Government
GOVERNING BODY:
The governing body of the Chinook Indian Nation shall consist of nine members of the Chinook Indian Nation including a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer. The term of office shall be three years. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected from the General Assembly.
VACANCIES:
Vacancies in the Council shall be filled by a majority vote of the Council for the unexpired portion of the term vacated. Any member eligible to vote is eligible to be elected to the Council or to any office with the exception of those convicted of a felonies offense. The official name of the governing body of the Chinook Indian Nation shall be the Chinook Tribal Council.
MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL:
The Council shall meet monthly, except special meetings may be called at any time and place by any Officer or Council person by requesting the Secretary to mail written notice thereof to the other members in sufficient time in advance of the meeting, not less than one (1) day, of the proposed meeting to enable each member to conveniently reach the place of meeting by the usual means of conveyance.
POWERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL:
The Chinook Tribal Council shall have the authority to propose amendments to this constitution; to propose amendments to by-laws; to call special meetings of the General Assembly; to negotiate with external governments; to acquire title to real estate; to lease, mortgage, contract, or in any such action as is necessary for proper management of such real estate; to employ legal counsel or such other specialists as may be necessary; to levy taxes upon all persons subject to Tribal Jurisdiction; to pass resolutions; to seek funding and enter into contracts; to adopt ordinances; to promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the businesses affairs and governing of the Chinook Indian Nation. To appoint delegates to sit on agency/original committees. The Chinook Tribal Council shall have the responsibility to act on behalf of the Chinook Indian Nation membership to carry out the purpose of this constitution as stated in the preamble thereto, providing that the powers designated to the General Assembly be respected and assisted but not over-ridden.
BILL OF RIGHTS:
Neither the Chinook General Assembly nor the Chinook Tribal Council shall pass any regulation, ordinance, law, or resolution that would:
- Make or enforce any law prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition for a redress of grievances;
- Violate the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable search and seizures not issue warrants but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the person or things to be seized;
- Subject any person for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy;
- Compel any person in any criminal case to be a witness against himself;
- Take any private property for a public use without just compensation;
- Deny to any person in criminal proceeding the right to a speedy public trial, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witness against him/her, to have compulsory process for obtaining witness in his/her favor, and at his own expense to have the assistance of counsel for his/her defense;
- Require excessive bail, impose excessive fines, inflict cruel and unusual punishments, and in no event impose for conviction of any offense, any penalty, or punishment greater than imprisonment for a term of six months or a fine of $500.00 or both;
- Deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws or deprive any person of liberty or property without due process of the law;
- Pass any bill of attainder or ex post facto law or;
- Deny to any person accused of any offense punishable by imprisonment the right, upon request, to a trial by jury of not less than six persons.
HONORARY TRIBAL CHIEF:
The title of the Tribal Chief shall be an honorary title conferred by the Chinook Indian Nation by popular vote and said Honorary Chief shall have no powers other than vested in him as a voting member of the Chinook Indian Nation or an Official or Council Member.
