UNITED ST24 TES '-- 

DEPARTJ~IENT OF i THE INrTELtIOR 

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS . 

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 

OF THE GJLA RIVER 

INDIAN COMMUNITY? <, ARIZONA, 

UNITED STATE3 

-QO'aRNBlLENT PRLNTItjG OFFICE 

WASHINGTON : 1960 
TJNTTED STATXS 

DEPARThTENT OF THsE INTERIOR 

BUREA-W OF INDIAN AFFAIRS 

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 

OF; THE GILA RIVER 

INDIAN COMMUNITY, ARIZONA 

-+ 

APPROVED MARCH 17, I960 

TXITES STATES 

GOmRWMENT PRINTING OWICE 

WASEINGTON : 1960 
. . .. ., 2 - 

- .@ONST$H,JTI[ON~ AND. -BEEZAW.S5;QIF:. .THE .>GILA , 3RSiVEB il ,A 

, s *:-.; INDIAN COMMUNITY~ OE AR~Z~ -. - - 

j.. !- ," ?." - i .., : .&- ,< 

1-1 ."._* _.I - A. . PREAMBLE - , 

We, the people of tlie Oil$ Ziaer 1ndinn Reservation, in order to 

sll-om .I-),i .ourgptitude to Almighty; god, and to preserve in ourselves $ha 4.9. , 1 ' rights of self government and t6'proiide'a medns for thi orderly transacbion of. community business,nnd . , the fre2 expression of the comrnunity will, do ordsin and establish this Canstitution arb Bylaws for 

the government. of the people *, of this reisrvation, henceforth . v to bo 

knorn as*ihe Gila River Indian Comm~~it~. 

' 

- 

-A!~TI~I,X I-TERRIS 

Section 1. For the convenience of brevity and unless otherwis~ specified, th6 following krms will be const~lred to hsve the meanings set 

forth in this paragrnph : 

(n) dCpminunity-Gila Sliver Indian Community. 

(b) Council-Gila River 1ndisn.Cornmunky Council. 

(c) ~eservbtion-~il a Xii.er Indian Besefvatiotioh, Arizona. 

(6) The Secretary of the Int6ii:ios-Thb' Secretery 03 Che Interior 

of the United Stntes, or his duly authorized representative. (e) ~u-perixi&ndent-~he Superintendent of tlie local oEceof tile 

Bureau of Indisrr Affsirs under whidl the Reservation is placed 

for sdministrative purpcsss, or Xis succ~sdr i~1 ofiice. 

f ) Governor- o over nor of the Gila Rioer Indian Cnrnrnunit,y. 

(g) Lieutenant Governor-Lieutenant ~over&r of the Gila Birer - " Indian ~b&unity: . . - 

'.(]I) 'Treasurer-Trezsuni of t11eGila. River Indian Community. 

i) _I ~e~~et~-~ecea' ,. of thi Gila River Indian Community 

'coun&il; . ' 

( j ) Councilrnan-Mnle or member of the Gila Biver Indian 

Cdrnmuxlty , . --- ~ouncii. 

(k) He-He or ~lie ; whereGer used the rnasculine-shall include the 

feminine. ' 

Set. 2. "he pr this ~o$t.itu'tion are mandatory, unless 

by sxpress words they we declnrea to be -otl~el*wise. Any ~Sestricti~ns on or limitations of rights or powers shall not 'restrict or lim3 
right.s or povers conveyed to the incorporated Community in its 

@lla~.t,er of Incorporation unless sl~ecificall ystated. 

**-- - _. e,, <.% 6 

@??e jur?sd?chon loi-%I&cConimuni'$ sl15ll-~extend-~t6 ;+I1 lands now 

-. ,2, #- . .' Ti._-. comprised nihn -the' ~e&rvntloh 'ii%i;iaXa'such othar.'Jands as msy 

hereafter be acquired for the use and benefit of the Community and ' . 9. i, s.5 > '- 

be addcd thereto. . . +-. - " - , . 

, , ARTICLE III-~~MBERS~-ZIP m . ,- .... - . . ," 

~--- - ,*..A <. .: - 

' ~e~tiol; 1. The @embiisl~ip df 'thQ'~omrnmit~ , , , . sl~all be iletkrrnined 2, -,. -* I 

as follows : 

(a) -411 persons of Indian blood +$cst;cse names appear, or rightfullp 

sllould appear, - .' on the offic~inl allotment roll-'of the Gila P' ~l-ver 

Reservntion**or WE! members or shbvld 'ln, rne4bei.s undzr <he 

Constitution and Eylams (Constitution ma Byla& of tl~e Gila 

River Pima-Maricops Indian Cornmunity, Arizona) appro\-ed 

May 14? 1936. 

jb")' Ali child yen ,of members nh~rerer born shall be entitled to 

m~n?bership in.ihe Gommunity if they sre of nt lsst one-fourth b k 

Indian blood. , 

Set. 2. A census for the purpose of estzblishing a ~urrent~anclomplete roll of the members ,of tlie -Community shall I i be taken within 

three geus from the date oj ithe adoption .of illis Constitution, and 

&humsfter every Len (!0). years ps coincides mitli hhe gmeral .Csnsus 

of the,United States, 

Sec. 3. A member rrho establislles residence-off the Geservat'ion and 

remains amay from the i7eserka.tion conti~luousl~ 'for a period of 

- i, .-- ,, ent? (30) years shall sutoma.i,ic,ziiy forfeit membersllip. f f he * d 

returns to ths Reservation, a ., he may be rtlinstated as a member by r 

majority -rrute of the Couqcil 

Sec. 4. The Council sllall autllosity to prescribe rules t 

bs folloved in,com=piling s mernbe~ship roil in sccordance with t J e . orovisionq .of this article, the coinpleted roll to be spbro+sd by 6s & 

eommu~iity ~buncil not less tlian ninety DO^ dsys &niter tll;e.qnie has . . 

be9n presented for approt - $, ' 7 - Sec 5. Any person ~ho mitied from the m~mE~r- (,'2/ ' l' ship 2011 shall have the right -,to petition the Community Court to,.- 

have his name ineluded on the roll. Copy of such shall be 

served on the Secretary. Decision of the Community Court shall be 

final unless mithin sixty (60) days s notice of appezl to the Council be -.. 

given bi petition~r or the Sscretnx-y. . . '. 
. ... 

poner td.inact a ordiniicnces, I subj ect to r.eview of thee S-ececltetary of the 1n terie?, goyerning jresen t and 

future membership, losq qf membership, . . and the L?L. aaojgion of m6rnben .il . . bgLthe C!omm*nity. . I 

. . . ' r .-i , ' .. , :, I,' ".. ' .,,," i 

~RTI~% ., n-XIGIITB . b?? &IEM~~EBS 

All political poier is inherent in the people. Gover?iments #, derive ' 

their just powers frornttlle -consent o.f:;the governed, and are estab- 

'lislied to protect and maintain individual rights. 

A frequent recurrkce to f~~lldamental principles is ezsentinl to the - 

security of individual rights and the perpetuity of free governrnexlt: 

1. No person shall be deprived of life, li'krty or property without 

due process of law. , 

2. The right of petition 2nd of the people pencenbly to assemble 

shall never be abridged. 

3. Every person may freely spsak, rite, znd publish on nll subjects, being respollsible for the abuse nf thak right. 

4. NO person shall be disturbed in his privnte'aEsirs, or his horns! 

invaded, mithout nutliority of law, 

5. Justice in all cnses siiall be administered openly, a>d bithout 

unnecessary delay. 

6. 411 ele~~tions shsll be free nnd equal, 2nd no pover shall st - 

any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right 

of suBrngp,. < 

7. F~aeedorn of religion or conscience shall not be abridged. - 

The enumeration in this Constitution of the foregoing rights slia-U 

not be construed as del-lying or disparsging other funclnrrientsl rights 

of the people. Y- ARTICLE b --GOSZI:I.TING CODT , 

Sectior~ 1. The governing body of tha Conurnunity shall bu l~o.ci-n 

as the Gila Eiver Indian Community Council' and rall-~on~ist of 

seventeen (17) members3 iaho shall bs elected by the q alified voters of 

their 

Sec. 

respective districts. 

2. Ea,ch district of the Reservation shal) bs repres&ted 

! 

by one 

councilmnn, plus one councilman for each adkitiond.thme hundred 

(300j members in errco,ss of GZB Ilrzi~d~-e:! fifty-one (?5>~'-memhrs 

residing in the diktrict. In the event that, on the basispiescribed, tks 

number of councilmen so determined should exceed 'or be less than 

seventeen (I?), the unit of apportionment for representatives in excess of one shall be increased, or decrewed, by ten (10)..u~r such 

multiple of ten (10) as will maintain the number of r,owcilmen at 

ssventeen (1'7). 
Sec. 3. Nine (9). members of the Council shall c.onstitute a quorum $. for tile .tr$nsnctibn of bus&'e~s.' 

See. 4: The . ~o$&ngi,. q br in iljs nbsenci the Lieutenant Governor, 

mill be the presiding bffickr br the Cbuncii. He ilia11 be-permitted to 

participate in discussion and sllnll be permitted to vate only in the 

case of a tie. His functions at Council meetin~sllnll be in confo~.ma- %: 1 ' 0--*. : 

ance mi t11 B ylsrrs or~drbnances of tie Corninun~t~- 

In .th6 'a%se~ica of the Governor snd? lieutenant Governor the 

Council shall elect an acting chninl~a~l from among its own members. 

+, ARTICLE Vl-QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICE^+ 

Section 1, hTO person shall be elected or hold office ns Governor, 

Lieutenant Gos-ernor, Chlef Judge, - 2:ssdciate Judges, or Councilmen 

unless he (I) is a member of tlle Community; (2) has reached tho 

age of twenty-five (25) years; (3) llns been living in the particular 

district ile is represmt for nt least sixty (60) days inqrnedintely preceding the s19ctio ; (4) has been living on the Eessrlrrtioil for at Iezst 

one yenr immdintoly the*election. Adclitionnl qualificniions may be prescl-ibed bp ordinance. '. See. 2. No person milo, within the genr precedhg the election, has 

been conricted of n crime in~olviz~g moral t.uz.pitucle shall be. eligil~le 

to 11014 oi"nc,e in the Community. 

ARTICLE \TII-IL?I'~~~~~~~ C)FFICIALS AND CO~E~LITTEP,BIEN 

Section I. 7'212 Secretnrjr shall be nppoi.nteil by tile Gou~lcil fro= 

~ithin or without its nwn ~rlemisership. He shall be 8, member of the 

Comurli ty. n 

aec. 2. Tl~e Trensurer ~11x11 he al7pointecl bg the Corrncil from 

:vithin sr nitllout tl~ nlembersilip c~f the Coi~~rrltlnit~y. 

Sec. 3. Standing Corninitiees nnd Boards sllall be npoin-led by 

the Council from xiillin or vithout its own m2mbership. 

Sec. 4. Special Committees slznll he .ppoiqted'by the Governor, 

from ~iil~in or ~rit.hout the membership ! of the Con~munit.y, when such 

committ.e,es are nutllorized by the Council. 

-. - - 

! 

4' Section 1. .Councilmen sllill be elected frpw their respective districts 

lor s term of three (3) penrs. They shill take office at the first regular 

Council. meeting inJune follonring their electi~n nnd shall serve until 

$heir respective successo1.s h:~-ve been duly elected. and qualified. m Sec. 2. I he Goyernor, tile Lieutenant Gove~mor, the" Chief Judge 

nnd Associate Judges sllall Le eiccted from the Community-at-large 
2' I 

- * 

for a term of three i3:), -years. ~hrj shall E3k$ office the first day of 

January follo win ing their election, and ihdl skrve inti1 their Irespectirs. 

successors have been :duly elected -- * ,. and q$lifiedi The incumbent GOV- . > . ~ 2 25;~~~ 

ernor and Lieutenant Go~mnor, wT!ose terms would hbrmally.,expire 

October 1960, -endtrtlie incu&beni: -,* ., '~h$f Juage ind ~ssociate dudges , 

shall serve untilJanuary 1, 1961, in ora& &j'$i+mit odbrly establish- - - 

ment of the tenureprovided -. .- , fnt~is iiionstitution. % 

Sec. 3. The Secretary shall be jppointea GY the 'Council .at its &st, ' . 

regular meeting in June for a period of one year beginning JuLy 1s~. 

Sec. 4. The Treasurer sllall be appointed by the Council at its first 

regulnq meeting everJ third June leginning June 1960 for a, period of 

three (3) years begirining the succeeding July 1st. 

Sec. 5. Standing Committeemen or Board members shall be 'sppointecl for pel'lods of three (2j years, unless otllermise ordered.by the 

council. 

S~C. 6. Specid Committeernsn are appointed lor u specific purpose 

and vhen thgi'r nssignment is completed the con~n1i"itee shall autoxati~all y be dikisscslvid. 

Sec. 7. Should it becorns nemssary, becscse DLS vacancies, to mska 

appointments other than at krsc reg~iar Council meeting in June, 

th3i fraction of s year in mllich the appointment is made shall constitute a full year tomhrd the term of appointment, but compensation 

sHail be based upo~ the time nctudly ser~ed. 

Sec. 8. Elected or appointed nficials msy be ~~!ected or ~ppointed 

for SUCCD~SS~V~ terms. 

Sec. 9, The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Chief Judge, Associste 

Judges, Councilmen, and officinls duly appointed or decteci to ofice 

prior to the sdaptiorr of this -Constitution %hall ser:re until their respecti~e successors h'zve been duly elgcted or a_npoir~td c-nd qualified. 

~I?GLE LX-VAGANC~S 

R 

Section 1. During-e absence or incbiiity of the Governor, the 

~ieutenant Governo shall have 811 POWI~S, privileges and duties of 

-. . . the Governor. ., 

~ec. 2. The Eouncil shall declare thsd a r~awic~ exists whek a 

Governor, Lieutenant GoveXor, Chief Judge, Associate Judge, or 

Councilman is rembvk&dr csuse, resign5 moves from the Resewntion, or when'a @ouncilman moves from the district he represents. 

Sec. 3. Should a vacnncg exist from any cause whatsoever in the 

ofice of Governor, the Lieutenant -Governor shall immediately sueceed to the Ofi~e of Gpvzrnor, .and the office of Lieutenant Governor 

1 silnli t'nsreu pon be vac~nt. 
Sec, 4. Should a vapncy exist from any cause whatsoever in the ,, - 

ofice of Lieutenant Gouernw, ,Cliief ~udpe, Asio~intb Judge, or Cowci1rnnn;'n .success~r shal;l 6; * dectid , *, k 3 specid election called by theCouncil mithin sixty 460) d'dyFfter"t1;e vaacabc~occuis:'The~ccessor shall hdld ace &ti1 the, kxpii&6* of '%"lie re&ilar"te~rn- of- his 

pr odecisso*;- Sliould n occur +ithi< six c6) months or less 09 

the regularly scl~edulsd ellc'ction, . $I;& +. ~odicil rnnj mzive the speoial 

electioR and -~llow the vgcnnc? -;to exkt &ti1 he succkssor is elected at , - . A the repllsrly sch-eduled electiqn. . . . < I ' 

I? ~TICLE X-EL~CTION~ *. 

Section 1. The election of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, 

the Chief Jud$e nnd the Associate Judges sllnll be held triennially on 

the first Tun,sdng nfter the first Idonday in No~en~ber, beginning November i960. 

See. 2. The election of Councilnien shall be.held annually or, the 

first Tuesday in &hy, beginning Rl~ty 1960, for Counci'imeri whose 

terli3s expire the f ollo-ving June. 

Sec. 3. M1 - adult mehber's of the Community, male or female, who 

llnre attained the 6ge of twenty~one gears shall, unless non compos 

rne~tis, have ihe right to ate in any election. 

Sec. 4. The manner c+f m&ing nominations 2nd lioiding elections 

 hall be in cbnformii~ with appropriate ordinances enacted by thoCouncil. 

Sec. 5. The Council shall be the fills1 judgs of dl elections. 

,!LRZIICLE ~~~-DIBTRICT~ 

Section 1: For Furposes of reprcsp,ntn.tio~ an2 sdminist;ation the 

Reservntion s!lsl! Le divided into seven (7) Zistrjc.ts, as follows : 

District 1 shall consist of all of thst portion oi the Reservation iccluded in Sect ons 1,2,'3,10,11,12,13,14,15,22,23,24,25~ 26, 27,34, 

35, snd 36, T/ wnship 4 South, Range '7 Emt; Sectio~s I? 2, 3, 10, 11, 

12, 15 and.22, Township 5 South, Range 7 East; and oll of Townships 

4 and 5';South, Range 8 East (North and South Blackmnter). 

District 2 ~1~~~1 cansid of nll of that portion of &he Beservation includedin SectiongY4, 5, 6, ?, 8, 9,16, i'i, IS? 19, 20, ?1, 28,, 29, 34 31, 32, 

aid 33, ~ownsl~i'4 South, Ranee - 7 East; znd Sections 4, 5; 6,7, a,!?, 

16,1'7, 18; 10, 20, and 21, Township 5 South, Range 7 East (Sncstoh 

Flats). 

Bistrict 3 s'nsll zdri'sist of all vf that porii~n of Lhe Reservation 

lying south of the Gila River and included in Townships 4 ~nc! 5 

South, Rs~ngs 6 Esi (Cottontvood, Sacaton and Prog,.essius Coion:;) . I. 
3 I ,/ . 

llistrict 4, sll:~ll collsist of nll of tli:~t 1)o1~1 in~zcof tlie, Jteservntion ly: 

i 110;9111 of l lie 6il:L IZirel* in Ton:11511iPs 2, 8, nlid.4 Sbuth, lZnllges4, . 

5, nnl G I ICnsLc *,,,, (Snli t 911, a Jdaer s S:iiila~i,+ -. Stotonic; , p Srial;eto\~~i ,2-11d , .. - > i , I- Gooclycar) .' * , \ 

. - - . - i " <>",A> "*<*" * a, -. '. ' ,* . . . " 4,; 

District 5 slinll consist. of all 'of tl;:1t.~6rfioli'luf +the Reseirvntion;?ying a. 

soutl~ of thc Giln River. ill To-r~.nsllil)s 3:4 a~icl 5 South, Ra~lges 4and , 

j. GI58 -(Sv-eet.miter,-Dnpchnle( Pnll-ki JT?el,cnmp w :ind *‘ -$.2 Sacn k be) . Disti,ici 6 slinll coilsidt of all of *tlint poriioq,of ills ~eservj;tian in-' 

- ol~ided in 'fou-r.nsllips 1, 2, 3, and 4 Soutli,.Ua~~ge 2 u!d $.~ast (Salitn 2: > , 1 

CI-uz, Giln Cr-ossing niirl Go-01)) . , ', I ., . A 

District 'i sllnll consist of :dl of tliat portion of the ~eservatiom included in ~o~\-~.l;shi~ 1 P?ortli 2nd Tonnsliips i uid 2 SOU&, Range 1 

E:xt jMnricbpa District). 

Sec. 2. Tlie Cou~icif fl*om tilne to time mag by o~*dil:n~ica cl13ngs the 

f ol.egoillg il~i~iber 'n.nd nrea of Disti-icts nccording to the cl-lnnge in 

popui:~tion. , d. 

Scc. 3. Znch ciistrict rnny elect n DistriCt- CouncIi made up of a 

repreientntive' from eadl of the villages or settlements mj thin the district: in conformity with ordinmces wliich nsy be &acted by the 

, ~Luiicil. A Pistl.ici Couliril sllnll sesre as all ;~d~risoi-y bor.rbil and 

sll:ll pe~for~n sucll oilier locnl nd~~~inistrntizre duties as nxny bc nssigllecl to it by tI~",huncil. The Uisilvict Councils sIlall not 11nve 

po\.c-er to adopt or ellact -regulnLory n~easu~e+ 

ARTICLE XII-~EM~VAL Fnopr OFYICE 

~ection'l. Any oEiicinl of the Communitjr T~IO is finally convicted irt 

z. Federal, Stnte or lndinn Goult of any offense involving moral turpituds shall n,utomstica.lly be renloved from office. 

Sec. 2: hpy elected olficinl of the Community V~IIO is Z~i1i113 by -11-1~ 

Council to be guilty of il~lproper co~lciuct or gross neglect of duty - or- to 1i:~ve failed to perform the duties ,of his ofice for x period of 

sixty (GO) dn~rs unless excuser1 therefrom by the Counci.1, may be expelled by the nflirmntive.~rote ,of not less tllnn twelvn, (lg) of the COUHIcil members favori~ig Sucll expulsi~li; provided that the ncqused oEci 21 

sl~nll first be given0 ifull nlld fail, opi>ortuniiy to reply to s11y 2nd 11 / - charges nt a designnted Gouncil meeting. 

F4' . A wit.te~i stnte~~iel~t of tlle chn~,g_ycs against sucll charged oficial 

sl1:~11 b2 mnileci post.nge pl.epni(l or clelivered to his 7nst known plnce 

of abode nt least re11 (10) d:~ys Sefore the meeking at mhicll lle is to 

.. allpmr. All vitnesses ~equestecl by sncll official sliall be subpoenaed ' 

, by the Council. '77"hen the C:ouncii is sitting for impenchlnent purposes, nll nritnesses sltnl! testify 1111c1er ontll or. nfirmat,ion. Tl~e dew cision of tlle Council shnll be finnl. 

;7,:4s7- fro-.- 2 
Sec. 3. The Council*shall ennct ordinances u-lilch n-ill clefine r~lint -, . 

constitvtes (1). dinproper concluct; (2) n c<me invalvjng . - m6rd 

," -2. . . turpif ude; and (3) gross,neglecf duty. ,.. ' 2 * 

Sec. 4. Every electecl officinl bf the ~o;dmunity is ;ubji&t to recall - 

by qoters 6f the djstrict or districtq.from-,phi-cll s < .> he yas elected:nS 

fO1lOT$l :4-6.- .'..' I I> . 5 . . P, I, >\I_ ~.;~' a- 

. n *J', . *I 

. , 

. > 

? ,. 

(a) ~~cnll hky:bi initiaied by n. recall otition signed by s number 

of quilifiid'$6tb+s . ?- efieedihg A tventy percent (20%) of the +ite ' 

c;& for the pos'itioii ;lt the 9xst electtion: Petitiol~ I a,* sllnll /I befiled 

~itll the Secrebry 71-110 slinll, 77-itllin fire .(.5) cln,yr,serve not,jc;oh 

tl;e ofizinl bj; mailing' notice to the oficial's last k&&n kddrkss. 

(b j ~~-e;~-y rec~ll pot.ition must coninin n stntenlei~ t, in not, moie tllnn 

t.1~0 Ilundretl (200) n-orcls, of the grouncls of such demand and 

rnust Le filed nt the ofiice of tlie Council. Ench signer of such 

rec,nll petition must add to !]is signature, the date of his signing 

snid petition nnri his pl:~ce of residence. The mzrk of a person 

unnble -to rrrite his name must be ~itn~ssed by two persons :ihs 

sl~nll sign c"~s vitnesses. Tl~e person circulating such petikbxr * 

must make and subscribe nr! oath om each sheet thnt the signatures 

thereon are genuine. 

(cj If said off cia1 offers his resig~~xt,iion it sllall be :~utorn,zt,icnlly nccepted. If Ile dues 11ot resign witllill ten (10) days zfter recall 

petition is filed, nn election shnll 1~ orde~ed by .the Co~incil to be 

11r.ld not,, less 'l1in1-1 t.ventj (20) nor Inore tllaii thirty (30) days 

after such order to cleielnline wl~e!!ier~ s11c11 officinl slln.11 Le rec.zlleci. Sucll recdl may 11e Ilclcl nt n special election called for 

tllnt, purpose or lnny be l~elrl :it tlle s:lme tjn.ie :IS and concnrr.eni 

;:-it11 nlly otller electiols. Mot .less tl~nn ten (10) dnys prior to tJle 

elec!ion,tl;e officinl m:.y file ~~it.11 flle. 1201111cil a 5tnt.tme1lt of justific.~tion contnini~ig not more tlmn two 1-iundraed (200) 'words. Ox 

the ballot of sud? rlcttbinn s1:nll Le pfinied the i9snson for recall 

as sct fo~~th 5n tmhe pet.i tion, nncl suc,Il justificntion ns has bee11 filed 

by the oficinl. He sllnll continue to llolcl oflice until the result 

of snicl electio~l ~1~111 be nficinll y cleclnred. 

i d ) No 1~ec;~I1 petit.i,m sl~nll be circx11nt.e.d xgninst nny officinl 1tht.iI he 

slln.11 l~nvo, 11elcl ])is ofice for n per:iad of OIE (I) yenr. hfte~ one 

, rsc:~11 ~)cti"tion and electisn, no fustl~er. recall petitions sliall be 

filr~tl ng:-~inst~tlle sanx ofi-cia1 within one (I) ge.nr frorn said recall 

electtion, No recall election shnll be held if x11 e,lection for the 

ofice is scl~eduled witllin ninety (DO) days after tile filing of €he 

-1.ecxl1 petition. 
,- .- : i: - - 

Sec. 5. Any pficinl, c&m-nitiee sf. s, : memier or board -member nppointed 

by the Council may be remowed oi discharged by n rnzjority vote of 1: the Council. ,* , - 

LTr oLE XIII~EI~I?ERE~TD~?X I. 

. . . 2 I -.\ 

I-(. . 1 r 

~eferendum on any enacted or proposecl ordi~lallce or resolution 

or otl~dr axtion of the Council sl~all be .called 1137 n petitiin of ten 

percent (10%) of more of tile qualified ~-obers of tile ~prnkjqit~ or 

by resolutio~~ of,the Oouncil. Sucll referendum may 'be likld at a 

special election cnlleci for thnt purpose or may .be lleld at the same 

time as and coi~current witll any otl~er election. , klle result OF such 

referendum sllsll be imineclinteiy not.ed in the Council minutes by the 

Sec~betar-y and shnll be conclusive and binding upon t31s Council. 

AETICLZ 311 V-I NITIATIYE 

Section 1. %he people of the Community reserve unto thernselv~s 

thg polver to propose ordinances, resolutions, or other actiocs independerltly of il~e Council. 

Ssc. 2. Any proposed irlitistive rneosure shall. be prese~~ted to the 

Cou~lcii~cconipnnied by n petition signed by not less tllsn Len peseenk 

( 105% ) c~f the cjunlified ~oters of the Community. Upon receipt 02 

sucll petition the Council sllxll -within sixty (60) days.: 

(a) Adopt the initiated mencure without alteration, or 

(b) Set tlie lnatter for vote of the qualified voters at an election 

to be held ~vitllin one hondre; twenty (120) days of the 

time such petitioir vns presented. Suclz election may be held 

ni n, special election cnllecl for that, purpose or mny be lreld 

at the same time ns ~nd concurrent vitlz nny other election. 

Sec. 3. The ~esult of sudl initiniive elsction sllnll be binding upon 

tl~e Council. 

-~RTTCLE i;TT-i?o~~r"s~s OF YIIE GILA EITER INDIAN COP~LMU~~TITT 

COUNCIL 

Sec. 1. The Council shall exercise the follo~~?iug pvers, subject 6s 

any limitations imposed by the applicable statutes of the United States 

snd ibbject further to all expressed yestrictions upon such powers 

contni~led in this Constitution. 

(a) po~ers nat subject to reviev by the Secretary of the Interior, 

excspt mhere specifically reqcired by Law, 

(1) To negotiate rith the Federal, State 2nd local governmen,&s 

on behnlf ~f the Community, 
\ 

(2) To enlrdloy lejinl cou~lscl, tl;e clloice . - 9* of counsel nnii fixing of 

fees to be subject tn hi,pl.l;.al of the ~ecrstnr~ ofthe bderior, 

sd 1o11g 3s SUCI; api~i~ovnl iskqlil;ed by Pederi! Low. ' 

(3) To I)I,CJ~CII t t 110 S:LIC, disj)~si tio.1.~~ $. . Iensc, -A use . 01. ei~c~inlb~.nnce 

of Con~lnuility lands, it~ielkst's in laiids, or otl~er Cuiillnuility 1, ' r. ., * , . I .$ - assets. . 1 ., , I& ,, 

(4) To .nilvise tile Sec~otnry bf .l.Ile Interior nncl the Cor~gress of 

the uiiitid Stitei of th&isli lies of the com~nunity 11-ith regard td Federal i~rojedts or nliproprjation for the benefit of 

the Cominuni by. - . 

(5) To nppoint snbo~~rTi~i:tlr'offici:~ls, committees nnd konrds, and 

to pr-cscribe tllcir cluties nncl powers. 

(6) To provide For tlie nlnllner of conducting electio~is. 

(7 ) To reg11l:~te its 0n.n pt.ocedu~.e. 

(8) To ~begulnte tl~e dorr~esiic rel:lt.io!is of ~ncrii'oel,~ of t!~e 

C'orr~munity. 

(I)) To p~*o~nnf e and p~otecthe Ileitltll, pc:ice, mornls, cclucntion, 

and gel~el-nl 77-e1fal.e of tlic ('on-~~nuni ty nnil i t,s members. 

\( 10) To espe~icl nioneg in cnnfosmnllce n-itll :zn ndopt.ed budzet. -. 

(11) To espelicl for :my +p~tl>lic purpose for ally iiscnl yenr sn 

amount equai, i~ ten pe.rce11t. (10%) of the anticipated net 

revenue accoi.ding to tlie c111.rellt budget.. - (12) To act for and on bellnl? of menilers of the Cornlnuniiy at 

the recluest of sucll members. 

(13) To ndnliniste~. all Co~nrnui~it~y property. 

(14) To transfer. or collvej7 t~ibsl nssets to the incor.porxtec! Colnrnunity n~lcl Lo cont,r.:~ct ~-;i th t lle i~icol.por.at.cd Colnmuility 

for management of t,z.iL)nl assets. 

( 15 1 To recognize xlljr district coinmit t4ees, nssocintinns or ctli sr 

orgnnizztions operl t.o t?le members of tlle Comn?unity and t.o 

, approye such o~.ganizntions, subject Ilomeve.r, tn the pi-ovision t.11nt no such co~nr~littee, nssocintion or oi*gnnizntio11 may 

nssunle sut.hor.ities specificslly gl-anted to tllc Council unless 

b37 n I)L'OPM. clclegntioll of ~ut~llority by tl~e Council. 

i 

8 (16) To I~T-y clues, fees, and t,xses on menlbers of the Cornn1unit.y. 

(17) To provide for the mnintcnence 0.f lm and order and tile 

nclrnillist rnti on of just.ice. Ijy establisllin,rr 5 CO~III~IU~I~ ty COIZ rt 

snci police force nllcl clefining the povers and i3utie.s t;herc~f- 

(18) To do such other acts of governmental or public nature as 

are not ~)~oliibited byspecifically npplicnble Federal laws or 

by this Consii tutian. 

(19) To pass oril iilnllczs necessnr_v or incide~itnl ?D the exercise of 

any of the fol.egoilig powers. 
' jb)' Subject >o &vikm fiy tll? Secrotary.of tile Interior* :. 

(1) TO P&Y:~$->~ oidinbnce .for %lhe appointment of ,gumdi.ans 

, ' f6.f mi&& md rn&rkil incbrnpetents. - ' 

, .,. / J 

-- - T *,* 

9) T4 pr&crik niles of inlleritance whith shall not .be in con- ." , $ " .%?. --. 

aict mit~s~ecifi&a~i'~y' &$pl'iezble Fedecal , . ," i; - 

(3y '~d'lkvy du&, Td; indA't.iises on' non-mkmbers. residing or 

doing business within the Reserrlntion. 

(4) To Provide bi,;or&&a;ljceio-i-_jrernovn.l or exclusion from tile 

tefritol~ ..a rr ' oT ._ the Cokfiuiii ty non-members, wGGse. prespnce 

mpy , bs' inj -. urioud to the $si3c,. hedth, or pielfar* of 

~o&diit~. I- 

(5) To rkgulsie the use and disposition of properky of members 

of the Cornmuni tg, insof 3r as such use and disposition nilects 

the ve!f are of the-Comm~11it.y st large. 

(6) To estnl~lish nnd rbgdnta subordinate arganizatiocs for 

bi~siness purposes. Id 

(7) To pul-chase or othem~ise acquire properby of members of 

the Community for public purposes and to scquire sn.nl9 

under condemnstion proceedings in .courts of competent 

j i~risclic~tion. +O 

/- 

(S) To enact crimillnl and civil ~.odes or ordinznces goverTLing 

the collduct of members of the Community :,nd non-members 

on the Reseri~ation. 

(9) To prepare and adopt budgets. - 

(10) To pass ordi~lances necessary or incide~~tal to the exercise of 

any of the foregoing powers. 

Sec. 2. Any resolution. or ordinance vhich? by the terms of this Constitution, is subject to revien by the Secretary of the Interior shall be 

deii~ered to the Superintendent not lster than five 45) Gays after en.- 

actnent and the Superintendent sliall note the date ~i receipt on the 

original and the Cocncil copy. The Superintendent v4thin ten (10 9 

days after receipt of the resolution br ordinsncesfi. eith~r bpprove nr 

disapprove it in writing. The ordinance or resol Yf ion shall be deemed 

approved if not specifically disniproved mithin ten (10) day period. 

If $he ~u~erhtendent shall ipprboe iny brdirisnce or iesolution or 

f iil to act within t&-( 10) days, it shall thereupon b&me ebeoti~e but 

the Superintendent shall transmit s copg1bear5ng hidndonernent to 

the Secretary of -the Interior, vho'may, by written n&ce to the Council 

within ninety ($0) daps from the date of enactment rescind the said 

oriiinannce or resolution. Such res&ssion hsll not aEect'the legality 

of action -taken under provisions of the ordinance or resgbtion prior *. 

to n~tific~stion of the action or" rescission. \ 
If the Superintendent shall disapprove qny o~dinance or resolution j 

. 

submittea to him, he shall in writing ndqise*the Council o? his reasons 

therefor within ten (10) days after it6 re6kjpt.. If t%&e , -,. feisbns a eg -> appeer* ihsuffi6ient tb :the +Councilil, itmay by %nj brjtf 2: =iz,AJ dote, . refer the 

ordinance or resolution ta: tho Secret;Lrg of:'tileJnter~b~ ., . $. .% wko shall 

witiiri:~60) dnj.s.of its refei-znl, apprpv'e or disagpiov& I. / the same in 

- writing. . . - - : \. . , 

JWeII the apprbval of the superintendent is requires $+i&e any 

. . particular 'action .of .the +Council Inq hecorn6 effective,,' the Secretary 

of the Interior,, where germittea by ~em,-ma~ in +ritiAg Ghve this 

requirement for such periods as Ile in 1-lis sole di~creti~n'cieems fit. 

Sec.3. The Council may exercise such further powers 'as may in the 

futur6 be delegated to ihe Clornmunity by the Seeretnry of the Interior, 

GI- by 31157 other duly :,uthosized ofiicizl or agency gf ths Government. 

Sec. 4. Any rights md pavers heretofore vested in the tribes or 

bands of the Gila River R,wervation but not e.xpressly referred to In 

this Constitution shall not be abridged by this article, 

A~nw XV~[--LA ND AND PROFER~ 

Section 1. The =~nnllotted lands of the Giln River Indian Reservation znd all isnd; ~kich map he acquired here sfter shall be Cornmuni t~ Iands. 

Sec. 5. Tile Council in its discretion ma? adopt ordinances in conformity ~Fth wl~ich C~rn.mullity lands may be pssigned for beneficial 

usa and occupancy t,o members of the Community. 

Sec. 3. Any owners of allotted lands shnll not be compelled to 

relinquish liis land or any part thereof, Ilo~~-ever? allotted lands or any 

pnrt thersof n1n7 be condemned for Communi$ public works, or lko 

Camrnunity public purposes, snd in such cases the lsndovner shsll 

receive in return for the. condemned land just and equitab'ls compensation prior to the taking. Condemnation sha3 not become 

eEective until approved by the Council. 

This Constitution and Bylnws~msy be amended by s majority vote 

of hhe quslifkd voters of the Gila River Indian Community voting in 

an election called $or the purpose by the Secretary of the Interior, 

provided that at least thirty (30) percsnt of those entitled to vote shall 

vote in such election; but no amendment shall become effective until 

it shnll have been approved by the secretary of the Interior.' It sl~all 

be the duty of the Secretary o$ the Interior to ;all an d2sstion on axy 

proposed crnendllxnt at the request of the 'Clolzncil or upon receipt of 

o ?itition signed by five hundred (500) eligible voters, m5mbers of 

the Community. 
BPfiA WS OF TRE GILA RtVER, :lNDZAU OPCPn%MUNITY ","-s - -- + . is-. a"'"". -. -t ' .&;"',--2 , .*, , I _ * 

-. I" 2 c, ,- % :,i'-*;>*.>;., 

Section 1 . - E +ch- elkid* 2nd eachA a,*point2ed 'officG' 'sliall haw such a - <~<7 .IS .-=. -a,,s~;+, <A* $ > *", 

pomers nnd perform such duties asvrii-e GIekcri~eii Ijj;thibon~~i~t.ution . land Bylarrs., ..-+=--. w the. -,-,&, Colpqlunn.i&y s , prdin ances, or t5gvp~o&cill -,LW1f. hin :. a 

" '7 i '*+- Y. 

ninety 490). daf~? dt?~ ,." ... ~adoptioq~6f%fi'if;"~onst~tiiti6~~8iid~~~~1aws~- . x -; pu 

the ~~uncil +- ,*. , &hail " v adopt ---. o;~ihik;ed .- specifici?ly aksignaiidg?$owers>and . t. . ,, , 

duties of officers. ., . ,". I.:.$ '.;-$f~a"&lqd *,' . ~. 

Seq.-Z.The Governo~ shall be the chief executiire. b%cer. of the. . >- . . 4-, > . . - - .. emnrnunity, ., ,. - 1, .? .&A3 .(*- >;A. >% > 

Sec. '3. ?li ~ieut&ihni-~ooerndk s7lnll'~a~sist-+dl8Governor vhen 

cnllecl tipontto do so,. 

Sec. 4. lie Skcrdnry shall be'ihe of-ECinl' ciistodian of all files! 

records, and cor~.espo~ldence of th.v Coinmunity nnd cif the Comlmpnit_~~ . 

seal. He sllnll prepare nll minutes, res~lntisn and-ordinances enncted 

by t,he Council 2nd transmit required copies,to the ~u~erinknclent. 

Sec. 5. . ". The Treasurer shall ,zc,cspG receive, give rp,ceipt for 2nd 

snfegunrd ell funds of the Gomnuni2.g. As directed by the-Council, 

11s shall deposit dl funds,-*?thout limitation on the -amount, in any 

account, in any nntiollnl or stnbe bank whdse deposits are ., ., insured by 

cny agency of tlie Federal ~ov;rnment; or deposit funds riih bonded 

disbursi~lp ,- o.fficer of the Unitd States. deposits shnll bp, made 

in the name of the Gila li.ive:. Indinn Comrnlinity. 'E'lie Couccil may 

require deposits in Lariks h /I - to be collnternlized. He shnll not pzf or 

disburse any funds of %he Comxunity escept when properly authorized'to do so bj:ti~e Council. ,- 

At th3 sec.o~ld regulzr Council meeting each month he shall submit 

a. written report. of reciigts, disbursements: ,and the bnln~lce in e,zcla 

sepal-nte sccount for the preceding calendar month. 

We mzy deiignlnri a dnly bonded agent to perforrri any of iLis enties 7 under his direction. hsecuted copy of such designation must be 

filed with the Secretary. - , a r-l 1113 books and ret rds of the Treasurer shall be audited at lenst 

once s year and at uch other times ns the Council may direct, by s, 

firm of certifi~d public accountants employed by the Co~u~~ciil. 

The. ~r3asur~ xnd all othefs handling Cbmrnunit.y Funds shall be 

bonded by n corporate sureQ 011 the list approved - - by the United 

S tntes ~reasur~~~e~artnyk t, in an amount sa tisf nctorg to the Council 

and approved by the ~gcretar~ of the intsrior. The Council may suthorize a bianlret bond. 

Sec. 6. The duties and jurisdiction of the Chief Judge snd Associate Judges will be enurnerateb and set forth in ordinances of the 

Ceuncil. 
= (. ,.i 

, < + t.<< " , . :P ;<.', : " 

Sec. 7. d ddg electea ~omc~1rnz.n shall 'not loie ikii rigl~t$o pote - -- -# :. 

at Gouncil d-ceetings becqqse o$ membersllir - ,. on ?... >- any %committee or 

holding -~anypiiice'othe~'ha;d ~;di.e&6\, Lieutenant ~oh~nor, Dlilef -. ,"+\r d: ~ ;-:: .t c : ", - -2.; L,: :. .** :*- rc-; h. ?. . -\ -- ~ud~~o~"~ss~da&.$<a~~~~ .*a * :, .. - . <. .* A -, $. - - . *. :.

' "' ?= - . I." E+-J"ril\ 0 z., $ .-, S e~:~B~.~-.l@~c'l~~ elofficer, , mmittei?nnn - -,.,,. .v.-8*. , .,,o- or i btl~gr iT-e.:t- pemn , .- .. appointed; 'i- - . 

signed,;or' serving in, any ~n~aEit$.i6~ I :: -. the ., Cbuncil l)llln-. ., . il~nll **, it %lie end M : 

his service in &ce turn over all corresponde~ii&, bhdoks, &c&ds, 5na 

documents to the Secretary? , 

: ; t* - * 

+ -- a l' ! - . - ..-, ' 

Set, 9. The regular meetings 'of the Coundil ~11311 'bk held on the ' 

first %ad third Wednesday :of escll ~nontll u~lless otherwise . <. 

desigilzt.ted *- 

. - - -4 bu the Council. w 

Sec. 10. Special Council meetings may be held zt ssncl~ time and t 7. p!acs 3s: - 

(a j Tl;ie C!ount,iI may designnte 

(b) The Governor may by cnll designate - 

(c) Written applicztion of five or more l-nernhers of the Council 

may designzit& The 5.scretnry .sfla11 give noiice of such 

meeting to' the Governor, LieuLenant-Governor rzlld all 

%oxncilmen. 'b 

Sec. 11. Each duiy elected or appointed officer shdl 'before sfsuming the duties of his office he given or subscribe to the folloming 

oath of oEce : 

"I, -------------------,, do solemnly swear 'that I will suppo~t - 

and defend the Constitution bf tlle Unibed States against a13 

enemies; that I will iaithfully and impnrtially carry out'the 

duti~s of my ofice to the hest of my ability;-$bat I will promote, 

2nd protect the bsst interest of the Gils Rimr Indian Comn?unity 

in accordance ~ith ItsCunscitution, Byl,zws, s~lci. O~dizances, so 

help me God." 

/ 
CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION 

I'u~.sunnt to an order npprovecl December 4, 1959, by the Assistant 

Sccret:lry of tile Interior, tl~c foregoing nrnenilcd Constitution and 

Uylarrs of the Gila River Indinn Community of Arizona mas submitted for ratificstion to the Indians of the Gila River Indian Reservntion, Arizona, czncl ras on Jnnunry 92, 1960, duly adopted by n vote 

sf '761 for, and 476 against, in an election in which at least thirk-y 

percent of those entitled to vote cast their ballots in accordance with 

'Section 16 of the Indinn Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934 (48 

Stnt. 9841, as nmended by the Act of June 15,1935 (49 Stat. 378). 

JAY E. hfonrl~o, Jr. 

Jay R. &%orago, Jr., (3overnor 

G illz River i?zdian Com7n~~11zity 

FREEITAN I?. TVP.LKLT 

," Freelnn.11 \%I 1 aecret.zry 

Giia ,'ZZ,ue7* Indian romn~,.u?t72 y 

1, RclGEn ERI~ST, Assistant Secretmy of the Interior of ths United 

States of America, by virtue of the authority granted me by the Act 

of June 18, 1034 (45 Stnt. Y84), ns amended, do hereby approve the 

sttachecl alllc~lcled Constitution nildl Bylaws of the Gila River Indinn 

Cctmrnuniq- of Arizona as adopted by the India~ls of the Giln Iiii~er 

Zndinn Con~muniiy on Jsnun;-~. 22,1060. 

iLpp1'07-A '~ecomme~ided : lijfa~-ci~ 17, IDGO 

i *' 

GLE??N L. EIIIMONS 

Coni?7zissio?zcr 

' Bureaz~ of Indian Affairs 

7 - 

4' - F" 

ROGER ERNST 

Assistant Secretary of the Inte7io.r 

(SZ-&L) 

WABZITNOTON, D.C. 

Dnte : illarch 17, IDGO. - -