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Tribal Constitution

of the Red Bear Pembina Chippewa

We, the original Pembina Chippewa Tribe, once led by Ogimaa Miscomakwa Chief Red Bear and Ogimaa Joseph Montrieul, Treaty Signers of the 1863 Pembina Treaty at Old Crossing, express gratitude for the blessings of friendship, peace, freedom, and liberties enjoyed. With the aim of perpetually maintaining these blessings and in accordance with the enabling act of Congress approved on June 18th, 1934, we establish this Constitution. (to be posted February 2nd, 2024)

The 1863 Treaty

Established title and occupancy

The 1863 Pembina Old Crossing Treaty was an extension of the unsuccessful 1851 Pembina Treaty. The US aimed to acquire 11 million acres in Northern Minnesota owned by established title and occupancy holders of the Little Shell Chippewa, Red Bear Pembina Chippewa, and Red Lake Chippewa. Red Bear was assured a Reservation, which has yet to be granted. Review the negotiations and the final treaty with the 1864 addendum.

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Tribal Governance

Executive, Legislative and Judicial

Comprised of Executive, Legislative and Judicial departments with a General Council that is Elected every 2 years and Hereditary Council oversight acting with qualified authority under 1971 Act of Congress Bill H.R. 6072 Report No. 142-92 as 1863 Pembina Old Crossing Treaty signatory heirs of Chief Red Bear and Chief Joseph Montreuil. The Judicial Branch is comprised of the Matriarchs Council led by the Chief Matriarch.

Federal Recognition

recognized by the U.S. Congress, U.S. Supreme Court, ICC and CFC

In 2024, the Red Bear Pembina Chippewa Indians seek normalized-independent relations with the Department of Interior and a separate reservation, as legally entitled under Article 9 of the 1863 Treaty at Old Crossing and Article 8 of the 1892 McCumber Agreement. This move is prompted by prolonged apathy and abuse from other Reservation communities we have generationally been placed within pending our multiple Treaty promised Reservation.

Federal Recognition comes from any of the Three Branches of U.S. Government. The Pembina Band of Red Bear is recognized by the United States Congress under the 1863 Old Crossing Treaty (Article 9 - a Reservation for Chief Red Bear), the 1892 McCumber Agreement (Article 8 - a Reservation for Chief Red Bear separate from the Turtle Mountain Chippewa), and again in 1971 Act of Congress Bill H.R. 6072 Report No. 142-92 whereby the United States Congress identified the Authorized Red Bear Chieftain families. The Pembina Band of Red Bear is recognized by the Judicial Branch under the 1964/65 United States Court of Claims [Red Lake v. United States, 164 Ct. Cl. 389] and Red Lake & Pembina Bands v. Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, 173 Ct. Cl. 928).

Additionally the Supreme Court upheld the Indian Court of Claims ruling in Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. United States, 490 F.2d 935, 953-54, 203 Ct.Cl. 426, 456-59 (1974) that the Turtle Mountain Chippewa do not speak for the other groups. The United States Congress, Supreme Court, Indian Claims Commission and the United States Court of Claims have declared that the Pembina Band, Little Shell Band, Red Lake Band, and Turtle Mountain Band are separate entities declaring: "A group of descendants of a once-organized tribe or band is a proper identifiable group." Peoria Tribe of Indians v. United States, 169 Ct. Cl. 1009 (1965); Thompson v. United States, 122 Ct. Cl. 348, 357-58, 359-61 (1952), cert. den., 344 U.S. 856.

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Tribal Enrollment

Provisions for Citizenship - Lineal Descent

Official Annual Rolls will be taken July 1 - July 31st. Citizenship is open to all persons descended from Chief Red Bear, Chief Charles Bottineau, Chief Joseph Montrieul, Female Chiefs Machequayaince Adik Songab, Techomegood Adik Songab, Utinawasis Adik Songab or their bands as lineal descendants of the Pembina Chippewa Indians per annuity rolls related to the 1863 Pembina Treaty at Old Crossing.

The Red Bear Pembina Chippewa Indians adhere to lineal citizenship based on traditional customs, traditions and beliefs, which are also shared by every nation in the world. This is additionally in accordance with United Nations Resolution A61-295, The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

According to United Nations Resolution A61/295 enacted on September 13, 2007, with ratification by U.S. President Barack Obama on December 16, 2010, member states must protect the distinct identity and cultural integrity of indigenous peoples:

The right to maintain and strengthen their cultural institutions (Article 5.)
The right to belong to an indigenous community or nation (Article 9.)
The right to practice, revitalize, and transmit their cultural traditions (Article 11.)
The right to control education systems in their own languages (Articles 14 and 15, A/HRC/EMRIP/2012/3)
The right to promote, develop, and maintain their institutional structures, customs, spirituality, traditions, and juridical systems (Article 34.)
The right to maintain, control, and develop their cultural heritage and traditional knowledge (Article 31.)
The right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture (Article 8 (1).)

First Presidency and Senior Tribal Officers of the Red Bear Pembina Chippewa Indians

Gichi Ay'aa Ogimaa Ma'Lingaan Albert Dennis Lambert

Co-Chief Executive of the Tribe presiding over the Tribe's Legislative Hereditary Elders Council.

Group Chairman at International Reserve Depository Institute, Inc., IRDB Hong Kong Ltd., UDC Data Tech LLC.

Eldest Living Lineal Grandson of Chief Red Bear, Chief Joseph Montreuil, and Chief Charles Bottineau.

Chief Ma'Lingaan is a 12 year Veteran of the United States Marine, a Vietnam Veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star.

A graduate of Chaminade University of Hawaii, Chief Ma'Lingaan is recognized as one of the most successful American Indian Entrepreneurs in the Energy and Oil industries. His professional and personal motivation has always been to work for the betterment of all Indigenous people. Considered a National and International Leader in Indigenous Economic and Business Development.

Chief Ma'Lingaan is the brother of Adik Clan Mother Patricia Brunelle-Barker-Lafountain and the Great Uncle of Midegah Ogichidaa.

Gichi-Nokomis Miscozikwe Sherry Cardinal LCSW, DAAETS

Chief Judge of the Tribe presiding over the Tribe's Judicial Body, the Matriarchs Council.

For over 40 years, Miscozikwe, a licensed clinical social worker, specializes in trauma treatment, particularly for military, law enforcement, and indigenous communities. Recognized by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress as a Diplomate, she’s distinguished for her service in these fields.

As a direct lineal descendant of Urbain Bouvier and John Baptiste Bouvier, her heritage is linked to families of 1863 Treaty signer Chief Joseph Montriel, Little Shell III, Metis Chiefs Jean Baptiste Charette, and Joseph Pelletier, among others.

Since her early teens, she's been active in Indigenous activism, mentored by Sachem Elton Greene and Wallace ‘Mad Bear’ Anderson during the Niagara Power Project and Jay Treaty struggles of the 1960s. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she served as the principal social worker for the Six Nations Reserve in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

Ogimaa Midegah Ogichidaa David Taylor-Barker

Co-Chief Executive of the Tribe presiding over the Tribe's Legislative General Council.

Chief Midegah is a Headman in the Adik Doodem, Caribou Clan, by Appointment of Matrilineal Clan Mother Patricia Brunelle-Barker-Lafountain.

A graduate of The American Military University and the University of Utah, Chief Midegah possesses a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership (Magna Cum Laude).

Chief Midegah is a 14 year Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, an Afghanistan Combat Veteran, and recipient of Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal ISAF Afghanistan.