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[[strikethrough]] PROPOSED [[strikethrough]] 1955 as amended 9/2/55 CONSTITUTION of the NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS 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 - the Indians of the United States and the Natives of Alaska- 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 people; to preserve Indian cultural values; to seek an equitable adjustment of tribal affairs and tribal claims; to secure and to preserve rights under Indian treaties or agreements with the United States; to promote the common welfare of the American Indians and to foster the continued loyalty and allegiance of American Indians to the flag of the United States 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 shall be of five classes: a. Individual Membership. Any person of Indian ancestry in the United States or a Native of Alaska is eligible for individual membership. For the purpose of this section, an Indian is a person who is recognized as a member by a bona fide Indian tribe. b. Tribal Membership. Any bona fide Indian tribe is eligible for tribal membership.