A. The history of the membership of the Wiyot Tribe has been one of a strong relationship with the land. From time immemorial, the Tribe has occupied what is now known as the Southern Humboldt Bay Region and is committed to continuing a strong Tribal presence in the area. It is essential to the development of the Wiyot Tribe and for the protection of the land base that a Tribal ordinance setting forth and clarifying the distribution, status and rights to individual member use of Tribal lands be understood by all people.

B. Tribal land must be used in a way that will not only provide home sites for Tribal members but which will contribute to the economic and cultural development of the Reservation. From time immemorial, members of the Wiyot Tribe have practiced conservation to protect the valuable wildlife and natural resources subject to its jurisdiction from waste and excessive exploitation.

C. As the duly constituted governing body of the Wiyot Tribe, and in accordance with the powers delegated to it under Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution of the Wiyot Tribe, the Wiyot Tribal Council hereby enacts the ordinance codified in this chapter governing the assignment of Tribal lands to individual Tribal members for residential purposes. [Ord. 5-91 Art. I, approved 3/11/91.]