Elected Governance
The Meherrin Indian Tribe is governed under its Constitution and Bylaws through an elected form of government. The authority of Tribal leadership comes from the General Body, the enrolled members of the Tribe, who elect officers and council members to serve the people.
Please Note:
Pursuant to the Order of the Superior Court of Hertford County entered on May 12, 2026, elections for the Tribal Council and other elected Tribal offices shall be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws as soon as practicable and shall be completed no later than November 8, 2026.
Authority of the General Body
The General Body consists of the enrolled members of the Meherrin Indian Tribe. Under the Constitution and Bylaws, the General Body holds important rights and responsibilities, including the election of Tribal officers and council members, consideration of enrollment recommendations, and other matters reserved to the membership. Elected leaders serve on behalf of the people and are responsible for carrying out their duties in accordance with the governing documents.
Elected Tribal Chief
The Elected Tribal Chief serves as an elected officer of the Meherrin Indian Tribe and carries out the responsibilities assigned by the Constitution and Bylaws. The office exists to serve the General Body, from which its authority is derived, and the Chief remains accountable to the membership for the faithful execution of those duties. Working in cooperation with the Elected Tribal Council, the Chief exercises the authority delegated by the General Body in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws to promote the welfare, governance, and continued progress of the Tribe on behalf of the people.
Elected Chief : Wayne Melton
Wayne Melton serves as the Elected Tribal Chief of the Meherrin Indian Tribe. As Chief, he carries out the responsibilities assigned by the Constitution and Bylaws and serves the General Body, from which the office derives its authority. The Chief remains accountable to the membership for the faithful execution of the duties entrusted to that office and is responsible for promoting the welfare, governance, and continued progress of the Tribe.
Current Term of Office
Pursuant to the Order of the Superior Court of Hertford County entered on May 12, 2026, Wayne Melton was reinstated to the office of Tribal Chief. Under the terms of the Court’s Order, he shall continue to serve until May 31, 2027, at which time an election for the office of Tribal Chief is to be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws.
Please Note:
Pursuant to the Order of the Superior Court of Hertford County entered on May 12, 2026, elections for the Tribal Council and other elected Tribal offices shall be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws as soon as practicable and shall be completed no later than November 8, 2026.
Interim Council
ELECTED COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON
ELECTED COUNCILOR
ELECTED COUNCILOR
ELECTED COUNCILOR
ELECTED COUNCILOR
ELECTED COUNCILOR
ELECTED COUNCILOR
Treasurer
Secretary
Tribe Administrator
Traditional Governance
Traditional Governance / Clan System
Long before the adoption of a written Constitution and Bylaws, the Meherrin (Kauwetsʔa·ka – People of the Water) governed themselves through a traditional system based upon clans, kinship, and consensus. The Clan System served as the foundation of Meherrin society, providing leadership, maintaining social order, preserving cultural traditions, and strengthening the bonds between families and future generations.
Today, the Meherrin Indian Tribe operates under its Constitution and Bylaws through an elected form of government. At the same time, the Tribe continues to recognize the cultural and historical importance of its traditional Clan System as an essential part of Meherrin identity and heritage.
The preservation and revitalization of the Clan System reflects the Tribe’s ongoing commitment to honoring the wisdom of its ancestors while strengthening the language, culture, and traditions that define the Meherrin people.