Judical Code

Judicial Code

Code of Ethics

Whereas, the Prairie Island Indian Community Council has the authority under the provisions of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (48 Stat. 984), and is governed by the terms of a Constitution and Bylaws adopted by the tribal members on May 23, 1936, and approved by the Secretary of the Interior on June 20, 1936; and

Whereas, the said Constitution and Bylaws provide that the Community Council also referred to as the Prairie Island Tribal Council shall be the governing body for the Prairie Island Indian Community pursuant to Article IV, Section 1; and

Whereas, the Tribal Council has the authority to as enumerated in the Constitution and Bylaws promulgate ordinances , resolutions , institute rules and regulations and consider various matters that fall within the authority of a federally recognized Indian Tribe; and

Whereas, the Tribal council has determined due to the recent community developments and progress within the past years a “Code of Ethics” is now necessary to regulate the procedure of the Community Council itself as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws Article V Section 1 (1);

Whereas, the Tribal Council has determined the “Code of Ethics” as adopted shall be binding upon the Prairie Island Tribal Council upon passage by this resolution and shall be as follows:

“Code of Ethics”

The Prairie Island Tribal Council shall follow the Code of Ethics:

1. As a member of the Prairie Island Tribal Council representing all the members of the Prairie Island Indian Community, I recognize

(A). that my fellow members of the Prairie Island Indian Community have entrusted me with the exercise of powers and laws as provided in the “Constitution and Bylaws of the Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota”;

(B). that the membership of the Prairie Island Indian Community expects my first and greatest concern to be in the best interest of each and every one of these members without distinction as to who they are or what their family background may be;

(C). that the future welfare of the Prairie Island Indian Community depends in the largest measure upon the quality of leadership we provide as a Tribal Council to fit the needs of every Tribal member; and

(D). that my fellow members of the Prairie Island Tribal Council and I must take the initiative in helping all the members of the Prairie Island Indian Community to have all the facts all the time about their Community, to the end that they will be readily provided the finest possible governmental services, programs, staff and facilities; and

(E). that legally the authority of the Prairie Island Tribal Council is derived from the Constitution and Bylaws of the Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota which ultimately controls the Tribal Council and the Tribal Government Operations and Services which determines the degree of power to exercised by the Tribal Council for purposes of self-government and self-determination.

(F). that I must never neglect my personal obligation to the community and my legal obligation, nor surrender these responsibilities to any person, group, or organization; but that, beyond these , I have a moral and civic obligation to the reservation and Tribe.

In view of the foregoing consideration, it shall be my constant endeavor

1. to devote time, thought, and study to the duties and responsibilities of a Prairie Island Tribal Council member so that I may render effective and creditable service;

2. To work with my fellow Prairie Island Tribal Council members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of opinion that arise during vigorous debate of points at issue;

3. To base my personal decision upon all available facts in each situation; to vote my honest conviction in every case, unswayed by partisan bias of any kind or unfounded hearsay and rumor or public clamor; thereafter, to abide by and uphold the final majority of the Prairie Island Tribal Council vote whether my vote was with the majority or not;

4. To remember at all times that as an individual I have no legal authority outside the meetings of the Prairie Island Tribal Council unless having been given the express written authority as properly delegated by the Prairie Island Tribal Council by majority vote, and to conduct my relationships with the staff of the Tribal government and enterprises, the local Tribal membership and population, and all media of communication on the basis of this fact;

5. To resist every temptation and outside pressure to use my position as a Prairie Island Tribal Council Member to benefit either myself or any other individual or agency apart from the total interest of the Prairie Island Tribal government or its enterprises;

6. To recognize that it is as important for the Prairie Island Tribal Council to understand the operations of the Tribal Government and its Enterprises services and programs as it is to plan for the business and financial accountability of the Tribal Government and its Enterprises;

7. To bear in mind under all circumstances that the primary function of the Prairie Island Tribal Council is to establish the policies by which the Tribal Government and its Enterprises are to be administered but that the administration of the Tribal Government and its Enterprises and the conduct of the Tribe and its Enterprises shall be left to employed administrators and management and their professional staff and non-professional staff; on all routine matters on a day to day basis except that the Prairie Island Tribal Council reserves the right and authority to oversee and provide supervision and direction over all matters affecting the tribal government operations and its enterprises.

8. To welcome and encourage active cooperation by the Tribal membership, organizations, and the media of communication in the system with respect to establishing policy on current Tribal operations and proposed future developments.

9. Finally to strive step by step toward ideal conditions for most effective Tribal Government services and programs to my community, in a spirit of teamwork and devotion to Tribal Government and its Enterprises as the greatest instruments for the preservation and perpetuation of our way of life; and

10. To accord a mutual respect to staff members and employees of the Tribal Government and its Enterprises as well as their patrons, customers, and constituencies.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; The Prairie Island Tribal Council hereby adopts the “Code of Ethics” as stated above and the attached “Tribal Council Member Manual” pursuant to Article V. Powers (1) “To adopt any resolutions regulating the procedure of the Community Council itself and of other community agencies and community officials.”, as a manner and method of self rule, self-determination and self-government on a more orderly and professional basis.

C-E-R-T-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N

This resolution was passed at an executive meeting of the Prairie Island Tribal Council with a quorum present with a vote of 5 for, 0 against, and 0 abstentions, on Nov. 5, 1993.

Freeman Johnson, President Johnny Johnson, Vice President

Edith Pacini, Secretary Vine H. Wells, Treasurer

Lu Taylor-Jacobson, Asst. Sec/Treas.

PIIC\Ordinance Copies\Code of Ethics

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