CONSTITUTION
OF
THE SPOKANE TRIBE-SPOKANE RESERVATION
Wellpinit, Washington
ARTICLE I
ARTICLE II
ARTICLE III
ARTICLE IV
ARTICLE V
ARTICLE VI
ARTICLE VII
ARTICLE VIII
ARTICLE IX
ARTICLE X
ARTICLE XI
ARTICLE XII
ARTICLE XIII
ARTICLE XIV
ARTICLE XV
PURPOSE
TERRITORY AND JURISDICTION
MEMBERSHIP
RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
GOVERNING BODY
NOMINATION AND ELECTIONS
VACANCIES AND RECALL
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SPOKANE TRIBAL COUNCIL
BILL OF RESERVED POWERS
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COUNCILMEN AND OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS
AMENDMENTS
ADOPTION
PREAMBLE
We, the Indians of the Spokane Tribe, initially organized under a constitution and bylaws effective on June
27, 1951, in order to improve our recognized Tribal organization for management of our Tribal affairs, do
hereby establish this Constitution.
ARTICLE I - PURPOSE
Our purpose shall be to promote and protect the sovereignty, rights, and interests of the Spokane Tribe of
Indians.
ARTICLE II - TERRITORY AND JURISDICTION
The jurisdiction of the Spokane Tribe, acting through its government as hereby established, shall extend to
and include all lands and water areas within the exterior boundaries of the Spokane Reservation established
by Executive Order, January 18, 1881, and any extensions thereof, and all Spokane Tribal and allotted
Indian lands outside the exterior boundaries of the Spokane Indian Reservation.1
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership of the Spokane Tribe shall consist of:
(a) All persons of Spokane Indian blood whose names appear on the official census of the Spokane
Tribe as of January 1, 1951, provided that corrections may be made in said census by the Business
Council subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, as long as such approval is required
by law.
(b) All children of ¼ or more degree of Indian blood born subsequent to January 1, 1951, but prior to
midnight, September 1, 1963, to any parent who is an enrolled member of the Spokane Tribe and:
(c) All children of ¼ or more degree of Indian blood born after midnight, September 1, 1963, to any
enrolled member of the Spokane Tribe.19
(d) All persons whose names appear on the official enrollment records of the Spokane Tribe as of
midnight December 31, 2010 shall serve as the official census of the Spokane Tribe. 12
2
Revised Spokane Law & Order Code, 5/14/2013