The authority of the Miccosukee Tribe is vested in the Miccosukee General Council, which is composed of adult members 18 years of age or older. The officers of the General Council consist of the Chairman, Assistant Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Lawmaker. This group is also known as the Business Council. The officers are elected and seated during November and hold office for a term of four years. The responsibilities of the General Council consist of primarily dealing with tribal matters relating to membership, government, law and order, education, welfare, recreation and fiscal disbursement. The Business Council has the responsibility for the development and management of resources and the day-to-day business activities of the Tribe. It is a combination of traditional tribal government and modern management that form the organizational structure of the present day Miccosukee Tribe.

On March 6, 1971, the Miccosukee Corporation was formed to receive and administer funds from private foundations as well as county, state and federal agencies for a variety of educational, employment, housing and social programs for members of the Miccosukee community. The officers of the Corporation consist of a President, Secretary and a Treasurer. The Chairman of the General Council is also the President and the principal executive of the Corporation.

Legal Status

On December 7, 1961, the Tribal Council of the Miccosukee Indians adopted its present Constitution and Bylaws. After years of negotiations with the U.S. Government, the Constitution and Bylaws were approved by the Department of the Interior on January 11, 1962 , thus legally establishing the Miccosukee' s tribal existence and their sovereign, domestic dependent nation status with the United States Government.

This unique government-to-government status establishes the Miccosukee Tribe as a distinct political entity within the U.S. Federal System. While this relationship predates the U.S. Constitution, it is reaffirmed by the U.S.Government in thousands of treaties, statutes, court decisions and executive orders, as well as in the U.S. Constitution.

Miccosukee General Council

Chairman Billy Cypress

Assistant Chairman Jasper Nelson

Secretary Andrew Bert

Treasurer Max Billie

Lawmaker William Osceola