We, the Aleuts, having a common bond of residence on St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Territory of Alaska, in order to promote our general welfare of do establish this Constitution and By-laws, by authority of the Act of Congress of June 18, 1934, as amended by the Acts of June 15, 1935 and May 1, 1936.

    This organization shall be called the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island.

    SECTION 1. 0riginal Members.-All persons of Aleut descent residing on St. Paul Island at the time of adoption of this Constitution and By-laws shall be members of the Community.

    SEC. 2. Loss of Membership.-Any member who moves away from the Community, intending not to return, shall lose his membership, and any membership may be taken away for good reason by the Community.

    SEC. 3. Returning Absentees.-All persons of Aleut descent born on St. Paul Island who have taken up residence elsewhere but who otherwise are in good standing shall be recognized as members when- ever the return to and take up residence in good faith upon the island. y

    SEC. 4. Children of Members.-All children of any members shall be members of the Community as long as such members remain in good standing and reside upon the Island.

    SEC. 5. Membership Rules.-In all cases other than those enumerated above, the Community may make its own rules governing membership and such rules shall include a statement of causes for taking away membership in the Community.
 
 

    SECTION 1. Choice of Governing Body.-At a general meeting following the acceptance of this Constitution, the members of the Community shall decide what kind of governing body they wish to set up to speak and act for the Community and to exercise the powers which may be delegated to such governing body. No person not a member of the Community shall be permitted to participate in such governing body or to speak before it except by invitation. If at the time of acceptance of this Constitution, there is a governing body already set up in the Community, such body shall continue to exercise the functions bestowed upon it until it is replaced by a new governing body selected pursuant to this Article.
 

    SEC. 2. Choice of Officers.-The Community shall at the same time decide how members and officers of the governing body shall be chosen and how long they shall serve. The Community shall then choose the members to serve on the governing body and such officers as may be thought necessary.
 

    SEC 3. Meetings of Membership and Governing Body.-The Community shall decide when and how often there, should be meetings of the whole membership of the Community and when and how often there should be meetings of the governing body; also it shall decide what notice shall be given for the calling of meetings and how many members must be present at such meetings in order to do business; and it may make any other rules necessary for the holding meetings. A. general meeting of the whole membership shall be held at least once a year.

    SEC. 4. Record and Report of Community Decision.-A record shall be made and kept of all the rules made under Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this Article, which record shall be Failed the-Record of Organization of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island. Copies of this record shall be :furnished to the Secretary of the Interior or his designated representative. There shall be put in the record the names of all persons chosen to be officers of the Community.

    SECTION 1. Enumerated Powers.-Subject to the provisions of Section 3 of this Article, the Community shall have the following powers:

    (a) To deal. with the Federal and Territorial Governments on behalf of the Aleuts of St. Paul Island and to advise and consult with the representatives of the Department of the Interior with respect to such activities of the Department as may affect the members of the Community.

    (b) To employ legal counsel for the protection of the Aleuts of St. Paul Island, the choice of counsel and fixing of fees to be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.

    (c) To approve or veto any disposition lease or encumbrance of Community lands or other Community assets which may be authorized or executed by the Secretary of the Interior or any other official or agency of the Government.
 
    (d) To undertake and manage all economic affairs and enterprises of the Community in accordance with the terms of the Community charter.

    (e) In accordance with the principles of uniformity, to levy dues, fees, assessments, and fines, on members for Community purposes, or to accept the performance of Community labor instead of such levies; to levy charges upon nonmembers who make use of any facilities of the Community, and to provide for the collection therefor.

    (f) To appropriate any available funds for salaries of Community officials or for public purposes of the Community.

    (g) To safeguard and promote the peace, safety, morals, and general welfare of the Community by regulating the conduct of trade within the membership thereof and the use and disposition of property of the Community.

    (h) To cultivate and encourage the Aleut arts, crafts, songs, and language.

    (i) To establish, with other Aleuts, a joint committee for the defense of the rights of the Pribilof Islanders and the prosecution of their claims.

    (j) To adopt and administer proper regulations to carry into effect all other provisions of this Constitution.

    SEC. 3. Use of Powers.-Subject to the provisions of the, Act of February 6, 1944 (58 Stat. 100, 16 U. S. C. 63la-631r), the governing body shall abide by all instructions given it by the Community and shall report upon its actions to the membership of the Community at general meetings. In the exercise of its powers, the Community shall abide by all Federal laws and such laws of Alaska as may be applicable.

    SECTION 1. Right to Vote.-all members of the Community 18 years of age or over shall have the right to vote in Community meetings and elections, except that elections on the adoption or amendment of the Community Constitution and Charter are limited by law to members 21 years of age or over.

    SEC. 2. Economic Rights.-All members of the Community shall be accorded equal opportunities to participate in the economic resources and activities of the Community.

    SEC. 3. Individual Rights and Liberties.-Neither the governing body nor the Community shall abridge the rights of members guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States, and it shall be a duty of the Community to see that the full constitutional rights of the members are maintained and preserved.

    Any lands and waters which may be acquired by the Community shall be held as Community lands and no part thereof shall be mortgaged or sold, except with the approval of the Community given at a general meeting, but such lands may be leased, from time to time, in accordance with law.

    Changes in this Constitution and By-laws may be made if the changes are approved by the Secretary of the Interior and by a majority vote of the qualified members of the Community voting at an election called by the Secretary of the Interior or pursuant to his direction at which at least 30 percent of the qualified voting membership take part.

    SECTION 1. Community Records.-The Community or its governing body shall choose one or more members who shall have the duty of keeping records of all actions of the Community and its governing body and of furnishing copies of such records to the Secretary of the Interior or his representative.

    SEC. 2. Community Funds.-The Community or its governing body shall choose one or more members who shall have the duty of caring for Community funds and keeping records of all funds taken in or paid out and of furnishing copies to the Secretary of the Interior or his representative.

    SEC. 3. Officers and Agendas.-The Community or its governing body may choose as many officers or agents as it may need to carry out its powers and duties, and it shall state the length of service or duties of each officer or agent when he is chosen.

    This Constitution and By-laws shall be in effect when agreed to by a majority vote of the Community members qualified for voting in an election called for the purpose by the Secretary of the Interior: Provided that at least 30 percent of the qualified voting membership take part. The persons entitled to vote at such election are all the Aleut inhabitants of the Island of St. Paul who are 21 years of age or over and who are not disqualified for cause pursuant to the Constitution and By-laws.

    This Constitution and By-laws are hereby approved and submitted for acceptance or rejection by the Aleut Community of St. Paul, a group of natives having a common bond of living together on the Island of St. Paul, in an election called and held under the instructions of the Secretary of the Interior.

    Such rules and regulations heretofore promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior or any agency of the Department of the Interior as are incompatible with the provisions of this Constitution and By-laws are hereby superseded.

    All officers and employees of the Interior Department are ordered to abide by the provisions of the said Constitution and By-laws.

                                                                                                                [SEAL] OSCAR L. CHAPMAN,
                                                                                                                       Secretary of the Interior.

Washington, D. C., May 3,1950.

    Pursuant to an order, approved May 3, 1950, by the Secretary of the Interior, the attached Constitution and By-laws was submitted for ratification to the group of Aleuts having a common bond of residence on St. Paul Island, Territory of Alaska, and was on June 12,1950, duly ratified by 9, vote of 55 for, and 6 against, in an election in which over 30 percent of those entitled to vote cast their ballots, in accordance with Section 16 of the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18) 1934 (48 Stat. 984), as amended by the Acts of June 15, 1935 (49 Stat. 378), and May 1, 1936 (49 Stat. 1250).

                                                                                                                                ALEXANDER MELERIDER,
                                                                                                                        Chairman, Election Board.
                                                                                                                                SMILE V. GROMOFF,
                                                                                                                          Secretary, Election Board.
CHARLES H. ANDERSON,
            Government Representative.