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Adopted: 1936
Preamble
Article I - Territory
Article II - Membership
Article III - Governing Body
Article IV - Elections for the Tribal Council
Article V - Vacancies and Removal from Office
Article VI - Powers of the Tribal Council
Article VII - Bill of Rights
Article VIII - Land
Article IX - Referendum
Article X - Amendments
Article I - Duties of OfficersCertification of Adoption
Article II - Certification of Election
Article III - Installation of Council Members
Article IV - Compensation
Article V - Time and Place of Meetings
Article VI - General Tribal Meetings
Article VII - Adoption of Constitution and Bylaws
Adopted: 1936
We, the members of the Makah Indian Tribe, in order to establish a more perfect tribal organization, promote the general welfare, conserve and develop our land, timber, and other resources, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the power to exercise certain rights of home rule, not inconsistent with the Federal, State, and local laws, do ordain and establish this constitution for the Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, of the. State of Washington.
The jurisdiction of the Makah Indian Tribe shall extend to the territory within the confines of the Makah Indian Reservation boundaries as established in the treaty of January 31, 1855, and by Executive orders made pursuant thereto, and to such other lands as may be hereafter added thereto.
Section. 2. The tribal council shall have the power to promulgate ordinances,
subject to review by the Secretary of the Interior, governing future membership
and the adoption of new members. Property rights shall not be changed by any
action under this section.
Section 1. The governing body of the Makah Indian Tribe shall consist
of a council known as the Makah Indian tribal council.
Section. 2. This council shall consist of five members, duly elected to
serve 3 years, except as provided in section 4, two members being elected each
year except that every third year, one shall be elected.
Section 3. The council so organized shall elect from within its own number
(1) a chairman; (2) a vice chairman; and from within or without (3) a secretary;
and (4) a treasurer; and may appoint or employ such other officers or committees
as may be deemed necessary.
Section 4. The present tribal council within 60 days after the ratification
and approval of this constitution, shall call a general tribal meeting for the
election of officers in accordance with this constitution. The two candidates
receiving the highest number of votes shall hold office until December 1938.
The two candidates receiving the next highest number of votes shall hold office
until December 1937, and the next highest until December 1936. Thereafter, the
term of office for councilmen elected under this constitution shall be 3 years.
After the first election elections for the tribal council shall be held on the
last Monday in December.
Section 1. Any member of the tribe 21 years or over who has maintained
a legal residence on the reservation for 1 year immediately preceding any election
shall be entitled to vote or be elected to office therein.
Section 2. Any legal voter shall be eligible to serve as a member of the
council.
Section 3. All elections shall be by secret ballot and shall be held in
accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the tribal council, or by
any election board appointed by the tribal council.
Section 1. If a council member shall die, resign, or permanently leave
the reservation, or be removed from office for cause, the council shall declare
the position vacant and appoint a successor to serve until the annual general
tribal meeting in December, at which time the general tribal meeting shall elect
a successor for the unexpired term.
Section 2. The tribal council may, by a four fifths vote of its total membership,
expel any member for neglect of duty or gross misconduct, provided such charges
are in writing, subscribed by competent witnesses and formally served upon the
accused at least 5 days prior to the hearing. The accused member shall be given
a full and fair opportunity to reply to any and all such charges against himself
and also the opportunity to summon witnesses in his behalf.
Section 3. Upon a petition of at least one third of the eligible voters
of the Makah Indian Tribe it shall be the duty of the tribal council to call
a special election to consider the recall of the member or members of the council
named in such petition. In the event that a majority of those voting in such
election favor such recall from office, the office shall be declared vacant
and the tribal council shall proceed in the usual manner to hold an election
to fill the said vacancy.
Section 1. The tribal council shall exercise the following powers, subject
to any limitations imposed by the Federal statutes, the Constitution of the
United States, and subject further to all express restrictions upon such powers
provided in this constitution and bylaws.
Section 2. Manner of review.Any resolution or ordinance which
by the terms of this constitution is subject to review by the Secretary of the
Interior, shall be presented to the superintendent of the reservation who shall,
within 10 days thereafter, approve or disapprove the same. If the superintendent
shall approve said ordinance or resolution it shall thereupon become effective,
but the superintendent shall transmit a copy of the same, bearing his endorsement,
to the Secretary of the Interior, who may within 90 days from the date of enactment
rescind the said ordinance or resolution for any cause by notifying the tribal
council of such decision.
If the superintendent shall refuse to approve any resolution or ordinance submitted
to him within 10 days after its enactment, he shall advise the Makah tribal
council of his reasons therefor. If these reasons appear to the council insufficient,
it may by a majority vote refer the ordinance or resolution to the Secretary
of the Interior, who may, within 90 days from the date of its enactment, approve
the same in writing, whereupon the said ordinance or resolution shall become
effective.
Section 3. Further powers.The Makah Indian tribal council may
exercise such further powers as may in the future be delegated to it by the
Secretary of the Interior, or by any other duly authorized official or agency
of government.
Section 4. Reserved powers.Any rights or powers heretofore
vested in the Makah Indian Tribe but not expressly referred to in this constitution
shall not be abridged by this article, but may be exercised by the people of
the Makah Indian Tribe through the adoption of appropriate bylaws and constitutional
amendments.
Section 1. Suffrage.All members of the tribe over the age
of 21 shall have the right to vote in all tribal elections. The residence qualifications
established by article IV of this constitution shall apply to all elections
except elections for the amendment of this constitution and bylaws.
Section 2. Economic right.All members of the tribe shall be
accorded equal opportunities to participate in the economic resources and activities
of the reservation.
Section 3. Civil liberties.All members of the tribe may enjoy,
without hindrance, freedom of worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly,
and association.
Section 4. Rights of accused.Any member of the Makah Indian
Tribe accused of any offense shall have the right to a prompt, open, and public
hearing, with due notice of the offense charged, and shall be permitted to summon
witnesses on his own behalf. Trial by jury may be demanded by any prisoner accused
of any offense punishable by more than 30 days imprisonment or by more than
$45 fine.
Excessive bail shall not be required and cruel punishment shall not be imposed.
Section 9. Inheritance of improvements. Improvements of any
character made upon assigned land may be bequeathed to and inherited by members
of the Makah Indian Tribe or otherwise disposed of under such regulations as
the tribal council shall provide: Provided further, That sales of improvements
on the land of any decedent can be made only to members of the Makah Indian
Tribe.
Section 10. Exchange of assignments.Assignments may be exchanged
between members of the Makah Indian Tribe by common consent in such manner as
the tribal council shall designate
Section 11. Use of unassigned tribal land. Tribal land which
is not assigned, including tribal timber reserve, shall be managed by the tribal
council for the benefit of the members of the entire tribe, and any cash income
derived from such land accrue to the benefit of the tribe as a whole. All action
of the tribal council with respect to such lands shall be in conformity with
departmental regulations for the protection of Indian range and timber resources
authorized by section 6 of the act of June 18, 1934.
Section 12. Purchase of land by tribe.Tribal funds may be used,
with the consent of the Secretary of the Interior, to acquire land, under the
following conditions:
(a) Land within the Makah Reservation or adjacent to the boundaries thereof which is not now in Indian ownership may be purchased by or for the Makah Indian Tribe.
(b) Restricted land, which is in heirship status at the time of the adoption and approval of this constitution, may be purchased by or for the tribe, with the consent of all the adult heirs, and the legal guardians of minor heirs, payment therefor to be made as may be agreed upon.
(c) Land owned by any member of the tribe who is over the age of 60 years, or who is physically incapacitated, may be transferred by its owner to the tribe in exchange for a pension of not more than twice the annual rental value of the land for the life of the pensioner, to be paid out of available tribal funds.
(d) Land owned by any member of the tribe in excess of his needs for domestic purposes may be purchased by the tribe with the consent of the owner, payments to be made on such terms as may be agreed upon by the council and the owner.
(e) Land owned by any members of the tribe who desire to leave the reservation permanently may be purchased by the tribe under such terms as may be agreed upon.
Section 13. Method of making assignments.Applications for assignment
shall be filed with the secretary of the council and shall be in writing, setting
forth the name of the person or persons applying for the land and as accurate
a description of the land desired as the circumstances will permit.
Notices of all applications received by the secretary shall be posted by him
in the agency office and in at least three other conspicuous places on the reservation
for not less than 20 days before action is taken by the council. Any member
of the tribe wishing to oppose the granting of an assignment shall do so in
writing, setting forth his objections, to be filed with the secretary of the
council, and may if he so desires, appear before the council to present evidence.
The secretary of the council shall furnish the superintendent or other officers
in charge of the agency a complete record of all action taken by the council
on applications for assignment of land, and a complete record of assignments
shall be kept in the agency office and shall be open for inspection by members
of the tribe.
The council shall draw up one or more forms for standard and exchange assignments,
which shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
Upon a petition of least one-third of the qualified voters of the Makah Indian
Tribe, a referendum may be demanded on any enacted or proposed ordinance or
resolution of the tribal council, and the vote of the majority of the qualified
voters in such referendum shall be conclusive and binding on the tribal council.
This constitution and bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the qualified
voters of the tribe voting at an election called for that purpose by the Secretary
of the Interior, provided that at least 30 percent of those entitled to vote
shall vote in such election; but no amendment shall become effective until it
shall have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Interior to call an election on
any proposed amendment upon receipt of a petition signed by one-third of the
qualified voters, members of the tribe.
Section 1. Chairman of the council.The chairman of the council shall preside over all meetings of the council; shall perform all duties of the chairman, and exercise any authority delegated to him by the council. The chairman shall also preside at all regular and special meetings of a general tribal nature. He shall vote only in case of a tie.
Section 2. Vice chairman of the council.The vice chairman shall
assist the chairman when called upon so to do. In the absence of the chairman
he shall preside; when so presiding he shall have all the rights, privileges,
duties, and responsibilities, of the chairman.
Section 3. Secretary of the council.The secretary of the tribal
council shall conduct all tribal correspondence and shall keep an accurate record
of all business transacted at council meetings. It shall be his duty to keep
minutes of regular and special tribal meetings and to submit copies of such
minutes to the superintendent of the jurisdiction and also to the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs.
Section 4. Treasurer of the council.The treasurer of the tribal
council shall account for, receive, receipt for, preserve, and safeguard all
funds in the custody of the council whether same be tribal or other funds for
which the council is acting as trustee or custodian. Deposits of such funds
shall be made in a bank or elsewhere, as designated by the council, and he shall
make and preserve a financial record of all such funds and shall report on all
receipts and expenditures, and the amount and nature of all funds in his possession
or custody such report being made in writing to the council at regular meeting
and at such other times as requested by the council. He shall not pay out or
otherwise disburse any funds in his possession or custody, or in the possession
or custody of the tribal council, until properly authorized so to do by resolution
duly passed by the council.
The books and records of the treasurer shall be audited at least once each
year by a competent auditor employed by the council and at such other times
as the council or the Commissioner of Indian Affairs may direct.
The treasurer shall be required to furnish a bond satisfactory to the council
and to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and the council is hereby authorized
to pay the premium on such bond from any available funds. The treasurer shall
be present at all special or regular meeting of the council.
Section 5. Duties of appointive officers and boards. The duties of
all appointive boards or officers of the council shall be clearly defined by
resolution of the council at the time of their creation or appointment. Such
boards and officers shall report from time to time, as required to the council,
and their activities and decisions shall be subject to review by the council
upon the complaint of any person aggrieved.
It shall be the duty of the tribal council, or a board appointed by them, to certify to the election of the newly elected tribal council members within 5 days after the election and thereupon they shall be notified by the secretary of their election.
Newly elected members who have been duly certified shall be installed thereafter
at the next regular meeting of the tribal council. Each newly elected member
shall subscribe to the following oath:
STATE OF WASHINGTON,          I, __________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and uphold the Constitution of the United States, the constitution and law of the State of Washington and the constitution, bylaws, and ordinances of the Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation in the State of Washington.County of Clallam, ss:           That I will in all respects faithfully and fully perform the duties of my office of ___________ ____________________________ for the Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, so help me God. ________________________________________
Subscribed and sworn to before me this__________ day of ___________________ 19______. ________________________________________
(The oath may be taken and subscribed to before any officer authorized to administer oaths in the State of Washington.) |
The tribal council may prescribe such compensation of officers or members of the council as it deems advisable from such funds as may be available, subject to approval of the general tribal meeting.
Section 1. Meetings.Regular meetings of the tribal council
shall be held at the agency at Neah Bay on the first Monday of January, April,
July, and October, and at such other times as the tribal council may by resolution
provide.
Special meetings may be called by a written notice signed by the majority of
the tribal council, and, when so called, the tribal council shall have power
to transact business as in regular meetings.
Section 2. Quorum.No business shall be transacted unless a
quorum is present. A quorum shall consist of four council members.
Section 3. Order of business.The following order of business
is established for all meetings:
1. Call to order by chairman.
2. Roll call.
3. Reading the minutes of last meeting.
4. Unfinished business.
5. Reports.
6. New business.
7. Adjournment.
Section 1. There shall be an annual general tribal meeting open to all
members of the tribe held at the agency on the last Monday in December. At this
annual meeting, elections shall be held as designated heretofore in this constitution.
The bylaws, orders, and resolutions, which are subject to approval at the general
tribal meeting, shall be taken up for consideration at this time.
It shall also be the duty of the chairman to make a report at said meeting of
the activities of the council throughout the year and to outline proposed plans
for economic and social betterment of tribe.
Section 2. Special general tribal meetings may be called by the chairman
of the general council: Provided, That due notice is posted throughout
the reservation at least 15 days prior to such meeting.
Fifty legal voters of the tribe may at any time, by written petition, call a
general tribal meeting, provided that at least 15 days' notice is posted throughout
the reservation.
This constitution and bylaws, when ratified by a majority vote of the qualified voters of the Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Reservation voting at an election called for the purpose by the Secretary of the Interior, provided that at least 30 percent of those entitled to vote shall vote in such election, shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Interior, and, if approved, shall be effective from the date of approval.