Indigenous Governance
Database
constitution
Jim Gray: Making Change Happen
Former Principal Chief James Gray of the Osage Nation makes a guest speaker appearance to the January In Tucson class “Making Change Happen”. In Chief Gray’s own words, he shares his direct experiences with indigenous governance for the Osage people and gives a larger context to the historic…
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez: Native Nation Building for the Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez visited the University of Arizona and gave his views on making governance work for people in he Navajo Nation. In this brief interview with NNI the President offered his thoughts on Native Nation Building and the way it is utilized for the Navajo nation as well…
Comanche Nation Constitution
The Comanche Nation is located in Oklahoma with a population of 14,700 people. The constitution was enacted in 1966, and amended in 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1994, and 2002. PREAMBLE: Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, we, the members of the Comanche Nation with faith in the purposes…
Cherokee Nation Constitution
Cherokee Nation is spread across 14 counties in northeastern Oklahoma with a population of 300,000 people. The constitution was enacted in 2003. Cherokee Nation allows citizens who live outside the territory to vote in elections and be represented on the council. Preamble: We, the People of the…
Carcross/Tagish First Nation Constitution
Located in the Yukon Territory, Canada, the Carcross/Tagish First Nation has a population of 609 people, and their constitution was enacted in 2005. MISSION STATEMENT: The Carcross/Tagish First Nation is mandated to protect the environment, health and wellness, education and aboriginal rights of…
Akiachak Native Community Constitution
The Akiachak Native Community is located in Southwestern Alaska with a population of 627 people. Their constitution was ratified in 1948. Preamble: We, a group of Eskimos having the common bond of living together in Akiachak, Territory of Alaska, in order to have better life and greater security,…
Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Constitution
The Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi is spread across New England in the U.S. and the Quebec and Maritimes regions in Canada. It has a population of 12,000 and it is not recognized by the U.S. Government. The nation's constitution was enacted in 2002. The Abenaki People of the St. Francis/Sokoki Band…
Costa Rica Constitution
Location: Central America Population: 4.6 million Form of Government: Democratic Republic Date of Constitution: 2011 Key Facts: Has large population of residents who are not citizens
Bolivia Constitution
Bolivia is located in South America with a population of 10.5 million people. The constitution was enacted in 2009. PREAMBLE: In ancient times mountains arose, rivers spread out from one place to another, lakes were formed. Our Amazonia, our swamps, our highlands and our plains and valleys were…
Afghanistan Constitution
Afghanistan is located on the edge of Middle East, bordering Asia, with a population of 31 million people and an Islamic Republic form of government. The constitution was ratified in 2004. Preamble: In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and…
Yurok Tribe Constitution
Location: California Population: 6,000 Date of Constitution: 1993
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Constitution
Location: Oregon Population: 4,000 Date of Constitution: 1938, as amended 1992 Preamble: We, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, in order to establish a more responsible and effective organization to promote our general welfare, conserve and develop our lands and…
Coquille Indian Tribe Constitution
Location: Oregon Population: 968 Date of Constitution: 1991, as amended 2008 Preamble: Our ancestors since the beginning of time have lived and died on the Coquille aboriginal lands and waters. The Coquille Indian Tribe is and has always been a sovereign self-governing power dedicated to: 1.…
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon Constitution
Location: Oregon Population: 4800 Date of Constitution: 1979, as amended 1994 and 2008 Purposes: Oregon 4800 1979, as amended 1994 and 2008 We, the members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, being a federally recognized Indian tribe and the political successor in interest to…
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Constitution
Location: Montana Population: 7,000 Date of Constitution: 1935 Preamble: We, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, Montana, in order to establish a more responsible organization, promote our general welfare, conserve and develop our lands and resources, and secure…
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Constitution
Citizen Potawatomi Nation is located in Oklahoma with a population of 29,000 people. The constitution was enacted in 1938 and amended in 1985 and 2007. Preamble: We, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, sometimes designated as the Potawatomi Tribe of Oklahoma, in furtherance of our inherent powers of…
Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana Constitution
The Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana is located in Southern Louisiana with a population of 950 people. The constitution was enacted in 1970 and amended in 2009 and 2010. Preamble: We, the Chitimacha Indians of Louisiana, desiring to establish an organization for our common welfare and benefit, do…
Chilkat Indian Village Constitution
The Chilkat Indian Village is located in Southeastern Alaska with a population of 140 people. The constitution was enacted in 2006. The village was involved in a famous cultural property case about Whale House rain screen and totem poles. Preamble: We, a sovereign community of Tlingit Indians…
Chickasaw Nation Constitution
Chickasaw Nation is located in Oklahoma with a population of 49,000 people. The constitution was enacted in 1983 and amended in 2002. Preamble: We, the people of the Chickasaw Nation, acknowledging with gratitude the grace and beneficence of God, in permitting us to make choice of our own form of…
Blackfeet Nation Constitution
The Blackfeet Nation is located in Northern Montana at the Canadian border. It has a population of 16,500 people and the tribe was artificially divided by the U.S.-Canadian border. The constitution was enacted in 1934 and amended in 1962, 1978, and 1998. PREAMBLE: We, the adult members of the…