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Minutes of the
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS
Convention held in Denver, Colorado
November 15 - 18, 1944

November 16, 1944

Afternoon Session

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 P.M. by the Constitution Committee.  Mr. Dwight stated that we should take our time in working up this Constitution and if we did not complete it this afternoon we would continue working on it at the evening session.

Messrs. Archie Phinney, Judge N. B. Johnson, Edward Rogers, Luke Gilbert and Antoine Roubideaux were on the Constitutional Committee. Mr. Phinney was Chairman of the committee.

The first point to be discussed was the name of the organization.  Mr. Phinney inquired if the Committee on Names was prepared to submit any recommendations.  The Committee did not have a report so the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee proceeded.  The preamble of the Constitution was read and the questions and suggestions were presented from the floor.

MR. LA VATTA:  Mr. Chairman, it would be well to include in the preamble, where we say the laws of the United States, the word "treaty."  Many of the tribes want that included.

MR. SHORT:  I agree with the gentlemen over here, if we can work that in.  Practically every Indian tribe of the United States has some kind of agreement or treaty with the Government.  I am only familiar with the Five Civilized Tribes, because I am a member of the Chickasaw tribe.  We have different treaties for which we have been trying for 40 years to get the Government to comply with.  If the purpose of the organization is to profit and benefit the Indians to get our treaty obligations complied with, I believe that it would be a good thing.

MR. FARVER:  I think you have another place down there if you want to insert treaties rather than at this place.

JUDGE N. B> JOHNSON:  There where we say "seeking a fair and equitable adjustment of our tribal affairs."

MR. PHINNEY:  We could insert "Under the terms of Indian treaties".

MR> McNICKLE:  Does that have the effect of narrowing the purpose?  It isn't an equitable treatment under treaties.  If that has the effect of narrowing your purpose, you want to settle that point.   
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