constitutional reform process

Tribe Moves Slowly But Surely Towards a New Constitution

Author
Year

The specter of a constitution has again risen in Cherokee, making its way to committee for the first time in 15 years. Tribal council last week voted to create a constitutional task force, the second step in a long process that will require discussions, debates and, should it reach the final finish line, a vote by the entire tribe on a document. If approved by the majority of the people, it would forever change their way of governing. The idea of crafting a self-governing constitution to replace a state-imposed charter for the tribe has been floated on and off for years, at times more seriously than others. It’s always proved too controversial to succeed...

Resource Type
Citation

Dunn, Colby. "Tribe Moves Slowly But Surely Towards a New Constitution." Smoky Mountain News. July 20, 2011. Article. (http://www.smokymountainnews.com/component/k2/item/4454-tribe-moves-slow..., accessed May 24, 2012)

Blackfeet Constitutional Change Class

Producer
Blackfeet Community College
Year

The summation of all several videos...the complete 6 1/2 hour taping of the discussion of why our current Constitution, Charter, and Plan of Operations have become ineffective for our current times as a people and Piikani Nation for "Blackfeet Government Change" of Joe McKay and Blackfeet Community College "Blackfeet Constitutional Change Class" given to the community and students and faculty of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and Piikani People at large to inform them about the contents of their Constitution, Charter, and Plan of Operations for future use by all Piikani (Blackfeet).

People
Native Nations
Resource Type
Citation

McKay, Joe. Blackfeet Constitutional Change Class. Blackfeet Community College. Browning, Montana. Apr 1, 2015. Video. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZF1FD757FM, accessed March 8, 2023)

 

Small Towns: Red Lake Nation

Producer
WDAZ Television
Year

More power to the people, that's the driving force behind a government overhaul at Red Lake Nation. Tribe officials received a $1.5 million grant to reform their constitution over a span of about three years. We explore just what these changes will mean for the Chippewa Tribe...

People
Citation

Strayer, Kayla. "Small Towns: Red Lake Nation." WDAZ Television. Grand Forks, North Dakota. August 07, 2013. VIdeo. (http://www.wdaz.com/content/small-towns-red-lake-nation, accessed October 7, 2013)

Videos: White Earth Nation Constitutional Reform

Producer
White Earth Nation
Year

As part of its ongoing process of educating the White Earth people and others about White Earth's proposed new constitution, White Earth Nation's Constitutional Education Team produced several videos for White Earth citizens to view in order to gain a better understanding of the key governance changes that the new constitution seeks to make.

Native Nations
Citation

White Earth Nation. "Videos: White Earth Nation Constitutional Reform." White Earth Nation. White Earth, Minnesota. August 2013. Videos. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQS2l_EeUTrF9Gi9J9KUZcw/videos, accessed November 12, 2015)

Truth To Tell: Community Connections - White Earth Constitutional Forum Part II

Producer
KKWE/Niijii Radio
Year

In collaboration with production partner KKWE/Niijii Radio, TruthToTell and CivicMedia/Minnesota traveled west on August 14, 2013, to the White Earth Reservation to air/televise the seventh in our series of LIVE Community Connections forums on critical Minnesota issues. Convened at White Earth's Shooting Star Casino, panelists debated the meaning and impacts of a proposed new home rule constitution to be voted on by White Earth Nation citizens this fall, and fielded questions from members of the audience. This is a burning issue among members of the entire Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT), whose current Constitution governs all Minnesota bands under its jurisdiction...

Native Nations
Citation

KKWE/Niijii Radio. "Truth To Tell: Community Connections - White Earth Constitutional Forum Part II." Truth ToTell and Civic Media Minnesota (hosts: Andy Driscoll and Michelle Alimoradi). KKWE/Niijii Radio. August 14, 2013. Forum. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt8NZM8LdnU, accessed September 6, 2013)

Developing a First Nation Constitution

Producer
National Centre for First Nations Governance
Year

Chiefs, Administrators and Advisors discuss the importance of constitutions and the work involved in developing their own nation's constitution. 

Topics
Citation

"Developing a First Nation Constitution." Bear Image Productions. National Centre for First Nations Governance. Canada. 2011. Film. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c5yNli1Xkk&feature=plcp, accessed April 3, 2023).

Chief Dale Awasis: Thunderchild First Nation

Producer
National Centre for First Nations Governance
Year

Chief Awasis of ThunderChild First Nation talks about traditional governance from before contact, Indian Act governance and how some nations are beginning to combine them into a third type of governance.

People
Native Nations
Resource Type
Topics
Citation

Awasis, Dale. "Chief Dale Awasis, ThunderChild First Nation." National Centre for First Nations Governance. Canada. 2012. Film. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzCBVd7ovjk&feature=plcp, accessed March 22, 2023).

Tsawwassen First Nation: Law and Policy

Producer
National Centre for First Nations Governance
Year

Tsawwassen's story about creating laws and policies after their historic treaty signing provides important insight for all First Nations who wish to develop laws and policy. 

Native Nations
Citation

"Tsawwassen First Nation: Law and Policy." Bear Images Productions. National Centre for First Nations Governance. Canada. 2010. Film. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej895dV0Quc&feature=plcp, accessed September 18, 2012).

Nisga'a First Nation Circle of Governance

Producer
National Centre for First Nations Governance
Year

People of the Nisga'a Nation discuss custom and tradition before the Indian Act. They tell how they made the move back to traditional ways through strategic planning and abandoned oppressive ways of the Indian Act.

Native Nations
Topics
Citation

"Nisga'a First Nation Circle of Governance." National Centre for First Nations Governance. Canada. Film. 2011. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmBtq9YIXEA&feature=plcp, accessed September 18, 2012).

Gila River Indian Community Tribal Constitutional Reform Project

Year

The Gila River Constitutional Reform Task Force created this presentation in conjunction with its comprehensive public information campaign to educate community members about Gila River's recent reform process and the importance of a constitution created by the community. 

Resource Type
Citation

Gila River Indian Community. "Gila River Indian Community Tribal Constitutional Reform Project." Gila River Indian Community. Sacaton, Arizona. 2008. Presentation. (http://gilariver.org/pdfs/5A_Constitution_PowerPoint062508.pdf, accessed March 11, 2014)