N.Y. Indian Law § 109

§ 109. Officers of tribes. The chiefs or headmen, the subchiefs and\nclerk of the Saint Regis tribe in office when this section takes effect\nshall continue in office until the expiration of the terms for which\nthey were elected. Their successors shall be elected in the manner\nprovided for by this article, and shall have all the powers conferred by\nthis chapter upon such officers. A subchief shall have all the power and\nshall perform all the duties of the chief to whom he is elected as a\nsubchief, in case of such chief's inability to act for any reason\nwhatsoever.\n