TO: The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council and the Blackfeet Tribal Election Board

We, the undersigned enrolled members of the Blackfeet Nation, respectfully submit this petition requesting the amendment of the Blackfeet Nation Plan of Operations and any related ordinances, resolutions, or policies governing compensation of elected members of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council.

WHEREAS:
The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council is entrusted with the governance of the Blackfeet Nation and the responsible stewardship of tribal resources on behalf of the tribal membership; and

The enrolled members of the Blackfeet Nation possess the inherent right to ensure accountability, transparency, and responsible management of tribal funds and governmental operations; and

Public trust in tribal government requires transparency in compensation, financial accountability, and meaningful participation of the tribal membership in decisions affecting elected officials; and

The compensation of elected officials should reflect fiscal responsibility, fairness, and the will of the qualified voters of the Blackfeet Nation;

THEREFORE, WE PETITION THAT:
The provisions of the Blackfeet Nation Plan of Operations, together with any related ordinances, resolutions, policies, or practices governing salaries, compensation, stipends, allowances, reimbursements, per diem payments, travel expenses, gifts, and benefits of members of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, be formally reviewed and amended through lawful tribal process and referendum election;
Compensation paid to elected members of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council shall be limited to a reasonable and publicly established base salary determined through a transparent public process with direct input from the tribal membership;
No increase in salary, compensation, stipend, allowance, reimbursement, per diem payment, bonus, gift, travel benefit, retirement benefit, insurance benefit, or any other form of financial or material compensation for members of the Tribal Business Council shall take effect unless first approved by a majority vote of the qualified tribal membership through referendum election;
No sitting member of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council shall directly or indirectly benefit during their current elected term from any compensation increase approved during that same term unless expressly approved by referendum vote of the tribal membership;
Any proposed compensation structure, amendment, increase, or modification concerning compensation or benefits for elected Tribal Business Council members shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the Blackfeet Nation pursuant to the Constitution, bylaws, Plan of Operations, ordinances, election laws, and all other applicable laws of the Blackfeet Nation before becoming effective;
Full public disclosure of all salaries, stipends, reimbursements, travel expenses, per diem payments, bonuses, gifts, retirement contributions, insurance benefits, and any other compensation paid or provided to elected members of the Tribal Business Council shall be made available annually to the tribal membership through public report;
All candidates elected or appointed to the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council shall, prior to assuming office, sign a binding Compensation and Accountability Compliance Agreement acknowledging and agreeing to abide by all compensation limitations, disclosure requirements, referendum requirements, and accountability provisions established by tribal law and referendum action;
Violation of any compensation limitation, unauthorized acceptance of compensation, failure to disclose compensation, or refusal to comply with referendum-approved compensation policies shall constitute grounds for ethics investigation, public censure, repayment of unauthorized compensation, removal proceedings, disqualification from future tribal office, or any other remedies authorized under tribal law;
Any conflicting provisions contained within the current Plan of Operations, ordinances, resolutions, policies, or practices of the Blackfeet Nation shall be amended, repealed, or superseded as necessary to fully carry out the intent and purpose of this petition and any referendum approved by the tribal membership.
We submit this petition in the interest of transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and responsive government for the benefit of the present and future members of the Blackfeet Nation.