CONSTITUTION
OF THE
GREAT LAKES INDIAN FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION

 

Preamble:

WE, THE INDIAN TRIBES OF THE GREAT LAKES INDIAN FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION, RECOGNIZE THAT OUR FISH, WILDLIFE, AND OTHER RENEWABLE RESOURCES ARE IMPORTANT NATURAL RESOURCES AND OF VITAL CONCERN TO THE INDIAN TRIBES OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION AND THE CONSERVATION OF THIS RESOURCE IS DEPENDENT UPON EFFECTIVE AND PROGRESSIVE MANAGEMENT. AND IT IS FURTHER RECOGNIZED THAT THE TRIBES HAVE REGULATORY AUTHORITY AND A RESULTANT DUTY TO PROTECT THE RESOURCE THAT IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO US. WE FURTHER BELIEVE THAT BY UNITY OF ACTION WE CAN BEST ACCOMPLISH THESE THINGS, NOT ONLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR PEOPLE BUT FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE GREAT LAKES.

 

Article I: Name

The name of this agency shall be the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Article II: Purpose

 

  1. The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission was begun in recognition of the traditional pursuits of theNative American people and the deep abiding respect for the circle of life in which our fellow creatures have played an essential life-giving role. As governments who have inherited the responsibilities for protection of our fish, wildlife, and plants we are burdened with the inability to effectively carry out tasks as protectors and managers. This is especially true now that the state and federal courts have recognized our traditional claims. We have never intended to abandon our responsibilities.
  2. The purpose of this agency is to ensure effective self-regulation and intertribal comanagement in support of the sovereignty of its member tribes in the regulation and management of ceded territory natural resources as follow:

        A. To provide a agency to facilitate and coordinate inter-tribal communication in the Great Lakes concerning matters pertaining to

            the exercise of usufructuary rights including fish and wildlife management, treaty rights issues, court cases related to fish and    

            wildlife, tribal and/or inter-tribal regulations.
        B. To assist tribal governments in the protection, preservation, conservation and prudent use and management of tribal fish, wildlife,

             and plant resources in the Great Lakes area.
        C. To direct the administration of federal programs, funds, and efforts in order to aid and assist the federally recognized members     

             of this agency.
        D. To educate Indian and non-Indian professionals involved in fish and wildlife management and others in the general public    

             similarly dedicated to the protection, preservation, enhancement and prudent use of fish, wildlife and other resources.
        E. To provide administrative support for and provide expertise and advise to tribal governments in the Great Lakes relating to the 

            protection, preservation, enhancement and prudent use and management of fish, wildlife and other resources in the Great Lakes.
        F. To improve the general welfare of Indian people in the Great Lakes through educational, outreach, and fish and wildlife related 

            activities.
        G. To carry out the purposes as herein set forth in any state, territory, district, possession, dependency, or other political subdivision of

             the United States of America or in any foreign country at any other location in the world to the extent that such purposes are not  

             forbidden by laws of such other political entity as may be applicable.

 

Article III: Members

  1. Membership shall be open to an Indian tribe in the Great Lakes region who:

        A. Is recognized as a tribe by federal treaty, statute, agreement or regulation; and who;

        B. Is organized and operating under a constitution and by-laws; and who

        C. Ratifies this constitution and by-laws by appropriate tribal resolution.

 

Article IV: Governing Body

  1. The governing body shall be the Commission. The Commission shall consist of the Tribal Chairpersons or a designated representative from each member tribe.
  2. Two committees of the Commission are hereby established, Great Lakes Indian Fisheries Committee, and Voigt Inter-Tribal Task Force Committee, each of which shall be governed by a charter ratified by a constituent tribes of each committee.
    A. Upon selection the tribe shall notify the Commission of their duly authorized representative by letter.
  3. The Commission members shall report in writing to their respective governing body on the business transacted, including recommendations for final approval relating to any contract or agreement to be entered on behalf of member tribes, by the Commission.
  4. A special meeting of the Commission can be called by the Chairman at the request of any Commission member.

Article V: Officers

  1. The officers of the Commission shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary and shall be elected by the members of the Commission

  2. The term of office of each officer shall be for one (1) year and shall commence with the regular meeting, except the first elected officers shall serve until the first regular election.

Article VI: Vacancies and Removal of Officers

  1. If a Commission officer shall die, resign, permanently leave the state or tribe which she/he represents, the Commission shall declare the position vacant and shall select a replacement for the balance of the unexpired term

Article VII: - Duties of Officers

  1. The Chairman shall preside over all meetings of the Commission and shall perform all duties of a Chairman and exercise any authority delegated to him by the Commission and shall have all authority to sign all documents for the Commission. She/he vote in all matters for her/his respective tribe.
  2. The Vice-Chairman shall assist the Chairman when called upon to do so in the absence of the Chairman, she/he shall preside. While presiding, she/he shall have all the rights, privileges, and duties as well as the responsibilities of the Chairman.
  3. The Secretary shall work with administrative staff to ensure that official minutes of all meetings are kept and that meeting notices are mailed in a timely manner.
  4. The Executive Administrator shall be appointed by the Commission.

Article VIII: Meetings

  1. The conduct and procedure of the meetings may be further defined by the appropriate resolution of the Commission.
  2. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Commission membership.

Article IX: Powers of the Commission

  1. The Commission shall have the following powers:

    1. To formulate and adopt a budget for Commission activities.

    2. To coordinate Committee budgets and the work of the committees.

    3. To administer the provision of technical services to the committees and member tribes.

    4. Request technical advice and/or assistance from any source whatever for the purpose of assisting tribal fish and wildlife programs and to consult with any and all individuals, organizations, institutions, and governments (tribal, local, state, federal, and international) on matters pertaining to fish and wildlife

    5. To render any assistance within the authority of the Commission to any tribe requesting such assistance.

    6. As a tribal natural resource agency exercising delegated sovereign authority on behalf of its member tribes to accept funds from federal, state, private foundations or other sources for operations.

    7. To provide public information.

  2. Any and all rights vested in member tribes shall not be abridged by this Constitution.

Article X: Powers of the Committees

  1. Each constituent Committee shall have the following powers:

    1. To formulate and adopt a budget to carry out its activities and to secure funding therefore.

    2. To formulate a broad natural resource management program for those matters of concern to the Committee.

    3. To carry out any other powers provided in the charter.

  2. Any and all rights vested in member tribes shall not be abridged by this charter.

Article XI: Amendments

This Constitution may be amended by unanimous vote of the member tribes upon at least 15 days notice prior to such meeting to consider such proposed amendment submitted to member tribes.

Article XII: Ratification

This Constitution shall be in full force and effect when ratified by all member tribes. Passed this ____ day of ______, 1983, at ________.

Amendments

June 22, 1988 -- GLIFWC Commissioner Meeting -- Bois Forte -- Vote:  9-0-0
Article IV, Section 2:
Section 2. Two Three committees of the Commission are hereby established, Great Lakes Indian Fisheries Committee, and Voigt Inter-Tribal Task Force Committee and 1854 Treaty Committee, each of which shall be governed by a charter ratified by the constituent tribes of each committee.

March 22, 1989 -- GLIFWC Commissioner Meeting -- Keweenaw Bay -- Vote:  12-0-0
Article IV, Section 2:
Section 2.  Three committees of the Commission are hereby established, Great Lakes Indian Fisheries Committee, Voigt Inter-Tribal Task Force Committee and 1854 Treaty Tri-Band Committee, each of which shall be governed by a charter ratified by the constituent tribes of each committee.