(1) The Cowlitz Indian Tribe retains full governmental authority, consistent with the trusteeship of the United States, including the authority to commercially utilize its resources for the economic benefit of the Tribe.

(2) This chapter creates an agency and governmental instrumentality of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, separate from other branches of the Tribal government but accountable to the Tribe’s governing body, with the authority to exercise and implement governmental and proprietary powers over development, construction, operation, management, promotion, and financing of economic development initiatives, projects, businesses, and investments. These powers are hereby declared by the Tribe to be of the same nature as all other Tribal powers, pursuant to the Constitution of the Tribe. The Tribe adopts this chapter in order to meet the following independent goals: (A) to develop Tribal resources to obtain the highest value and best use for those resources; (B) to provide a means to raise the standard of living, improve both physical and spiritual health, and increase educational opportunities for all Tribal members; and (C) to enter into and take advantage of business and commercial opportunities available to the Tribe. [Res. 23-139, 2023.]