The Tribal Council would like to provide information on the current efforts to amend the Tribe’s Constitution. On January 8, 2026, the Tribal Council approved two Resolutions to call for a Secretarial Election to amend the Constitution and to establish a Secretarial Election Board, as required by the BIA.  Our Tribe’s Constitution, of June 23, 1987, has never been amended.  This process, called a “Secretarial Election”, is a Federal Election which requires the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to facilitate. There will be (7) seven separate areas called “Proposed Constitutional Amendments” that you will be able to vote on.

Election Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026

This Election will be by MAIL ONLY, per BIA Federal Requirements.

INFORMATION MEETING: Sunday, March 8, 2026, Regular Council Meeting beginning at 10 a.m. Following regular business, “Good of the Tribe’ will be dedicated for information and questions.

In person location at the Community Center, 338 Wallace Ave, Coos Bay, OR. A Zoom link will be provided on the Tribes website prior to the event.

What the BIA will Do: All CTCLUSI members will be contacted DIRECTLY by the BIA. Because a Secretarial Election is a Federal Election, Federal Law requires you to register WITH the BIA to participate in this Election process. The Tribe was required to provide the last known mailing address of all members 18 years of age or older.   You will receive a special registration packet from the BIA that you must complete to vote in the Secretarial Election. YOU MUST RETURN THIS PROMPTLY.

History of Events: The Tribe provided previously, extensive outreach to membership, held question and answer forums, and collected comments by surveys about various areas of proposed amendments. The Tribal Council has worked with legal counsel and submitted proposed language for amendments to the BIA to seek both technical review and ensure all suggested language meets legal sufficiency, as required. The BIA, through the Solicitor, has made suggestions and recommendations throughout this process. The Tribe has better defined areas as requested. On February 4, 2026, the BIA made a final legal sufficiency determination.  Please see the following document types, included in this mailing and that will also be available on the Tribe’s website.  

(EXHIBIT A) Side by Side Draft: This document format was required and approved by the BIA. On the left side is our original Constitution language and on the right side identifies the proposed constitutional amendment language changes, with blue underlined text as “new” language and red stricken text as what will be removed.

(EXHIBIT B) Proposed Amendment Guide: This document contains additional information about the (7) seven areas of proposed Constitutional amendments with an explanation of each proposed change. USE AS A REFERENCE WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT PACKETS FROM THE BIA.

Determination of the Vote:  This number is determined by “Registered Voters” with the BIA. There must be a minimum of thirty percent (30%) participation of those who registered. Then, at least two thirds (2/3) must vote in favor, for any amendment to pass and be adopted.

Example: 200 register, 80 ballots are received (40%); at least 54 of the 80 must be in favor.

Next Steps: We will be mailing this information to each enrolled member 18 years or older.  Please review this, and all future communications as we move through this historic process together. We will continue to provide information as the Secretarial Election Board establishes Election procedures.