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[Adopted 12-9-53]
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
of the
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS


CONSTITUTION

Preamble

  We, the members of Indian tribes of the United States of America invoking the Divine guidance of Almighty God in order to secure to ourselves and our descendants the rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws of the United States, the several States thereof, and the Territory of Alaska; to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian race; to preserve Indian cultural values; to seek an equitable adjustment of tribal affairs; to secure and to preserve rights under Indian treaties or agreements with the United States; and otherwise to promote the common welfare of the American Indians  do establish this organization and adopt the following Constitution and By-Laws:

Article I - Name and Headquarters

  The name of this organization shall be the National Congress of American Indians with headquarters in Washington D.C.

Article II - Membership

  Section 1. Membership in the National Congress of American Indians shall be of three classes:

  a.  Individual Membership.  Any person of Indian ancestry may become a member of the National Congress of American Indians.

  b.  Tribal Membership.  Any bona fide Indian tribe is eligible to tribal membership.

  c. Chapter Membership.  Any organization which shall certify the eligibility of its members for individual membership is eligible to chapter membership.

Article III - Conventions

  Section 1.  The National Congress of American Indians shall hold an annual convention, the city and date to be determine by the Executive Council.

  Section 2.  Representation:

  a. Each person holding individual membership shall be entitled to attend and have one vote.

  b. Each tribe or chapter shall be entitled to send any member as official representative with on vote (per chapter, and 2 to 10 votes per tribe depending on its size in accordance with Article VI, Section 3 hereof.)