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[[image]] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR March 3, 1849

IN REPLY REFER TO:
Tribal Programs
14273-54

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

[[stamp]] NOV 17 1954 [[/stamp]]

Mr. Hiram B. Runnels
Nespelem, Washington

Dear Mr. Runnels:

Your letter of September 30 addressed to Assistant Secretary Lewis, has referred to this Bureau for reply. You question why the Commissioner, Bureau of Indian Affairs allows the Colville Business Council to use tribal money to cover expenses of delegates to attend meetings of the National Congress of American Indians. 
 
The members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have vested in the Business Council the authority to make recommendations concerning the disposition of tribal property which includes the cash assets of the Tribes. In approving the expenditure of tribal funds to cover the expenses of delegates or for any other purpose, this authority of the Business Council is taken into account. The people, in adopting the constitution and bylaws, also delegated authority to the Business Council to appoint committees and officers of the Tribes. The action of the Business Council in selecting delegates to represent the Tribes is in accordance with the constitution.

You object to the Business Council joining the National Congress of American Indians in behalf of the entire Tribe. The members of the Business Council are your elected representatives and if you object to any actions taken by the Council in behalf of the Tribes, you should make your views known to that body. Membership of a tribe in the National Congress of American Indians is a matter which must be decided by the tribe or its governing body. It is not a matter to be decided by the Commissioner, Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

A copy of this letter with a copy of your letter is being sent to the Area Director of the Portland Area Office, the Superintendent of the Colville Agency, the Chairman of the Colville Business Council and the Washington office of the National Congress of American Indians.

Sincerely yours, 
[[stamp]] (SGD) GLENN L. EMMONS [[/stamp]]
Commissioner

Copy to:
Area Director, Portland, Oregon
Superintendent, Colville Agency
Chairman, Colville Business Council 
NCAI, Washington, D. C
Assistant Secretary Lewis, Interior Department 
 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-02 08:50:09 image - seal of the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR March 3, 1849 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-02 10:03:12 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-02 11:54:36