Jump to navigation

The University of Arizona Wordmark Line Logo White
Home
  • Indigenous Governance Database
  • CONSTITUTIONS RESOURCE CENTER
  • Home
  • Key Resources
    • Conferences, Seminars & Symposia
    • NNI and Harvard Project Research
    • Great Tribal Leaders of Modern Times
    • Good Native Governance
    • Indigenous Leaders Fellows
    • Native Nation Building TV
    • Leading Native Nations
    • Emerging Leaders
  • NNI Tools
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • My Library
  • Login
Indigenous Governance Database

Honoring Nations All-Stars Profile: Constitutional Reform Citizen Potawatomi Nation

  • Resource
  • Details
  • Citation

Not Related

Year: 
2018

HONORING NATIONS ALL-STARS PROFILE: Constitutional Reform Citizen Potawatomi Nation

HONORING NATIONS ALL-STARS PROFILE: Constitutional Reform Citizen Potawatomi Nation
HONORING NATIONS ALL-STARS PROFILE: Constitutional Reform Citizen Potawatomi Nation

Forced relocations, loss of lands, and the economic necessity of moving away from home and community are common histories in Indian Country. Yet, despite these tragic circumstances, tribes continue to assert their sovereignty in order to improve the lives of their people. One of these remarkable stories comes from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN). In 2007, tired of bandaging a failing constitution that did not meet the cultural needs of the Nation, CPN citizens ratified a new governing document that resulted in a significant transfer of power and realigned the constitution to Citizen Potawatomi culture. The Nation moved from a five-member business committee with representatives only from Oklahoma to a sixteen-member legislative body with regional representatives for all CPN citizens, wherever they reside. In addition, it established checks and balances and further clarified roles and responsibilities within the governing system. Perhaps most important of all, it strengthened the Nation’s self- governance by removing the clause that required the US Secretary of the Interior to approve future changes to CPN’s constitution.

Share
Useful Links: 
Harvard Project Exhibit on CPN Reform
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Homepage

Honoring Nations All-Stars Profile: Constitutional Reform Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Cambridge, Massachusetts. 2013.

Related Resources: 

White Earth Nation Constitutional Reform Workbook

White Earth Nation Constitutional Reform Workbook
White Earth Nation Constitutional Reform Workbook
The core purpose of this Constitution is to take action and directly express, through that action, native cultural sovereignty. This workbook is designed to help the citizens of the White Earth Nation to understand their constitution. Through this effort and through your understanding of the...
Read more

Special White Earth Constitutional Reform Issue

Special White Earth Constitutional Reform Issue
Special White Earth Constitutional Reform Issue
As the White Earth Nation prepares for a referendum election to approve or reject the proposed constitution, the Reform Committee has implemented a series of citizen engagement activities that includes a special issue of the tribal newspaper to inform citizens of the election date, proposed changes...
Read more

Potawatomi Tribes Receive $4.2 Million Children’s Health Grant

Potawatomi Tribes Receive $4.2 Million Children’s Health Grant
Potawatomi Tribes Receive $4.2 Million Children's Health Grant
Three Potawatomi tribes in Michigan have received a grant of almost $4.2 million from the federal government to help promote children’s wellness through a five-year Project LAUNCH program. The federally-recognized Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and Gun Lake...
Read more

IGD Database Search

Enter a search term

Quick Links

  • What's New at the Native Nations Institute?
  • Indigenous Governance Program
  • NNI Radio
  • US Indigenous Data Sovereignty Network

Other Useful Resources

Native Nation Building TV: "Tribal Service Delivery: Meeting Citizens' Needs"
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Ho-Chunk, Inc. CEO Receives Award from U.S. Department of Commerce Agency
Why Treaties Matter: Video Gallery
Gregory Cajete: Rebuilding Sustainable Indigenous Communities: Applying Native Science
  • About
  • NNI Hub
  • Key Resources
  • Constitutions Resource Center
  • Indigenous Governance Database
  • Login

The Native Nations Institute and The University of Arizona make efforts to ensure the information presented is accurate and up to date, but make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the content contained on this website.  This website's content is the opinion of the specific author, not statements of advice, opinion, or information from The University of Arizona, and contains links to third party sites.  The University of Arizona is not responsible for and neither approves nor endorses third party website content.  Information presented on this website and the registered trademarks, service marks, wordmarks, and logos of the Native Nations Institute and the University of Arizona may not be reproduced without express written permission. 

The University of Arizona respects intellectual property and privacy rights.  Please refer to The University of Arizona's Copyright Notice and Information Security & Privacy policies for more information.


© 2022 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona.