Seminole voters approve changes

JULY 7, 2000

Seminole Nation voters last weekend approved all nine proposed resolutions placed before them, instituting wide changes in tribal goverment.

Voters, by a simple majority, approved:

The establishment of a court system
Tax-collection by the tribe, and in a separate proposal, excluding private, individually owned Seminole Indian businesses on restricted and trust land
Changing the 1886 treaty boundary
Term limits for chief and assistant chief
Allowing member initiated referendums
Requirement of a 1/8th blood quantum for membership, and in a separate proposal, the wording of membership status
Allowing the council to change the Judgment Fund Plan