The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1955-01-14
Tribe Members Hold
Long Convention Session

| held every day this week at the
conference room at the Black
feet Indian Agency Barracks
building with Mr. Brust, Assis-
tant Area Director of the Bill
ings Area Office and Mr. MelZ-
ner Solicitors Division, Billings
Area Office, in attendance along
with Mr.. Spencer of the Black
feet Indian Agency Many pro-
posals regarding changes in the
method of enrolment, land poll
Cles, council organization, and
council powers and authority
were submitted to the conven-
tlon by the various committees
in charge of these topics. All SEES
slOnS of the convention have
been presided over by Leo NJ.
kennerly Chairman
AT previous sessions of the con-
| ventlOn, the Constitution of the
Tribe was divided into principal
topics and committees selected
and assigned one topic to study
and if they felt changes we're de-
slrable in the best interests of
the Tribe. then they were to sub
init these proposed changes to
the convention for their discus
sion and approval. All proposed
changes, 1t IS understood, will be
I submitted to the Tribal Council
for their action and if approved
| by them, then an election will
be called at which members of
the tribe will have a chance to
either vote for approval or dis
approval of the proposed amend
mentS.
The committee in charge of
enrolment recommended that
the constitution be amended to
provide that a minimum degree
of blood requirement be incor-
porated. AS the committee could
not agree on the degree to be
set, 1t was decided to submit the
proposal to the council and they
would be asked to either set the
degree at IL or 10, Blackfeet
Indian
| 1t was also recommended to
the convention that the council
allow absentee ballots in all cleo
Tons held by the tribe. Under
the terms of the present consti-
tuition, the eligible voter must
present himself at the polls in
order to exercise his franchise.
II was also recommended that
the constitution be amended to
provide for a Tribal council COM
posed of only 9 members instead
of the present 10 These mem
hers would be elected 2 from the
| Old Agency District. 2 from the
Seville District, from the Heart
Butte District and 3 from the
Browning District Ii was also
recommended that the terms of
the council members be Stag
gercd' with some serving for two
year terms and some serving for
four year terms
Under discussion by the COM
mIttcc at present are proposals
under which the council would
hire 4 business manager, either
from within or without the mem
DcrShlp Of the Tribe: a proposal
which would place the lending
activities of the Tribe outside
the Tribal Council; proposal
which would eliminate standard
assignments of land to members
Of the Tribe qualifying for these
assignments under the terms of
the pICsnct constitutions and sew
cral changes Ill the manner and
method of purchasing land from
members of the Tribe
Ccdor AronOw Of Shelby. attor-
uey for the Tribe, also attended
several SESSIONS Of the conven-
ton al the request Of the Tribal
Council and the various com
mlttcCs Among other things dis
cusscd with MI ArOnOw. was the
ordinance recently adopted by
the Tribal Council which pro-
vldcs for the enrolment of mem
bcrs Of the Tribe and also limits
the enrolment Of new members
to those of 1-8 Blackfect Indian
blood OF more
Spokesman for the convention
say that a great deal is being &C
complished They point out that
besides gaining an expression OF
opinion from members of the
= Tribe as to their desire for
j. changes in the present conStitu
ton, these meetings are also
D. serving as a means of acquaint
- ing those in attendance with
their Tribal government and
= should result in more harmo
f NOUS relations between various
y Federal agencies, the Triba
= Council, and the members of the
e Tribe in general
These sessions will continue
until all proposed changes are
d discussed and acted upon ane
n then the work of the committe,
e will be turned over to the Triba