Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma

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RESOLUTION #25-36

JULY 15, 2025

RESOLUTION

Whereas, The Pawnee Business Council is the supreme governing body of the Pawnee

Nation, and is authorized to conduct business on behalf of the Pawnee

Nation in accordance with Article IV, Sections 1 and 2 of the Pawnee

Nation Constitution and By-Laws; and

Whereas, the Pawnee Business Council met in a special meeting on July 15, 2025, at

’ the Pawnee Nation Multi-Purpose Building, duly authorized, with a quorum

present; and

Whereas, on March 25, 2025, the Pawnee Business Council called for the Secretarial

Election through the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs;

and

Whereas, the Pawnee Business Council is hereby appointing the Pawnee Nation

Election Commission to work with the Department of Interior to conduct

the Secretarial Election; and :

Whereas, the Pawnee Business Council is submitting the following format of the

election ballot for yes or no votes of the Pawnee Nation citizens eighteen

(18) years of age or older:

Amendment A: Changing the name of the Tribe from “Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma” to

“Pawnee Nation” throughout the Constitution.

Amendment B: Changing the word “membership” to “citizenship” throughout the

Constitution.

Amendment C: Changing the name of the Chiefs Council from “Nasharo” to “Résaru”

throughout the Constitution.

Amendment D: Remove the Secretary of the Interior from ali Articles throughout the

Constitution.

Amendment E: be amended as follows: PREAMBLE

We, the citizens of the four confederated bands, Cawi’, Kitkehaki, Pitahawirata and Ckiri

of the Pawnee Nation, with faith in Ati’as Tirawahat, abounding pride in our culture, and

determination to promote our cultural, social, economic, and political advancement, and in

exercise of our inherent sovereign authority, do solemnly ordain and adopt this Constitution

of the Pawnee Nation.

Amendment F: be amended as follows: ARTICLE I- NAME

The name of this Sovereign Nation shall be the “Pawnee Nation.”

Amendment G: be amended as follows: ARTICLE Il - PURPOSE

Section 1. To secure for the Pawnee Nation and its citizens all rights, powers, privileges,

and benefits of a sovereign nation.

Section 2. To establish its Jurisdiction and Powers.

(A) The governmental powers of the Pawnee Business Council, acting for the

sovereign Pawnee Nation shall extend to all persons, real and personal

property, including but not limited to lands and other natural and cultural

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 1 of 9

resources, and all waters and air space, within Indian Country and other

lands over which the Pawnee Nation has jurisdiction.

(B) The Pawnee Nation is empowered to maintain and operate under the laws

of the U.S. and the Pawnee Nation, and its judicial systems to protect the

peace, safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of the Pawnee Nation,

provided the concepts of separation of powers is maintained.

subject to its jurisdiction. The Pawnee Business Council and all

governmental bodies shall exercise its power in a manner consistent with

the provisions of this Constitution.

() Nothing in this Article shall be construed to limit or impair the ability of the

Pawnee Nation to exercise jurisdiction based upon its inherent sovereign

authority.

Amendment H: be amended as follows: ARTICLE II - CITIZENSHIP OF THE PAWNEE

NATION

Section 1. All persons shall be eligible for citizenship in the Pawnee Nation provided they

are:

(A) Enrolled and whose name appears on the official annuity (base) roll of the

Pawnee Nation as of February 19, 1937; and

(B) Lineally descended from any enrolled citizen listed on the official annuity

(base) roll of the Pawnee Nation as of February 19, 1937.

Section 2. The Pawnee Business Council shall have the power to prescribe rules and

regulations covering future citizenship of the Pawnee Nation, including the

approval and loss of citizenship, provided: Such rules and regulations shall

be subject to the review of the Résaru Council.

Section 3. No person shall be eligible for Pawnee Nation citizenship, if enrolled as a citizen

or member of another Indian Tribe.

Amendment I: be amended as follows: ARTICLE IV - PAWNEE BUSINESS COUNCIL

Section 1. The supreme governing body of the Pawnee Nation shall be the Pawnee Business

Council, which shall consist of eight (8) members.

Section 2. Subject to the limitations imposed by this Constitution and applicable Federal

law, the Pawnee Business Council shall exercise all the inherent, statutory,

and treaty powers of the Pawnee Nation by the enactment of legislation, the

transaction of business, and by otherwise speaking or acting on behalf of

the Pawnee Nation on all matters which the Pawnee Nation is empowered

to act, including the authority to hire legal counsel to represent the Pawnee

Nation.

Section 3. All acts regarding Citizenship or Claims or Treaty Rights of the Pawnee

Business Council shall be subject to review by the Réséru Council in

accordance with this Constitution.

Section 4. The present Pawnee Business Council members shall serve until the next regular

election or until their successors are elected and installed provided:

(A) Citizens of the Pawnee Nation, twenty-five (25) years of age or older, shall

be eligible for election to the Pawnee Business Council. Citizens of the

Pawnee Nation convicted of or having plead guilty to a felony with the

exception of a sex crime, violent crime, or misappropriation of funds,

regardless of jurisdiction or dishonorably discharged from the Armed

Forces of the United States of America are ineligible for no more than seven

(7) years for candidacy for elected office as prescribed by law.

(B) Whereas, at the first election after the adoption of this Constitution (1999),

the President, Treasurer, and the First and Second Council Members were

elected to a four-year term and the Vice-President, Secretary, and Third and

Fourth Council members were elected to a two-year term in order to stagger

the terms of office.

Henceforth, all members of the Pawnee Business Council shall be elected

to a four-year term of office and shall serve until their successors shall be

duly installed in office. In cases when a vacancy is being filled to complete

an unexpired term due to death, resignation, forfeiture, or recall of a Pawnee

Business Council member, a successor will be appointed pursuant to Article

VI of this Constitution.

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 2 of 9

(Cc) A Résaru Council member shall resign his/her position if elected or

appointed to the Pawnee Business Council.

() A Pawnee Nation employee shall resign his/her position if elected or

appointed to the Pawnee Business Council.

(E) A Pawnee Business Council member shall not be eligible for employment

by the Pawnee Nation during his/her term of office.

() Elected members of the Pawnee Business Council shall be inaugurated and

sworn into office fourteen (14) calendar days after Election Day.

(G) Pawnee Business Council records and all related documentation for each

outgoing Pawnee Business Council member shall be made available to the

newly elected Pawnee Business Council members. Failure to comply shall

result in ineligibility to file for candidacy for the Pawnee Business Council

for ten (10) years or until records and documents are returned.

(H) Candidates declare the position they are seeking.

ed) If positions are vacant due to a lack of candidates, they are considered

vacant and filled according to Article VI.

Section 5. All acts of the Pawnee Business Council shall be determined by a majority vote

of the membership present, provided five (5) members of the Council shall

constitute a quorum to transact business. In the event of a tie, the President

or President pro tem shall cast the deciding vote. ‘

Section 6. Regular quarterly meetings of the Pawnee Business Council shall be held on the

first Saturday in February, June, August, and November of each year in a

place designated by the Pawnee Business Council, provided:

(A) Special meetings may be called by the President.

(B) Special meetings shall be called by the President within two (2) weeks after

receiving a written request, by regular mail or by certified and return receipt

mail, from a majority of the occupied Pawnee Business Council positions,

provided:

Q) If the President fails to call and conduct a special meeting as requested

within two (2) weeks, a majority of the occupied members of the Pawnee

Business Council shall be authorized to call and conduct a special meeting

by affixing their signatures to a document listing in detail the need for the

meeting and citing this Section of the Constitution as their authority to meet.

(2) A minimum of two (2) days notice of all meetings, regular or special, shall

be posted in public view. Provided that in an emergency, posting in public

view for two (2) days shall be deemed sufficient notice. Notice shall include

the agenda.

meeting with both in person or virtual attendance as may be determined by

the Pawnee Business Council.

Section 7. All members of the Pawnee Business Council shall attend tribal constitution

orientation classes as prescribed by the Pawnee Business Council.

Section 8. The Pawnee Business Council shall provide an election commission to conduct

all elections, provided that regular elections are held on the first Saturday in

May of each odd-numbered year.

Amendment J: be amended as follows: ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President of the Pawnee Business Council shall:

(A) Preside at all general meetings, meetings of the Pawnee Business Council,

joint meetings of the Pawnee Business Council and the Résaru Council;

(B) Vote only in the case of a tie of all general meetings, meetings or acts of the

Pawnee Business Council, and joint meetings of the Pawnee Business

Council and the Résaru Council;

(D) Ensure that all decisions of the Pawnee Business Council are faithfully

executed, administered, and enforced;

(E) Administer oaths and affirmations when required or permitted;

() Be bonded;

(G) Be authorized to countersign checks disbursed by the Treasurer according

to the requirements of Article V, Section 4 of this Constitution;

(A) Call Special meetings under the authority granted by Article IV, Section 6

of this Constitution; and

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 3 of 9

@ Unless authorized by this Constitution, the President shall not take any

action unless directed by the Pawnee Business Council.

Section 2. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of

that office. In the case of vacancy, the Vice-President shall succeed at once

to the office of the President. The Vice-President shall be bonded.

Section 3. The Secretary shall be responsible for the following duties:

(A) Record the proceedings of all meetings of the Pawnee Business Council and

Réséru Council, and all special meetings as assigned by the Pawnee

Business Council;

(B) Prepare the agenda for meetings of the Pawnee Business Council;

and files of the Pawnee Business Council, except such records as shall be

explicitly made exempt by law, shall be public information to any member

of the Pawnee Nation; .

(D) Maintain the Pawnee Nation official membership roll;

(E) Attest to enactments of the Pawnee Business Council;

(F) In absence of the President and Vice-President, call to order reguiar and

special meetings of the Pawnee Business Council until a Chairman pro tem

is selected;

(G) Perform the duties of the Treasurer, in the absence of the Treasurer; and

(A) The Secretary shall be bonded.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the following duties:

(A) Receive funds from all sources for which the Pawnee Business Council is

held accountable and maintain financial records which shall reflect actual

receipts and disbursements of all funds, and which shall reflect the financial

position of the Pawnee Nation;

(B) Deposit funds from any and all sources for which the Pawnee Business

Council is held accountable in an insured bank or other approved financial

institution;

disbursed by the Treasurer and approved according to the hierarchy listed

under Article V;

(D) An annual independent audit of all funds for which the Pawnee Business

Council is held accountable;

(E) Present financial status reports and budget reports as determined by the

Pawnee Business Council;

(F) Perform the duties of the Secretary, in the absence of the Secretary;

(G) The Treasurer shall be bonded; and

(H) If the Treasurer fails to fulfill his or her Constitutional or statutory duties of

the office of the Treasurer, funds may be jointly disbursed by two (2)

officers of the Pawnee Business Council.

Amendment K: be amended as follows: ARTICLE VI - VACANCIES

Section 1. In the event of a Presidential vacancy, the Vice-President shall temporarily

vacate his/her office and fulfill the duties of the office of President until

another President is elected by a majority of Pawnee Nation voters in a

specially called election. The Business Council shall elect from the current

council citizenship a Temporary Vice President to serve until the next

President is elected by a majority of Pawnee Nation voters in a specially

called election, at which time the Temporary Vice President shall return to

his/her previous position.

Section 2. If the offices of the President and Vice President are vacant, the Treasurer shall

temporarily vacate his/her office and fulfill the duties of the President, and

the Secretary shall temporarily vacate his/her office and fulfill the duties of

the Vice President. The Business Council shall elect from the current

council citizenship a Temporary Treasurer and a Temporary Secretary until

the next President and Vice President are elected by a majority of Pawnee

Nation voters in a specially called election, at which time the Temporary

Treasurer and Temporary Secretary shall return to his/her previous position.

Section 3. If the offices of the President, Vice President, and Treasurer are vacant, the

Secretary shall temporarily vacate his/her office and fulfill the duties of the

President. The Business Council shall elect from the current council

citizenship a Temporary Vice President, Temporary Treasurer, and

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 4 of 9

Temporary Secretary until the next President, Vice President, and Treasurer

are elected by a majority of Pawnee Nation voters in a specially called

election, at which time the Temporary Vice President, Temporary Treasurer

and Temporary Secretary shall return to his/her previous position.

Section 4. Notwithstanding Article IV, Section 5, if four (4) or more positions are vacant,

a quorum shall consist of the remaining Council members. If all officer

positions are vacant, any remaining council member may call a special

Business Council meeting, at which time that Council member shall chair,

and the remaining council shall elect officers.

Section 5. If a vacancy occurs in a First, Second, Third, or Fourth Business Council

member position before the last six (6) months of a term, it shall be filled

by a majority of Pawnee Nation voters in a specially called election.

Section 6. If a vacancy occurs in a First, Second, Third, or Fourth Business Council

member position in the latter six (6) months of that term, that position shall

remain vacant until the next general election.

‘Section 7. If a vacancy occurs in any Business Council position in the six (6) months prior

to a general election, the specially called election shall be held with the

general election.

Section 8. Any successful candidate who is elected in a special election shall serve only

the remaining term of that vacant position.

Section 9. Unless Sections 6 and 7 apply, the Election Board shall set and conduct a special

election within sixty (60) days, but not before thirty (30) days, after a

position is vacant.

Section 10. A position is vacant when:

(A) Subject to an effective date, a resignation is received in writing by the Office

of the President; ;

(B) Vacant pursuant to Article VII, Section 1;

() Recall;

(E) Removal; or

(F) A suspension is imposed under Article VII, Section 3, in which case a

specially called election is not required if the Business Council finds that

suspension is likely to be resolved within six (6) months. if the Business

Council finds that the suspension is likely to be longer than six (6) months,

a special election may be called. If the suspension is removed, the person

elected in the special election shall step down and the suspended Business

Council Member shall retake his/her position.

Amendment L: be amended as follows: ARTICLE VII - FORFEITURE, RECALL,

SUSPENSION, REMOVAL

Section 1. Forfeiture

(A) If a member of the Pawnee Business Council fails or refuses to attend two

(2) regularly called quarterly or special meetings per year from the date of

his/her oath of office, unless. excused by majority vote of the Pawnee

Business Council for illness or other causes for which the member cannot

be held responsible, his/her seat shall be declared forfeited by a resolution

of the Pawnee Business Council and become vacant.

(B) Any vacancy shall be filled consistent with Vacancy provisions of this

Constitution.

Section 2. Recall

(A) -_A petition for recall of any member of the Pawnee Business Council shall

be:

(1) Filed with the Pawnee Nation Election Commission with a statement

alleging specific facts and dates of actions or inactions by the Pawnee

Business Council Member subject to recall, including the Article of the

Pawnee Nation Constitution that was violated;

(2) Verified by the Enrollment Department that thirty-five percent (35%) of the

number of voters who voted in the last regular election signed the petition;

and

(3) Signed and include the following information for all individual signatures:

full name, date of birth, and signature.

(B) Individual petitions shall be filed for each Pawnee Business Council

Member who is subject to recall.

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 5 of 9

(C)

(D)

©)

(G)

()

The petitioner shall be required to pay a filing fee of fifty percent (50%) of

the total cost of the last regular election payable to the Election Commission

for each individual Pawnee Business Council Member being recalled.

Once requirements of Section 2 (A)(1-3) and (C) have been completed, the

Election Commission shall call and hold a recall election within sixty (60)

business days, but not before thirty (30) business days.

Notice of the recall shall be sent to all eligible voters prior to the recall

election.

The recall shall be effective when fifty percent (50%) + one (1) of the

number voting, votes in favor of the recall.

Once a member has faced a recall attempt, no further recall action shall be

brought against that member until at least twelve (12) consecutive months

have passed, No member of the Pawnee Business Council shall be subject

to arecall action within the first twelve (12) months of that member’s term.

A recall proceeding may not be initiated against a Council Member whose

term expires within six (6) months.

A maximum of three (3) Council Members may be recalled at a time.

Section 3. Suspension

(A)

(B)

©)

)

©)

®)

(G)

(2)

(3)

A Pawnee Business Council Member shall be suspended from the Business

Council without compensation if:

Charges are pending for a felony offense;

An offense would be cause for removal as defined in Section 4 (C)(1-6);

and

The jurisdiction where the charges are pending guarantees equal rights and

due process as is guaranteed under the Pawnee Nation Constitution.

The suspension shall be effective from the date of the filing of the charges

until dismissed.

It is the duty of the defendant Business Council Member to immediately

notify the Business Council and the Attorney General of any pending felony

charges. .

A suspended Business Council Member is excused from attending meetings

and other official duties during the suspension.

No vote cast or other official action taken after suspension shall be valid

and. will constitute official misconduct.

The suspended Business Council Member may bring a declaratory

judgment action in Pawnee Nation Tribal Court to challenge the application

of this Section.

If the Court dismisses the pending felony charges, the suspension shall

automatically be removed, and all withheld compensation shall be paid

without interest.

Section 4. Removal of Pawnee Business Council Members

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

()

GB)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(a)

{a)

A Pawnee Business Council member may be removed for cause by a

petition for removal filed in Pawnee Nation District Court with the right of

appeal to the Pawnee Nation Supreme Court.

A petition for removal may be filed on behalf of the Pawnee Nation by

resolution of the Pawnee Business Council.

Removal for cause includes but is not limited to:

A felony conviction by any Tribal, Federal, or State Court while serving on

the Pawnee Business Council;

Conviction means a final conviction or a plea of no contest or guilty,

regardless of being dismissed, suspended, pardoned, or expunged.

Converting Pawnee Nation property or monies for personal use, or financial

gain or profit;

Willful neglect or refusal to fulfill Constitution or statutory duties;

Official misconduct in office or by abusing the lawful authority of an

élected official;

Official misconduct in office shall include but is not limited to harassment

or unfair treatment of a Pawnee Nation citizen or employee by a Council ©

Member due to religion, sex, age, or disability;

Physical or mental incapacity; or

Cessation of citizenship in the Pawnee Nation.

The grounds for removal shall be set forth with specificity in the petition

for removal and the Pawnee Business Council Member shall be suspended

from office until the Court rules on the petition.

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 6 of 9

(1)

Court Review

The Pawnee Nation District Court shail review the removal petition in a

new trial.

(a) An initial hearing must be held within thirty (30) days of receipt of the

petition with a decision reached by the Court within ninety (90) days.

(b) The petitioner must prove the allegations contained in the petition by clear

and convincing evidence.

Before the Court rules on a petition for removal, the Court shall provide due

process to each party, including:

(a) A copy of the petition;

(b) The right to respond to the petition; and

(4)

If the Court finds grounds for removal as stated in the petition do exist, the

Pawnee Nation shall be awarded reasonable costs and expenses, including

attorney fees, not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), and any other

relief that the Court deems fair and reasonable.

If the Court finds grounds for removal as stated in the petition do not exist,

the defending Council member shall be reinstated to the Pawnee Business

Council and awarded reasonable costs and expenses, including attorney

fees, not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), and any other relief

that the Court deems fair and reasonable.

(a) The costs and expenses, including attorney fees, shall be paid from Pawnee

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

Nation funds.

All parties may be represented by an attorney of his/her choosing, provided

at his/her own expense for the purposes of this Section.

Either party may seek an appeal of the decision of the District Court by

filing an appeal with the Pawnee Nation Supreme Court.

No Pawnee Business Council member shall be subject to removal until

more than twelve (12) months have passed since the previous petition for

removal was filed.

A Pawnee Business Council member removed from office shall not be

prohibited from running or holding office again at any time in the future,

provided they meet eligibility requirements in Article IV.

Amendment M: be amended as follows: ARTICLE VIII - RESARU COUNCIL

Section 1. The Résaru Council shall consist of eight (8) members with a quorum of five (5)

(A)

(B)

Section 2.

to transact business. Each band shall have two (2) representatives on the Résaru

Council selected by the members of the tribal bands, Cawi’, Kitkehaki,

Pitahawirata and Ckiri. The Résaru Council shall have the right to review all

acts of the Pawnee Business Council regarding the Pawnee Nation citizenship

and Pawnee Nation claims or rights growing out of Treaties between the

Pawnee Nation and the United States, provided:

Such acts of the Pawnee Business Council shall be valid unless formally

disapproved by the Résaru Council within thirty (30) days after the acts are

referred to the Rés4ru Council; and

Where such acts are disapproved by the Résaru Council, the Pawnee

Business Council may submit them to a referendum vote by the Pawnee

Nation citizens and the acts shall become valid and effective if approved by

a majority vote of the adult citizens voting in person or by absentee ballot;

provided that, at least fifty (50) of those qualified to vote shall cast ballots

in such election.

The Bands of the Pawnee Nation shall elect their respective representatives

under rules and regulations prescribed by the Chiefs of each Band. The

representatives selected shall serve until the next regular selection of members

of the Résaru Council.

Section 3. Vacancies in the membership of the Résaru Council shall be filled under rules

Section 4.

Section 5.

and regulations prescribed by the Résru Council.

The Résaru Council shall have the power to establish its own offices and to

designate its officers, set its own meeting days, and adopt its own rules of

procedure; provided a quorum is present to transact business. Records of the

proceedings of this body shall be kept.

All members of the Rés4ru Council shall attend tribal constitution classes as

prescribed by the Pawnee Business Council.

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 7 of 9

Amendment N: be amended as follows: ARTICLE IX - COURTS

Section 1. Establishment of Authority

Under its inherent sovereign authority, the judicial power of the Pawnee Nation shall be

vested in the Pawnee Nation Courts established by this Article and consist of five (5)

Judicial Officers and at least one (1) trial court, known as the Pawnee Nation District Court,

and additional courts as may be established by Pawnee Nation law.

Section 2. Jurisdiction

The Courts of the Pawnee Nation shall be courts of general jurisdiction and have

jurisdiction in all cases or controversies arising under Pawnee Nation Treaties, this

Constitution, or as provided by Pawnee Nation law or in equity. The Pawnee Nation

Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction in cases and controversies as provided by

law or in equity appellate jurisdiction in all other cases.

Section 3. Selection of Judicial Officers

The Judges of the District Courts and the Justices of the Pawnee Nation Supreme Court

shall be selected and appointed by a majority vote of the Business Council. Judges and

Justices may, by Supreme Court Rule, assume the duties of a member of the other court to

hear a specific case in which the regular Judge or Justice is disqualified or is otherwise

unable to perform his/her duty. Provided, no Judge or Justice shall preside over a matter in

the Pawnee Nation Supreme Court if he/she presided over the same matter in the Pawnee

Nation District Court.

Section 4. Term of Office

The Judges and Justices of the Pawnee Nation shall serve terms according to Pawnee

Nation law beginning on the date of his/her appointment and continue if reconfirmed or

until his/her successor has been duly appointed and confirmed.

Section 5. Removal

Judges and Justices of the Pawnee Nation may be removed from office only by a majority

vote of the other active Judges and Justices sitting together upon a showing of habitual

neglect of the duties of office, oppression in office for personal gain or advantage, or for

cause as defined in Article VII, Section 4 (C). Inno case may a judicial officer be removed

from office because of his/her decision in any case before the Court.

Section 6. Judicial Review

The Pawnee Nation Courts are specifically authorized to review, in any case properly

before them, the actions of the Pawnee Business Council, or any other officers, agents, or

employees of the government of the Pawnee Nation to determine whether those actions are

prohibited by Federal law, this Constitution or the laws of the Pawnee Nation. The Courts

may enter an injunction or other equitable relief or declare the action unconstitutional and

void as justice may require.

Section 7. Separation of Powers

The Pawnee Nation Courts shall be a separate branch of government. The Pawnee Business

Council shall have the authority to enact such laws as may be necessary for the full and

proper functioning of the Courts of the Pawnee Nation which are not inconsistent with this

Article. All existing laws regarding the Courts shall remain in effect and may be amended

to the extent that they do not conflict with this Constitution.

Section 8. Court Funding

The Pawnee Nation Courts shall be funded in the annual budget in an amount equal to or

exceeding funding from the previous fiscal year. If overall funding shortfalls require budget

cuts, the Court budget may be reduced but proportionately not more than any other brand

of government.

Amendment O: be amended as follows: ARTICLE X - BILL OF RIGHTS

Section 1. All citizens of the Pawnee Nation shall enjoy, without hindrance, freedom of

worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly, association, and the right to a

clean and sustainable environment.

Section 2. This Constitution shall not in any way alter, abridge, or otherwise jeopardize the

rights and privileges of the Pawnee Nation or its citizens as citizens of the

United States or of any State. The Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA) of 1968 and

the rights guaranteed under this Constitution are applicable to all tribal members

and citizens and other persons subject to Pawnee Nation jurisdiction.

Section 3. The individual property rights of any citizen of the Pawnee Nation shall not be

altered, abridged, or otherwise affected by the provisions of this Constitution

without the consent of such individual citizen.

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 8 of 9

Section 4. The enumeration in the Constitution of the Pawnee Nation of certain rights shall

not be construed to deny or disparage other rights retained by Pawnee Nation

citizens.

Section 5. No citizen of the Pawnee Nation, eighteen (18) years of age or older, shall be

denied the right to vote by secret ballot, either in person or by absentee ballot,

provided that no write-in votes shall be allowed.

Section 6. Pawnee Nation Citizens shall have the inherent right to preserve and foster their

historic, linguistic, and cultural lifeways. The Pawnee Nation shall protect and

promote the language, culture, and traditional ways of all Pawnee people.

Amendment P: be amended as follows: ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a majority vote of the

Pawnee Business Council or by a petition signed by at least two percent

(2%) of the adult citizens of the Pawnee Nation.

Section 2. This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the qualified voters of

the Pawnee Nation voting in an election called for that purpose by the

Pawnee Business Council and conducted pursuant to the rules and

regulations of the Pawnee Nation. Provided that, at least four percent (4%)

of those qualified to vote shall cast ballots in such election.

Section 3. An amendment shall become effective when the vote is certified by the Election

Commission and submitted to the Secretary of the Pawnee Business

Council.

Amendment Q: be amended as follows: to remove “Article XIII — Adoption”

Amendment R: to be amended as follows: ARTICLE XIII - SAVINGS CLAUSE

All enactments of the Pawnee Nation adopted before the effective date of this Constitution

shall continue in effect to the extent that they are not inconsistent with this Constitution.

Amendment S: be amended as follows: ARTICLE XIV - SEVERABILITY

If any provision of the Pawnee Nation Constitution shall, in the future, be declared invalid

or unconstitutional or in violation of Federal or Pawnee Nation law, it is the intent of the

Pawnee Nation that the invalid portion shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall

remain in full force and effect.

Amendment T: be amended as follows; ARTICLE XV —- SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY

In fully exercising its self-determination and sovereign powers, the Pawnee Nation shall

be immune from suit except to the extent that the Pawnee Business Council expressly

waives the Nation’s sovereign immunity or as provided by in this Constitution.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Pawnee Business Council does hereby

approve and submit the attached Amendments of the Constitution of the Pawnee Nation of

Okjahoma to the Secretary of the Interior, or designee, of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to

conduct a Secretarial Election.

CERTIFICATION

I, George Gardipe, Secretary of the Pawnee Business Council, certify that a Special

Meeting of the Pawnee Business Council was held on the 15 day of July 2025 and that

the Pawnee Business Council is composed of eight members, of whom _8_ were present,

0 absent, comprising a quorum, and the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by a vote

of _6 for, 1 against, 0 abstaining, and_1_ not voting.

Signed this 134 day of July 2025

ATTEST:

George Gardipe, Secretary Misty e, President

Pawnee Business Council Pawnee Business Council

Pawnee Nation Resolution No. 25-36, Page 9 of 9

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.