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PROPOSED 
    1955

CONSTITUTION
of the
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS

[[underline]] Article I--Name, Headquarters and Objectives [[/underline]]
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the National Congress of American Indians. Its headquarters shall be in Washington, D. C.

Section 2. Its objectives shall be to secure to American Indians the rights and benefits to which they 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 Indian people; to preserve Indian cultural values; to seek an equitable adjustment of tribal affairs and tribal claims; to secure and preserve rights under treaties or agreements with the United States; [[crossed-out]] and otherwise [[/crossed out]] to promote the common welfare of American Indians; and to foster the [[?]] loyalty and [[?]] of American Indians to the flag of the United States.

[[underline]] Article II--Membership [[/underline]]

Section 1. Membership shall be of five classes:

a. [[underline]] Individual Membership [[/underline]]. Any person of American (including Alaskan) Indian ancestry is eligible for individual membership. For the purpose of this section, and Indian is a person who is recognized as a member by a bona fide Indian tribe.

b. [[underline]] Tribal Membership [[/underline]]. Any bona fide Indian tribe is eligible for tribal membership.

c. [[underline]] Alaskan Membership [[/underline]]. Alaskan native groups or communities are eligible for membership upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Executive Council.

d. [[underline]] Individual Associate Membership [[/underline]]. Non-Indian applicants may be admitted to non-voting associate membership upon the payment of annual dues as fixed by the By-Laws.