This section is from the book "The Book Of Woodcraft", by Ernest Thompson Seton. Also available from Amazon: The Book of Woodcraft.
This Brotherhood shall be called " The (any local Indian name) Tribe of the Little/Big Lodge of Woodcraft Indians".
The true purpose of this Tribe in its Councils shall be to learn of the great Redmen, and to seek out and follow such things as they teach in the outdoor life and the pleasures of woodcraft, and help us to work actively for the preservation of wild-life and landscape, and cherish the spirit of Brotherhood, and, above all, see the Beautiful in all things, and through all these achieve a high manhood.
Those who would enter must show themselves worthy, according to the established initiation.
The number in the Tribe may not exceed 50 (or other number, as agreed).
Those who would enter must be admitted to a Band, which is already part of the Tribe, or is afterward made such.
The Indian Boy has no vote in the Tribe, nor can he hold office; he must first become a Young Brave. Young Braves and Minisino have each a vote, and may hold office.
A Council of the Tribe should be held in the first part of each Moon.
The yearly Council for the election of officers shall be held on the first sun of the Crow Moon (March) or as soon after as possible.
The moons are: Snow (Jan.), Hunger (Feb.), Crow or Wakening (March), Grass (April), Planting (May), Rose (June), Thunder (July), Red (Aug.), Hunting (Sep.), Leaf-falling (Oct.), Mad (Nov.), Long-night (Dec).
Special Councils may be called by the Chief, and must be called by him upon the written request of one fourth of the Council, or one third of the Tribe.
A quarter of the whole number shall be a quorum of the Council or Tribe. Seven suns' notice must be given before each Council.
A Brave or Minisino may vote at any Council of the Tribe, by proxy in his own handwriting.
Head Chief, elected by the whole Tribe. He should be strong and acceptable, for he is the leader and must enforce the laws. He is Head of the Council and of the Tribe and has charge of the standard which bears the totem of the Tribe.
The Second Chief takes the Head Chief's place in his absence; otherwise, he is merely a Councilor. He is elected by the whole Tribe.
So, also, the elected Third Chief is leader, only when the other two are away.
He is not elected, but appointed for one year by the Chief. He is charged with keeping the money and public property of the Tribe, except the records. He ought to have a lock-box or small trunk to keep valuables in.
He is not elected, but appointed for one year by the Chief. He keeps the tribal records, including the book of Laws, the Roster or Roll, the Winter Count or Record of Camps and Seasons, and the Feather Tally, or Record of Honors and Exploits. He enters nothing except as commanded by the Council. He should be an artist.
Sometimes one Councilor or Chief holds more than one office.
The Old Guide or Medicine Man is elected and appointed by the whole Tribe. He is a member of the Council without election.
Add to these the Chief of each Band or Clan in the Tribe, and all the Sachems and Sagamores (see page 74); provided always that that number of non-elective members shall not exceed the number of elective members. These officers and Councilors form the governing body. (If there are too many Nobles, omit those who were latest raised to rank).
All disputes, etc., are settled by the Chief and the Council. The Council makes the laws and fixes the dues. The Chief enforces the laws.
All rulers are elected or appointed for one year, or until their successors are chosen. The election to take place on, or as soon as possible after, Spring Day, which is the first Sun of the Crow Moon (March 1st).
Each year an Honorary Life Member may be elected. {Whenever in doubt, follow the National Constitution).
(To be signed with his name and totem in the Tally Book) I give my word of honor that I will maintain the Laws, see fair play in all the doings of the Tribe, and protect the weak.
(To be signed with the name and totem of each in the Tally Book) I give my word of honor that I will obey the Chief and Council of my Tribe, and if I fail in my duty, I will appear before the Council, when ordered, and submit without murmuring to their decision.
Changes of this code may be in harmony with the National laws made at any Council by a two-thirds vote of all the Tribe.
Notice of proposed amendments shall be made public for at least seven suns before the meeting.
Dues shall be, first.....a year; second, all assessments made by the Council for Tribal property; and, third, when necessary, the Council shall assess those taking part in camp.
The initiation fee for new Braves shall be..... which shall include the first year's dues, but this shall not include assessments.
It is charged that all keep secret the doings in Council.
The laws are as already given on pages 62-64. Punishments are meted out by the Chief and Council, after a hearing of the case. They consist of:
Exclusion from the games or boats for a time. Reduction in rank, or of fines, etc.
The extreme penalty is death; that is, banishment from the Tribe.
 
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