The Siwanoy Nation shall consist of those members who are listed on the tribal rolls of the Siwanoy Nation. The flag and seal of the tribe shall be those approved by the Tribal Council.

ARTICLE TWO
PURPOSES

The Siwanoy Nation has been organized for the following purposes, and all actions undertaken by the Tribal Council shall endeavor to serve the same:

1. To promote the preservation and revitalization of Siwanoy culture.

2. To promote tribal development strategies that will secure the wellbeing of the tribe for seven generations.

3. To promote efforts that will ensure the perpetual survival of the sovereignty and self-determination of the Siwanoy Nation.

4. To promote efforts that will increase public awareness of the Siwanoys and their contribution to modern day society.

ARTICLE THREE
TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP

1. Eligibility and Application for Tribal Enrollment. Any biological descendant of the Siwanoys who can show proof of unbroken lineage from a known Siwanoy ancestor, or from a person listed on the tribal rolls of the Siwanoy Nation, is eligible for enrollment as a member of the Siwanoy Nation. Proof shall be in any form acceptable to the Tribal Council. An application for tribal enrollment shall be made in writing on a form approved by the Tribal Council, and shall include an oath (or affirmation) by the applicant that he or she is a biological descendant from the Siwanoys, that the information provided on the application is true, that the applicant desires enrollment for themselves and on behalf of their minor children listed on the application, and that they consent to the authority and jurisdiction of the Tribal Council. Nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted so as to void any enrollment approved by the Tribal Council prior to August 1, 2022.

2. Enrollment Process. Upon receipt of an application for tribal enrollment and accompanying lineage statement, if the documents appear to be complete, the Tribal Secretary shall present the documents to the Tribal Council for a final vote on the application. A majority vote in favor of granting enrollment shall result in the enrollment of the applicant and any minor children listed on the application in the tribal rolls of the Siwanoy Nation. Upon enrollment, the Tribal Secretary, or his or her designee, shall cause certificates of enrollment to be issued to each person. 

3. Tribal Rolls. The tribal rolls of the Siwanoy Nation shall consist of the register of enrolled members commonly referred to as the “tribal roll,” together with all applications for tribal enrollment and attachments thereto, and all certificates of enrollment, which are in the custody of the Siwanoy Nation.

4. Issuance of Certified Copies. The Tribal Secretary may issue a certified copy from the tribal rolls of the Siwanoy Nation. Any member of the Siwanoy Nation may obtain a certified copy of his or her certificate of enrollment, application for tribal enrollment, and accompanying lineage statement, or that of his or her minor child(ren), for a fee of $10, to be paid into the Treasury of the Siwanoy Nation. This fee shall be waived for members of the Tribal Council. Each certified copy shall bear the Official Seal of the Siwanoy Nation and a certification stamp in the following format: 

THE SIWANOY NATION
CERTIFIED COPY

THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY FROM THE TRIBAL ROLLS OF THE SIWANOY NATION. CERTIFIED UNDER MY HAND AND THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE SIWANOY NATION ON THIS ___ DAY OF _______ 20____.

(SIGNATURE)  Tribal Secretary

ARTICLE FOUR
TRIBAL COUNCIL

1. General Powers. Except as provided by law, all executive, judicial, legislative and corporate powers of the Siwanoy Nation shall be exercised by or under the authority of the Tribal Council of the Siwanoy Nation.

2. Number, Terms, Classification, and Qualification. The Tribal Council of the Siwanoy Nation shall at a minimum consist of the Chief, the Tribal Secretary, and the Tribal Treasurer. The Tribal Council may create additional seats by majority vote. Each councilmember must be at least 18 years of age and a duly enrolled member of the Siwanoy Nation. Each councilmember shall hold their seat on the council until resignation, removal from office, or death.

3. Regular Meetings. The Tribal Council shall hold meetings on a regular basis, no less than once per quarter. Special meetings may be called by the Chief or any two councilmembers. Any meeting shall be noticed at least 24 hours in advance.

4. Voting Rights. Each member of the Tribal Council is entitled to vote and to be heard on all matters; however, any councilmember’s voting privileges may be temporarily suspended by majority vote of the Tribal Council for failure to comply with the prior directives of the council, or for negligence. A majority vote by all councilmembers present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

5. Resignation and Removal from Office. Any councilmember may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Tribal Council or the Chief. The resignation of any councilmember shall take effect when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date. Any councilmember may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the unanimous vote of the remaining councilmembers. 

6. Vacancies, Nomination, and Election. When a seat on the Tribal Council is created or becomes vacant, the Tribal Council shall advertise the vacancy to the tribe. Nominees must be at least 18 years of age and duly enrolled members of the Siwanoy Nation. Nominees shall be interviewed by the Tribal Council prior to final election. Only a person who has previously served on the Tribal Council shall be eligible to be elected to the position of Chief.

7. Committees. The Chief, or the Tribal Council by majority vote, may establish committees, as needed, to meet purposes approved by the council.

ARTICLE FIVE
OFFICERS

The officers of the Siwanoy Nation shall be the Chief, the Tribal Secretary, the Tribal Treasurer, and any other person appointed or elected as a tribal officer by the Tribal Council.

1. Powers and Duties of the Chief. The Chief shall serve as the principal executive officer and operating officer of the Siwanoy Nation and shall be in general and active charge of all affairs of the tribe. He or she shall preside over all meetings of the Tribal Council and shall have final decision-making authority when the council shall be equally divided on any matter deemed to be of great importance. The Chief shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Tribal Council are carried into effect, and shall manage, administer and direct the operation of tribal programs, activities and services. The Chief shall oversee his or her cabinet and may nominate any enrolled member of the Siwanoy Nation to a cabinet position, subject to the final approval of the Tribal Council. In the event of the removal of the Chief from office or of his or her death or resignation, the Tribal Council shall convene within 48 hours for emergency appointment of an acting Chief to ensure continuity of tribal operations.

2. Powers and Duties of the Tribal Secretary. The Tribal Secretary shall be the custodian of the tribal rolls of the Siwanoy Nation, and of all minutes, corporate records and bylaws. He or she shall record and keep the minutes of all meetings of the Tribal Council, as well as prepare any necessary agenda and distribute same to the council. As the ex-officio Tribal Genealogist, the Tribal Secretary shall also be responsible for receiving and compiling enrollment applications and accompanying lineage statements, evaluating them for completeness, and presenting them to the Tribal Council for a final vote. In addition, the Tribal Secretary, or his or her designee, shall be charged with the issuance of certificates of enrollment and tribal identification cards with the consent of the Tribal Council. The Tribal Secretary shall be the custodian of the seal of the Tribal Council of the Siwanoy Nation and shall affix such seal to contracts, instruments and other documents as the Tribal Council may direct. The Tribal Secretary, or his or her designee, shall also be responsible for maintaining and updating the official website of the Siwanoy Nation as needed.

3. Powers and Duties of the Tribal Treasurer. The Tribal Treasurer shall serve as the principal financial officer of the Siwanoy Nation and shall have general and active oversight over all financial affairs of the tribe. The Tribal Treasurer shall present a report to the Tribal Council as to the financial standing of the tribe at each meeting. The Tribal Treasurer shall oversee and present budgets, accounts and financial statements to the Tribal Council, ensure that appropriate financial systems and controls are in place, ensure proper financial record-keeping and ensure compliance with all relevant laws. He or she shall also have general oversight over the tribe’s bank accounts, fundraising activities, financial planning, and budgeting. 

ARTICLE SIX
AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be altered, amended, repealed, or added to by majority vote of the Tribal Council, subject to veto by the Chief.

WE, the undersigned, now constituting the whole of the Tribal Council of the Siwanoy Nation, hereby ratify, adopt, and confirm the foregoing as the Bylaws of the Siwanoy Nation.