Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico - Tribal Constitution

Table of Contents Updated: January 2016

The tribe makes their constitution available online. The links below will take you to the version of the constitution available on the tribe's website.

Constitution (Amended October 29, 2012)

Table of Contents

PREAMBLE

ARTICLE 1 - JURISDICTION
Sec. 1. - Jurisdiction.
Sec. 2. - Observance of Pueblo Constitution and Laws.
Sec. 3. - Non-members residing on Pueblo Land.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Sec. 1. - Qualifications.
Sec. 2. - Renunciation of Membership.
Sec. 3. - Powers of Pueblo Council over Membership.
Sec. 4. - Loss of Membership.

ARTICLE III - THE PUEBLO COUNCIL, STAFF OFFICERS AND SETTLEMENTS
Sec. 1. - The Pueblo Council.
Sec. 2. - Staff Officers.
Sec. 3. - Secretary, Treasurer and Interpreter.
Sec. 4. - Council Meetings.
Sec. 5. - Settlements.
Sec. 6. - Settlement Representation.

ARTICLE IV - THE PUEBLO COUNCIL AND ITS POWERS
Sec. 1. - Statement of Sovereign Powers.
Sec. 2. - Specific Powers.

ARTICLE V - JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Sec. 1. - Statement of Judicial Power.
Sec. 2. - The Pueblo Court.
Sec. 3. - Jurisdiction and Procedure.
Sec. 4. - Criminal and Civil Codes.
Sec. 5. - Settlement of Private Disputes.
Sec. 6. - Advocates and Attorneys.
Sec. 7. - Appeals.

ARTICLE VI - POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Sec. 1. - Powers and Duties of Governor and Acting Governor.
Sec. 2. - Staff Officers.
Sec. 3. - Treasurer.
Sec. 4. - Secretary.
Sec. 5. - Interpreter.
Sec. 6. - Other Duties.
Sec. 7. - Vacancies.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS
Sec. 1. - Election Ordinance.
Sec. 2. - Eligibility of Voters.
Sec. 3. - Qualifications for Staff Officers and Village Representatives.
Sec. 4. - Terms of Office.
Sec. 5. - Residence of Pueblo Council Members.
Sec. 6. - Election of Staff Officers, Secretary, Treasurer and Interpreter.
Sec. 7. - Election of Representatives from Villages.
Sec. 8. - First Election.

ARTICLE VIII - VILLAGE ORGANIZATION AND CUSTOMARY OFFICERS
Sec. 1. - Supervision of Village Staff Officers by the Governor.
Sec. 2. - Village Officials.
Sec. 3. - Customary Officers.

ARTICLE IX - LAND ASSIGNMENT, LAND LEASING, MINERALS AND WATER RIGHTS
Sec. 1. - Assignment Policy.
Sec. 2. - Nature of Interest Acquired.
Sec. 3. - Assignment Application Procedures.
Sec. 4. - Termination of Assignments in the Public Interest For Just Cause.
Sec. 5. - Termination for Cause.
Sec. 6. - Prohibitions on Assignments.
Sec. 7. - Land Leases to Pueblo Members for Business Purposes.
Sec. 8. - Leases.
Sec. 9. - Termination of Leases.
Sec. 10. - Natural Resources.
Sec. 11. - Water Rights.

ARTICLE X - PUEBLO OF LAGUNA GENERAL FUND AND PER CAPITA DISTRIBUTION FUND
Sec. 1. - Creation of Per Capita Distribution Fund.
Sec. 2. - Additions to the PCD Fund.
Sec. 3. - Transfers from the PCD Fund.
Sec. 4. - Maintenance and Use of the PCD Fund.
Sec. 5. - Per Capita Distributions.

ARTICLE XI - RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
Sec. 1. - Bill of Rights.
Sec. 2. - Religious Toleration.
Sec. 3. - Other Rights.

ARTICLE XII - BONDING AND AUDIT

ARTICLE XIII - LIQUIDATION

ARTICLE XIV - REPEAL AND SAVINGS CLAUSE
Sec. 1. - Repeal of 1958 Constitution.
Sec. 2. - Existing Ordinances and Resolutions.
Sec. 3. - Incumbents.

ARTICLE XV - AMENDMENTS
Sec. 1. - Call.
Sec. 2. - Adoption.

ARTICLE XVI - CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION

ARTICLE XVII - CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

ARTICLE XIX - CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

[Table of Contents created by NILL in January 2016, based on constitution as amended October 29, 2012.]