CONSTITUTION OF THE FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR TRIBAL NATION
PreambleWe, the descendants of Free People of Color, recognizing our ancestral legacy, cultural identity, and inherent sovereignty, do hereby establish this Constitution to govern, protect, and preserve the rights, traditions, and future of our people. We affirm our commitment to justice, equality, and the right to self-determination.
ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSESection 1: Free People of Color Tribal NationThis Nation shall be known as the Free People of Color Tribal Nation (hereinafter referred to as the "Nation").
Section 2: PurposeThe purposes of this Constitution are to:(a) Preserve and promote the cultural identity, heritage, and autonomy of Free People of Color.(b) Protect the civil, social, and economic rights of all citizens of the Nation.(c) Exercise self-governance in accordance with the inherent sovereignty of the Nation.(d) Promote social welfare, education, and economic development within our community.
ARTICLE II – JURISDICTION AND SOVEREIGNTYSection 1: SovereigntyThe Nation asserts its inherent sovereign right to govern itself, make and enforce laws, and manage its own affairs free from external interference.
Section 2: JurisdictionThe jurisdiction of the Nation shall extend to all tribal lands, community members, and matters affecting the Nation, as recognized by the laws of the Nation and any agreements with external governments.
ARTICLE III – CITIZENSHIPSection 1: Eligibility for CitizenshipCitizenship in the Nation shall be open to individuals who can demonstrate:(a) Lineal descent from recognized Free People of Color communities prior to 1865.(b) Adoption into the Nation by the Tribal Council under established procedures.
Section 2: Rights of CitizensAll citizens shall have the right to:(a) Participate in tribal governance and vote in elections.(b) Equal protection under the laws of the Nation.(c) Preservation and celebration of cultural identity and traditions.(d) Access community resources and services provided by the Nation.
Section 3: Dual CitizenshipCitizens of the Nation may hold dual citizenship with other sovereign nations or entities, provided such affiliation does not conflict with the interests of the Nation.
ARTICLE IV – GOVERNING STRUCTURESection 1: Tribal Council(a) Composition: The Tribal Council shall consist of seven (7) elected members, including a Chief and Vice-Chief.(b) Term of Office: Each member shall serve a term of four (4) years.(c) Powers: The Tribal Council shall:
Enact and enforce laws of the Nation.Approve the Nation’s annual budget.Manage and protect tribal lands and resources.Administer programs for the welfare of the people.Section 2: Executive Authority(a) Chief: The Chief shall serve as the head of the Nation and:
Execute and enforce laws.Represent the Nation in external affairs.Exercise emergency powers as authorized by the Council.(b) Vice-Chief: Assumes the duties of the Chief in their absence.Section 3: Judiciary(a) Tribal Court: An independent Tribal Court shall interpret and apply the laws of the Nation.(b) Judges: Judges shall be appointed by the Tribal Council for a term of six (6) years.(c) Jurisdiction: The Tribal Court shall have jurisdiction over civil, criminal, and administrative matters within the Nation.
ARTICLE V – ELECTIONS AND PARTICIPATIONSection 1: Voting RightsAll citizens aged 18 years or older shall have the right to vote in tribal elections.
Section 2: ElectionsElections shall be held every four (4) years by secret ballot, under the supervision of an independent Election Board.
Section 3: Recall and RemovalElected officials may be removed for misconduct or failure to perform duties through a recall vote requiring a two-thirds (2/3) majority of participating citizens.
ARTICLE VI – RIGHTS AND FREEDOMSSection 1: Individual RightsThe Nation guarantees all citizens:(a) Freedom of speech, religion, and cultural expression.(b) The right to a fair trial and due process.(c) Protection against unlawful discrimination.(d) Access to education, healthcare, and community welfare.
Section 2: Cultural PreservationThe Nation commits to preserving the cultural practices, languages, and traditions of Free People of Color.
ARTICLE VII – LAND AND RESOURCESSection 1: Tribal LandsAll lands held by the Nation shall be collectively owned and managed in trust for future generations.
Section 2: Resource ManagementThe Tribal Council shall regulate the use and preservation of natural and cultural resources.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTSSection 1: Proposal of AmendmentsAmendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:(a) A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Tribal Council.(b) A petition signed by at least 25% of voting-age citizens.
Section 2: RatificationAmendments shall become law upon approval by a majority vote in a tribal referendum.
ARTICLE IX – RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTSSection 1: Intergovernmental RelationsThe Nation may engage in treaties, agreements, and partnerships with other sovereign entities, provided such actions protect the interests of the Nation.
ARTICLE X – ADOPTION OF THIS CONSTITUTIONSection 1: RatificationThis Constitution shall be adopted upon approval by a majority vote of the Nation’s citizens in a duly held referendum.
Section 2: Effective DateThis Constitution shall take effect immediately upon ratification.
Duly adopted by the citizens of the Free People of Color Tribal Nation
ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSESection 1: Free People of Color Tribal NationThis Nation shall be known as the Free People of Color Tribal Nation (hereinafter referred to as the "Nation").
Section 2: PurposeThe purposes of this Constitution are to:(a) Preserve and promote the cultural identity, heritage, and autonomy of Free People of Color.(b) Protect the civil, social, and economic rights of all citizens of the Nation.(c) Exercise self-governance in accordance with the inherent sovereignty of the Nation.(d) Promote social welfare, education, and economic development within our community.
ARTICLE II – JURISDICTION AND SOVEREIGNTYSection 1: SovereigntyThe Nation asserts its inherent sovereign right to govern itself, make and enforce laws, and manage its own affairs free from external interference.
Section 2: JurisdictionThe jurisdiction of the Nation shall extend to all tribal lands, community members, and matters affecting the Nation, as recognized by the laws of the Nation and any agreements with external governments.
ARTICLE III – CITIZENSHIPSection 1: Eligibility for CitizenshipCitizenship in the Nation shall be open to individuals who can demonstrate:(a) Lineal descent from recognized Free People of Color communities prior to 1865.(b) Adoption into the Nation by the Tribal Council under established procedures.
Section 2: Rights of CitizensAll citizens shall have the right to:(a) Participate in tribal governance and vote in elections.(b) Equal protection under the laws of the Nation.(c) Preservation and celebration of cultural identity and traditions.(d) Access community resources and services provided by the Nation.
Section 3: Dual CitizenshipCitizens of the Nation may hold dual citizenship with other sovereign nations or entities, provided such affiliation does not conflict with the interests of the Nation.
ARTICLE IV – GOVERNING STRUCTURESection 1: Tribal Council(a) Composition: The Tribal Council shall consist of seven (7) elected members, including a Chief and Vice-Chief.(b) Term of Office: Each member shall serve a term of four (4) years.(c) Powers: The Tribal Council shall:
Enact and enforce laws of the Nation.Approve the Nation’s annual budget.Manage and protect tribal lands and resources.Administer programs for the welfare of the people.Section 2: Executive Authority(a) Chief: The Chief shall serve as the head of the Nation and:
Execute and enforce laws.Represent the Nation in external affairs.Exercise emergency powers as authorized by the Council.(b) Vice-Chief: Assumes the duties of the Chief in their absence.Section 3: Judiciary(a) Tribal Court: An independent Tribal Court shall interpret and apply the laws of the Nation.(b) Judges: Judges shall be appointed by the Tribal Council for a term of six (6) years.(c) Jurisdiction: The Tribal Court shall have jurisdiction over civil, criminal, and administrative matters within the Nation.
ARTICLE V – ELECTIONS AND PARTICIPATIONSection 1: Voting RightsAll citizens aged 18 years or older shall have the right to vote in tribal elections.
Section 2: ElectionsElections shall be held every four (4) years by secret ballot, under the supervision of an independent Election Board.
Section 3: Recall and RemovalElected officials may be removed for misconduct or failure to perform duties through a recall vote requiring a two-thirds (2/3) majority of participating citizens.
ARTICLE VI – RIGHTS AND FREEDOMSSection 1: Individual RightsThe Nation guarantees all citizens:(a) Freedom of speech, religion, and cultural expression.(b) The right to a fair trial and due process.(c) Protection against unlawful discrimination.(d) Access to education, healthcare, and community welfare.
Section 2: Cultural PreservationThe Nation commits to preserving the cultural practices, languages, and traditions of Free People of Color.
ARTICLE VII – LAND AND RESOURCESSection 1: Tribal LandsAll lands held by the Nation shall be collectively owned and managed in trust for future generations.
Section 2: Resource ManagementThe Tribal Council shall regulate the use and preservation of natural and cultural resources.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTSSection 1: Proposal of AmendmentsAmendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:(a) A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Tribal Council.(b) A petition signed by at least 25% of voting-age citizens.
Section 2: RatificationAmendments shall become law upon approval by a majority vote in a tribal referendum.
ARTICLE IX – RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTSSection 1: Intergovernmental RelationsThe Nation may engage in treaties, agreements, and partnerships with other sovereign entities, provided such actions protect the interests of the Nation.
ARTICLE X – ADOPTION OF THIS CONSTITUTIONSection 1: RatificationThis Constitution shall be adopted upon approval by a majority vote of the Nation’s citizens in a duly held referendum.
Section 2: Effective DateThis Constitution shall take effect immediately upon ratification.
Duly adopted by the citizens of the Free People of Color Tribal Nation