On Election Day next month, members of the Three Affiliated Tribes will vote on whether to change the requirement for tribal enrollment, as reported by The Minot Daily News on Oct. 10.
Specifically, the amendment that will be voted on would prohibit lineal descendency. Only those with at least one-eighth Hidatsa, Mandan and/or Arikara blood would be allowed enrollment.
The Three Affiliated Tribes, based in North Dakota, have around 12,000 enrolled members, but many of them live off the reservation.
I hope all enrollment files are current regarding proof of blood quantum. If not the tribes have quite a chore ahead of them.
BOTH OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PASSED ON NOV. 2ND. ADMENDMENT A 616 FOR 477 AGAINST
1/8 DEGREE OF THREE AFFILIATED BLOOD FOR ENROLLMENT
ADMENDMENT B 693 FOR 400 AGAINST
1/4 THREE AFFILIATED BLOOD TO SERVE ON THE TRIBAL BUSINESS COUNCIL. THEY WERE 2583 REGISTERED VOTERS.
THE BIA WHO CONDUCTED THE SECRETATIAL ELECTION, HAS 45 DAYS TO ISSUE AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES. WITH NO CHALLENGES OR IRREGULARITIES IN THE POLLING PROCESS
WE ANTICIPATE AN EARLIER APPROVAL BY THE ABERDEEN AREA DIRECTOR AND THE SOLICITOR THAN THE USUAL 45 DAY PERIOD.