thereof, are members of this Tribal organiza-
87352—86 (1)


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tion: Provided, however, That the governing body of the tribe may
make necessary corrections in the rolls subject to the approval of the
Secretary of the Interior.
Sxo. 3. The governing body of the tribe shall have power to make
rules governing the required for enrollment in the tribe
of descendants of members of the tribe, which descendants are not on
the approved rolls of the tribe at the time of the ratification and
approval of such rules. These rules shall not be effective until
ratified by the Tribal Delegates at the annual or any ia] meeting
of such delegates, and approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
No person shall be enrolled as a member of the tribe unless he is a
a
descendant of member of the tribe.
Sxc. 4. The governing body shall have power to decide applications
for membership according to the ratified rules, but no decision shall
be effective until ratified by the Tribal Delegates at their annual
or
special meeting.
a
Arnmicte ITIT—Governine Bopy
Section 1. The government and management of the affairs of the
tribe under this constitution shall be vested in a Tribal Executive
Committee, said committee to be composed of not more than two
members from each reservation and the band mentioned in Article
II, Section 1, which shall include tribal officers, who shall be chosen
by ballot by the Tribal Delegates as herein provided.
Sec. 2. The Tribal Executive Committee shall supervise and make
such rules as it deems advisable governing the conduct of all elec-
tions concerning tribal matters not inconsistent with law or regula-
tions of the Secretary of the Interior or Commissioner of Indian
Affairs. It shall d ate the time and dates such elections shall
be held and further designate the districts or communities where
elections are to be held for the election of Tribal Delegates.
Armots [TV—~Orcanization or Treat Deiegates AND TRIBAL
ExecuttvE Commrrres
Secrion 1. Tribal Delegates, numbering not more than two from
any designated district or community, shall be chosen by each com-
munity at an annual election to be held on the first Monday the in May
of each year, unless another date shall be designated by Tribal
Committ
_
Executive Committee. Such Tribal Delegates shall meet at the
Village election, of such Cass date Lake, to be Cass fixed County, within Minn., said time within by the 15 Tribal days of Execu- their
tive Committee. Such Tribal Delegates shall act until their suc-
cessors have been elected, and shall be subject to call for special
meetings the Tribal by the Delegates Tribal shall Executive be filled by Committee. the community Any from vacancy which in
the delegate was elected.
Sec. 2. The Tribal Delegates shall select from the tri ber-
ship two persons from each reservation and the
in tive Article Committee. Section Such 1, Tribal hereof, Delegates shall shall compose also the choose Tribal from said
Tribal Executive Committee the following officers, to wit: a Tribal


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president, a The Tribal Tribal vice-president, a Tribal shall secretary, or and appoint Tribal
other officers and committees, as may be necessary.
Sec. 3. The members of the Tribal Executive Committee selected,
shall meet and take office on the first Monday of the month following
their election.
Articte V—Powrns oF THE Trisat Execurive ComMIrrer
Section 1. The Tribal Executive Committee shall manage all the
business and affairs of the Tribe, including all matters incident to the
welfare of said Tribe and shall make all necessary rules and regula-
tions not inconsistent with law for the management of the business
and guidance of the officers, employees, and agents of the Tribe.
Sec. 2. The Tribal Executive Committee shall have power to ad-
minister the tribal lands of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe for the
benefit of all the tribe, and to assign such land to reservation or
community organizations for public uses, or, under rules which shall
be subject to review by the Secretary of the Interior, to individual
members of the tribe for as long as they shall use the land but for
no longer than their natural lives.
Sec, 3. The Tribal Executive Committee shall have the power to
negotiate with the Federal, State, and local Governments, on behalf
of the tribe and to advise and consult’ with representatives of the
Interior Department on all activities of the Department that may
affect the Minnesota Chippewa Indiana.
Sec. 4. The Tribal Executive Committee shall have power to
employ legal counsel for the protection and advancement of the
rights of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and its members, the
choice of counsel and fixing of fees to be subject to the approval of
the Secretary of the Interior.
Src. 5. The Tribal Executive Committee shall have the power to
prevent the sale, disposition, lease, or encumbrance of tribal land
juterests in lands or other tribal assets without the consent of the
ribe.
Src. 6. The Tribal Executive Committee shall have the power
to confer with the Secretary of the Interior upon all appropriation
estimates or Federal projects for the benefit of the Tribe Prior to
the submission of such estimates to the Bureau of the Budget and
Nngress.
Src. 7. The Tribal Executive Committee shall have power to
organize and to charter associations of tribal members for economic
purposes which are not chartered under Federal or State law, and
to regulate the activities of such associations.
Szo. 8. The Tribal Executive Committee shall have no power
to interfere with the management of the Red Lake Reservation or
to exercise any control over the funds and other property exclusively
owned by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.
Src. 9. The Tribal Executive Committee may exercise such powers
as in the future may be delegated to the Tribe by the Secretary
of the Interior or by any person or agency.
Seo. 10. Any rights and powers heretofore vested in the Minne-
sota Chippewa Tribe but not expressly referred to in this Con-


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stitution shall not be abridged by this Article but may be exercised
by the people of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe through the adop-
tion of appropriate bylaws and constitutional amendments.
Agrrots VI-—Temat Execorrve Commrrrern
Section 1. The following members and officers of the Tribal
Executive Committee appointed to lead the Tribe during the prepa-
ration of this constitution shall call and hold the first elections for
tribal delegates, and shall serve until the first Tribal Executive
Committee is formed under this constitution:
TRIBAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
White Earth—John Broker, William Anywaush
Leech Lake—Ed Wilson, Jacob J. Munnell
Fond du Lac—Henry LaPrairie, Joseph LaPrairie
Bois Fort—Charles Bowness, Peter Smith
Grand Portage—James Scott, Mike Flatt
Mille Lac—Fred Sam, William Nickaboine
THE TRIBAL OFFICERS
John Broker, Tribal President
Henry LaPrairie, Tribal Secretary
Ed. Wilson, Tribal Vice President
Jacob J. Munnell, Tribal Treasurer
Articte VIT—Meertines or tran Trmat Execurivs ComMrrree
Secrion 1. Regular meetings of the Tribal Executive Committee
shall be held once in every 3 months beginning on the first Monday
in June of each year and on such other days of any month as may
be designated for that purpose.
Agricte VITI—Vorttne Privitece
Section 1. Every member of the tribe, male or female, who has
attained the age of 21 years shall be qualified to vote in any election
under this constitution.
Axtictze IX—Dvration or Tema Consrirvrion
Srcrion 1. The period of duration of this Tribal Constitution
shall be perpetual or until revoked by lawful means as provided in
the Act of June 18, 1984 (48 Stat. 984).
Articte X—Equa, Representation
Section 1. All districts or communiti delegates, shall h: ave equal repre .
sentation of not more than two
Seo. 2. All reservations shall have equal representation of not
more than two members in the Tribal Executive Committee, jnclud-
ing officers, ,


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ARTICLE XI—Locat ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Each reservation and district community
or may gov-
ern itself in local matters in accordance with itg customs and may
obtain, if it so desires, from the Tribal Executive Committee a
charter setting forth its organization and powers.
ARTICLE XI]I—Magsoriry Vore
Section 1. At all elections held under this constitution, the ma-
jority of eligible votes cast shall rule, unless otherwise provided by
an Act of Congress,
Articte XITI—Quvuauirications
Secrion 1. Each reservation and district shall be the sole judge
of the qualifications of its own members and delegates.
Szo. 2. The Tribal Delegates shall be the sole judge of the quali-
fications of the members of the Tribal Executive Committee.
Agticyz: XITV—Expenprrure or Treat Funps
Secrion 1. No compensation shall be paid to any member of the
Tribal Executive Committee, including Tribal Officers, or any other
person, from tribal funds under the control of the United States,
except upon a resolution stating the amount of compensation and
the nature of services rendered, or to be rendered, and said resolu-
tion shall be of no effect until approved by the Secretary of the
terior.
Szc. 2. The Tribal Executive Committee shall have the right to
expend funds of the Tribe within its control or any funds entrusted
;
to its care and make proper accounting therefor.
Sec. 38. The Tribal Executive Committee shall require of any
person, charged by the Tribe with responsibility for the custody of
any of its funds or Fates. property, to give bond for the faithful perform-
ance of his official Such bond shall be furnished by a re-
sponsible bonding company and shall be acceptable to the Tribal
Executive Committee and to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
and the cost thereof shall be paid by the tribe.
ArticLe X V—Vacancies iN Treat Executive CoMMITrrer
Secrion 1. Any vacancy in the Tribal Executive Committee shall
be filled by the Indians from the reservation on which the vacancy
occurs by election under such rules as the Tribal Executive Commit-
tee shall prescribe.
Seo, 2. Any Tribal Executive Committeeman may be removed,
vote of
after notice and an opportunity to be heard, by a two-thirds vote of
the Tribal Executive Committee for repeated unjustified absence
from the meetings of the Tribal Executive Committee or for a con-
viction of crime.


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Articizs X VI—Quorum
Srcrton 1. Seven members of the Tribal Executive Committee
shall constitute a quorum, and Roberts’ Rules shall govern, its meet-
ings.
Articrz X VII—RamtiFicaTIon
Sscrion 1. This constitution and the bylaws shall not become
operative until ratified at a special election by a majority vote of the
Tribe,
adult members of the Minnesota Chippewa voting at a special
election called by the Secretary of the Interior, provided that at
least 30 percent of those entitled to vote shall vote, and until it has
been approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
ArricLp X VITI—AMeEnDMENT
Sxcrion 1. This constitution may be revoked by Act of Congress or
amended or revoked by a majority vote of the qualified voters of
the Tribe voting at an election called for that purpose by the Secre-
tary of the Interior if at least 30 percent of those entitled to vote
shall vote. No amendment shall be effective until approved by the
Secretary of the Interior. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to
call an election when requested by two-thirds of the Tribal Execu-
tive Committee.
BYLAWS
Articts J~DeErTERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
In the determination of membership under Article II, Section 2,
of the constitution, the Government annuity be rolls, as such rolls may
be corrected under this Constitution, used to determine the
enrollment status in the Tribe and the same shall be conclusive, the
said rolls being the Government official register of the recognized
members of the Tribe.
Articte [I—Mererines
Secrton 1. Notice shall be given by the Tribal secretary of the
date of all meetings or elections of the Tribe, Tribal Executive Com-
mittee, and Tribal Delegates by mailing a notice thereof to the In-
dians in each designated district or community, to Tribal Executive
Committeemen and Tribal Delegates, as the case may be, not less
than 15 days preceding the date of the proposed meeting,
In the case of special meetings designated for emergency matters
pertaining to the Tribe, or those of special importance, warranting
immediate
immediate action of said Tribe, the Tribal president may waive the
15 days clause herein provided.
Sec. 2. The Tribal president shall call a special meeting of the
Tribe, Tribal Delegates, or Tribal Executive Committee upon a
written request of at least one-third of the Tribal Executive Com-
mittee or by resolution adopted by the Tribal Executive Committee
at any meeting of said Committee.


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So. 3. The Tribal president shall also call a special meeting of
the Tribal Executive Committee when matters of special importance
pertaining to the Tribe arise for which he deems advisable the said
Committee should meet. .
Sec. 4. The notices of the time, place, and purpose of all such
special meetings, pursuant to request and call, shall be issued in the
manner provided in Article IT, section 1, hereof.
Sro. 5. The Tribal president who shall act as chairman of the
Tribal Executive Committee shall preside at all meeti of the
Tribal Delegates and Tribal Executive Committee and shall cast the
deciding vote in all cases of a tie.
Sec. 6. A quorum for the Tribal Delegates shall be, for the elec-
tion of Tribal officers and Tribal Executive Committeemen, at least
two-thirds of the total number of the delegates; the same portion
shall be required of such delegates to transact any other business
coming properly before them.
Src. 7. No business shall receive final action at any meeting, an-
,
nual, re or special, unless a quorum of Tribal Delegates or the
Tribal Executive Committee be present, but at any meeting where a
quorum is present, the majority vote of the members present shall
decide all questions.
Sec. 8. The order of business at any meeting sd far as possible
shall be:
1) Calling of roll.
89 Proof of notice of meeting.
Wo... we
09 Reading and disposal of all unapproved minutes.
He Reports of officers and committees.
Or Election of Executive Committeemen.
Oo Unfinished business.
7 New business.
CO Adjournment.
Argrictz IJ i—Terrm or Orrice AND CoMPENSATION
Seo. 1. Tribal Executive Committeemen who shall be elected by
the Tribal Delegates in annual meetings assembled shall serve for
one (1) year and until their successors shall have been elected and
qualified.
Sec. 2. Compensation, other than as provided in Article XTV of
the Constitution, if any, to the Tribal Executive Committee and
officers, shall be determined by the members the Tribal Executive
Committee at any meeting of the said committee.
Arricte 1V—Doties ann Powers or OFFICERS
Szcrton 1. The president shall:
(1) Preside over all meetings of the Tribe, Tribal Delegates,
and of the Tribal Executive Committee.
as
(2) Sign Tribal president, with the Tribal secretary, allt
_ |
notes, leases, deeds, and conveyances of real estate and
contracts.
Sec. 2. In the absence or disability of the Tribal president, the
Vice president shall preside and perform the duties of the president.


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Sze. 8. The Tribal secretary shall:
a
(1) Keep complete record of the meetings of the Tribal Dele-
gates and the Tribal Executive Committee.
(2) Sign as secretary, with the president, all notes, deeds, and
other instruments.
(3) Be the custodian of all property of the Tribe.
a
(4) Keep complete record of all business of the Tribal Execu-
tive Committee, Make and submit at the annual meeting
of the members, a complete and detailed report of the
current year’s business and shall submit such other reports
as shall be required.
(5) Serve all notices required for meetings or elections.
(6) Perform such other duties as may be required of him by
the Tribe or Tribal Executive Committee.
Sec. 4. The treasurer shall receive all funds of the Tribe entrusted
to it, deposit same in a depository selected by the Tribal Executive
Committee, and disburse same only on vouchers signed by the Tribal
president and the Tribal secretary.
ArticLE V—Recorps anp AUDITS
Section 1. Ample records and an accounting system shall be main-
tained and such reports as may be required by the Tribal Executive
Committee shall be made showing the condition of every enterprise
promoted and maintained by the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
Sec. 2. The Tribal Executive Committee may examine all accounts
at any time or at any meeting, and shall have the books of the Tribe
audited at least once a year, such audit to take place during the 30
days preceding the first Monday in June of each year and the report
of the audit shall be made to the Tribe.
ArticLe VI—MisceLLaNnzous
Szcrion 1. The fiscal year of the Tribe shall begin on the first
Monday in June of each year.
Szc. 2. The names of the Tribal Delegates elected under Article IV
of the Constitution shall be submitted to the Tribal secretary prior to
the meeting of the Tribal Delegates,
—
Szo. 3. These bylaws may y be amended in th e same manner as the
Constitution.
CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION
Pursuant to an order, approved May 22, 1936, by the Secretary
of the Interior, the attached Constitution and Bylaws were sub-
mitted for ratification to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe a or end
on the 20th day of J une, duly ratified, by a of 1,528
544 against, in an election in which over 30 percent of those entitled
to vote cast their ballots, in accordance with section 16 of the


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Indian amended Reorganization June 15, 1935 June (49 18, Stat. 1934 378). (48 Stat. 984), as
Epwarp M. Wuson,
Chairman of Election Board.
Senam Farrpanks,
Secretary of the Election Board.
ee
M. L. Burns,
Superintendent in charge of the Agency.
I, Harold L. Ickes, the Secretary of the Interior of the United
States of America, by virtue of the authority granted me by the
act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), as amended, do hereby approve
the zattached Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa
ribe.
All rules and regulations heretofore promulgated by the Interior
Department or by the Office of Indian Affairs, so far as they may
be incompatible with any of the provisions of the said Constitution
or Bylaws are hereby declared inapplicable to the Minnesota Chip-
pewa Tribe.
All officers and employees of the Interior Department are ordered
to abide by the provisions of the said Constitution and Bylaws.
Approval recommended July 20, 1936.
WuiuM ZimMERMAN, J?P.,
Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Harow L. IcKss,
Secretary of the Interior.
[sex |
Wasuinerton, D. C., July 24, 1936.
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