OFFICIALS
From left to right: Chief Tall Bear, Standing Grand Chief Patrick Sarrazin, and Chief Iron Mountain
LINNA CHIEF'S
THE LEGAL CONSTITUTION OF THE INDIAN NATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA
The first step taken at the convention of the delegates of the Indian Chiefs held at Ottawa on June 7th, 1944, in the Y.M.C.A. building, was to elect an acting President; therefore, James Fox was chosen. The acting President asked the convention leader to take the floor and explain the rules and regulations that constitute the fundamental basis of the legal Constitution.
The leader of the convention, Jules Sioui, submitted the following explanations:
1. At the opening of every great meeting, the acting President shall call upon the Supreme Chief of the Nations, enjoining him to say a prayer to the Great Spirit of above, petitioning His aid in favor of the Indian Nations of North America.
2. The Authorities of the League of the Indian Nations of North America shall take all the necessary measures to ensure that every Indian shall back the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which was signed in favor of the Indian Nations and for its best interest.
3. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. They will inform the members of the Nations of their full liberties and their independence all over America.
4. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. To make it known that the Indian Nation is a Nation with the right to exist on the same footing as any other nation worldwide.
5. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. They shall endeavor to have all the treaties that were passed, respected, and recognized to guarantee the liberty and independence of the Indian Nations of North America.
6. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. They shall make the Nation members understand that they are obliged to obtain an identification card so that they will be recognized as Indians belonging to a given NATION, consequently having the right to all the protection and privileges that accrue to those possessing the rights of the legal Constitution.
7. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. They shall have the power to negotiate with His Majesty's government, at Ottawa, regarding the natural resources in so far as the interests of the Indian Nations are concerned.
8. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. They shall never declare war against any other nation nor participate in any war, no matter who is at war.
9. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. They shall make it known that no white man has the right to live on Indian land unless he has first obtained a permit issued by the League's Authorities, which means that each nation must have an official plan to the limits of land.
10. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. They shall see to it that the Indians be given the privileges of hunting, fishing, and trapping there where game is to be found (i.e., fur-bearing animals) without expecting any territory, and with the distinct understanding that neither the provincial nor federal authorities shall have the right to stop them nor prosecute them, as long as the Indian avails himself of his rights for his personal needs or those of the nation.
11. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. According to the nation, they shall retain the right to have school Masters who can teach the national language. The study of the nation's history shall be obligatory, which will permit the children of the future generations to study and better know their race, the people, and their country, and be in a better spirit to obey the nation's authorities.
12. The Authorities of the League of Indian Nations of North America shall be guarantors of the integral respect of the legal rights. They shall explain to the entire nation that June 5th of each year is to be considered a national feast all over North America, that is to say by each nation, and this will enable each one to have a holiday; consequently, those who work on salary shall lose no pay. This will permit future generations to rejoice in being members of the Indian Nations and proud of their nationality and ideals.
Signed Supreme Chief: Jim Horton
Assistant: John Tootoosis
Secretary of the League: Jules Sioui
1. In order to obtain a sound administration, it is necessary to have good chiefs and to have good chiefs. It is necessary to rely upon sound legislation based on equality, charity, and a charter of honesty, and a spirit of justice.
2. The nation's authorities must teach and explain to their people all the rights that the Royal Proclamation of 1763 confers. Under this Proclamation, the Indian Nation is entitled to its neutrality and independence. Furthermore, more than any other Nation, it enjoys a right to protection.
3. Each member of the Indian Nation, man, woman, and child, must realize that a nation cannot exist without a government, and government cannot administer the affairs of the country and its people without enacting laws so that the people may know what to do to obtain peace in their society. To instill a good moral in the people, each member must fully respect the law that governs them with a view to the success of each and all without distinction.
4. The authorities shall be responsible for extending their power in every domain, consistent with their rights, not for infringing dishonesty elsewhere, but to regain what belongs to the nation.
5. The authorities shall see to it that the legal Constitution be submitted to and observed by all the other governments, foreign as well as this on the continent and those included in North America so that it be assured that our people shall be able to circulate in all security protected by the respect of the Indian Nation's rights.
6. The authorities shall issue a proclamation obliging each member to his identification card to be well known and admitted to the ranks if he desires to benefit by the rights and privileges of the nation. Suppose that an Indian has to travel and that he falls suddenly sick, or meets with a serious accident, no matter if he is in a large city or small village, on his certificate will appear a special number that will enable the officials of the locality, to report to Headquarters of the registers of the Nations, so that he has given the necessary care to the Indian carrying the number so and so. All the privileges and rights will be printed on the back of the certificate, which will also carry a photograph of the Indian and will bear the nation's seal, the whole being included on a specially adapted envelope.
7. The authorities shall assume the duty of collecting all the articles manufactured by the Indians and will look after the marketing of same among other Nations and their governments, which will enable the stabilizing of the interchange of trade and commerce, and the creating of a market for the sale to the products of the Indian craftsman and have the effect of encouraging him in his work. The authorities shall see to it the timber and other material needed for the production of Indian goods be reserved exclusively for the benefit of the Indians, thus allowing them to attain a higher standard of living.
8. The authorities shall take the necessary measures to make it known to all the other nations that the Indian Nation never wanted war, never tried to start a war with any other nation, and never desired anything but peace. The authorities shall resolve to always appeal to the good judgment of the human being because the only way to achieve success and justice is by acting friendly.
9. The authorities shall realize that the vast countries presently occupied by strangers were never sold or ceded by the Indians but were occupied by armed strength.