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TRIBAL CONSTITUTION
INTERPRETATION NO. 10-96
WHEREAS, The Minnesota Chippewa Tribal Executive Committee is the duly elected governing
body of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, comprised of six member reservations (Bois Forte, Fond du
Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, and White Earth); and
WHEREAS, In a letter dated June 26, 1996, the Acting Area Director, Minneapolis Area Office,
Bureau of Indian Affairs has stated that because of the “lack of constitutional direction” he possessed
the legal authority to take “extraordinary measures”, and that he has the power to remove duly elected
members of a Tribal Council of a Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and establish niles for the
operation of that Tribal Council; and
WHEREAS, The Tribal Executive Committee of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe established the
principle, in its Constitutional Interpretation No. 4-8!, on January 27 and 28, 1981] that the Tribal
Executive Committee—
Is the only proper to interpret the of the Minnesota
Chippewa Tribe and that the United States, through its courts,
solicitors, or employees, lacks the authority or junsdicuion to determine
the meaning of the Constitution of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe in
Opposition to the interpretations or actions of the Tnbal Executive
Committee.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Tribal Executive Committee of the Minnesota
Chippewa Tribe docs herewith reaffirm its long-held position that the officials of the government of the
United States, including but not limited to the Acting Area Director of the Minneapolis Area Office,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, do not possess any legal authority to interpret the Constitution of the Minnesota
Chippewa Tribe, or to remove sitting members of government of Band of the Tribe, or to establish
rules for the operation of a government of Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
We do hereby certify that the foregoing Constitution Interpretation was duly presented and acted upon by
a vote of 10 For, 0 Against, 0 Silent during a telephone conference meeting with the Minnesota
Chippewa Tribal Executive Committee, a quorum present, held on July 3, 1996.
Nonnan W. Deschampe, President
THE MINNES OTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE
ATTEST: Peter J. Defoe, Secretary
THE MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE