Manataba Messenger

Page 7 The vacancy of the Vice-Chairman position, for which the term expires December 31, 2022, will be decided at a Special Election set for Saturday, September 18, 2021. The following ballot photos of the official candidates (in official order) from left to right are: Dwight Lomayesva Jr., Richard W. Evans, Teddy Goodman, and Dennis Patch. CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES OF THE COLORADO RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA. We, the members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation, in order to make the government established by the original constitution and bylaws approved August 13, 1937, a more responsive legal tribal organization and to secure all privileges and powers offered to us by the Indian Reorganization Act, establish justice, promote the general welfare, safeguard our interests, encourage educational progress, conserve and develop our lands and resources, and to secure the blessings of freedom and liberty for ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution and bylaws for the Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation. Rights of Members Section 1. Political Power. All political power of the Tribes is inherent in the mem- bers. This constitution and bylaws is the expression of the will of the members and enumeration of rights and privileges herein shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the members. Section 2. Inherent Rights. All members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes have certain inherent rights, namely, the enjoyment of life, liberty, and the acquiring and ownership of posses- sions, and pursuing happiness and safety. These rights cannot be protected unless the members recognize their corresponding obligations and responsibilities. Section 3. Bill of Rights. All rights secured to the citizens of the United States of America by the Federal or State Constitutions shall not be impaired or abridged by this constitution and bylaws. These rights include freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and petition, a guarantee of due process and equal protection under the law, pro- tection from illegal search and seizure, and expeditious trial after legal indictment or charge with opportunities for bail and protection against excessive punishment, and such other rights as may be protected by effective legislation of the Congress of the United States of America. Except as otherwise provided by this consti- tution and bylaws, all members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes shall be accorded equal political rights and equal opportunity to participate in the economic resources and activities of the tribes. Governing Body Section 1. The governing body of the Colorado River Indian Tribes shall be the Colorado River Tribal Council. Section 2. Composition of Council. The Tribal Council shall consist of nine (9) members including a chairman and vice-chairman, all of whom shall be elected by secret ballot as herein elsewhere pro- vided. Section 3. Officers. The Tribal Council shall elect from within its number: a. a secretary; b. a treasurer, and such other officers other than the chairman and vice-chairman, as may be deemed neces- sary. Section 2. Installations. Elected candidates shall be installed and shall assume office on the first working day after January 1st, or in the event of a special election, they shall be installed and shall assume office immediately after certification of the results of that special election. Section 4. Candidates for Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Candidates for the offices of chairman and vice-chair- man of the Tribal Council shall specifically stand for election and be elected to those particular offices, indi- vidually and independently of all other candidates for any other elected office or position. Section 2. Vice-Chairman. a. The Vice-Chairman shall be permitted vote on all issues coming before the tribal council. b. The Vice-Chairman shall act as Chairman in the absence or inabilityof the Chairman to perform his duties as specified in Section 1 of this article. c. The Vice-Chairman shall be ex-officio member of all committees appointed by the tribal council and shall keep the tribal council informed of their activities. Oath of Office I'_________________________________ do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies; that I will carry out faithfully and impartially the duties of my office to the best of my ability; that I will cooperate, promote, and protect the best interests of the Colorado River Indian Tribes in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Colorado River Indian Tribes." 4,560 C.R.I.T Tribal Members as of 08/05/2021