Seminole Indians of Florida will have an opportunity in the near future to vote on the ratification of a proposed tribal constitution and tribal corporate charter under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the Department of the Interior announced today.
The Florida Indian group, which has not previously had a formal tribal organization recognized by the Interior Department, submitted a proposed constitution and charter to Secretary Fred A. Seaton last March and asked him to authorize a tribal election on ratification of the two documents. Authorization was given by Assistant Secretary Roger C. Ernst in a letter July 11, 1957, to Kenneth A. Marmon, superintendent of the Indian Bureau’s Seminole Agency at Dania.
Under the rules that have been established, Superintendent Marmon will set the election date which may be any time from 20 to 60 days after the posting of public notice. All Indians 21 years of age and over whose names are on the agency’s tribal census roll at Dania are entitled to vote whether or not they reside on one of the three Florida reservations under Federal jurisdiction.
For the election to be valid, ballots must be cast by at least 30 percent of those entitled to vote. Favorable ballots by a majority of those voting will constitute ratification of the two documents.
The proposed constitution provides for a tribal council of eight members including one representative each from the Dania, Big Cypress and Brighton Reservations and five members elected at large. The council would have authority to represent the tribe in dealings with the Federal Government, to enact ordinance subject to review by the Secretary of the Interior, and to conduct programs for the tribal welfare.
The proposed charter provides for a separate organization to conduct the business affairs of the tribe and manage the tribal property.
