governance reform

Our Journey - Our Choice - Our Future: Maa-nulth Treaty Legacy

Producer
New Journey Productions
Year

On April 1, 2011, the Maa-nulth First Nations completed what has been a long journey to self-determination. It was an historic day for all, and a day of celebration for the Huu-ay-aht, Ka:’yu:’k't’h/Che:k’tles7et’h, Toquaht, Uchucklesaht, and Ucluelet people. New Journey Productions worked with the Maa-nulth First Nations to create this “welcoming video” for the celebrations.

Resource Type
Citation

New Journey Productions. "Our Journey - Our Choice - Our Future." Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada. 2011. Film. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQeCOugKlJg, accessed September 19, 2016).

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).

Westbank First Nation Circle of Governance

Producer
National Centre for First Nations Governance
Year

The people of the Westbank First Nation share the history and process taken toward self-governance and how it has transformed their community.

Native Nations
Topics
Citation

"Westbank First Nation Circle of Governance." Bear Image Productions. National Centre for First Nations Governance. Canada. 2011. Film. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-34-m6J2h4&feature=plcp, accessed September 18, 2012).

Navajo Nation Constitutional Feasibility and Government Reform Project

Author
Year

This paper will review three important elements related to the constitutional feasibility and government reform of the Navajo Nation. The first section will outline the foundational principles related to constitutionalism and ask whether constitionalism and the nation-state are appropriate functions for the Navajo Nation to pursue, given its historical norms, values, principles, and given the passage of the Foundational Laws.

The second section will specifically look at historic notions of governance and power and how that relates to the doctrine of the separation of powers in the Navajo Nation. The section describes how the separation of powers currently enshrined in the Navajo Nation Code is different from the actual practice of the separation of political powers. It suggests that the compartmentalization of powers into agencies will actually hinder the interests of the people, and will be less culturally valid.

The third section is a treatise on the practice of judicial review in the Navajo Nation and suggests that it paramount to government reform. The de facto separation of powers within judicial review is highly respected.

The last section details recommendations for government reform.

Native Nations
Resource Type
Citation

Yazzie, Robert, Moroni Benally, Andrew Curley, Nikke Alex, James Singer, & Amber Crotty. "Navajo Nation Constitutional Feasibility and Government Reform Project." Diné Policy Institute. Diné College. Tsaile, Arizona. September 2, 2008. Paper. (http://www.navajo-nsn.gov/News%20Releases/Joshua%20Lavar%20Butler/Oct08/..., accessed March 4, 2014) 

The Will of the People: Citizenship in the Osage Nation

Author
Year

This teaching case tells the story of Tony, one of nine Osage government reform commissioners placed in charge of determining the "will of the people" in reforming the government of the Osage Nation. Because of Congressional law the Osage Nation had been forced into an alien form of government for a hundred years. Recent legislation has reversed this and has recognized the Osage Nation's sovereign right to determine its own citizenship and form of government. As part of this case, students will analyze the highly charged debates over citizenship that took place during Osage community meetings. From these perspectives students will be asked to write referendum questions covering the central issues at stake with Osage citizenship. This case provides an opportunity for students to explore a range of issues including American Indian citizenship and sovereignty, the power and danger inherent in racial identity, and the process of community-based reform...

Native Nations
Resource Type
Citation

Dennison, Jean. "The Will of the People: Citizenship in the Osage Nation." Enduring Legacies Native Cases Initiative, The Evergreen State College. Olympia, Washington. 2007. Teaching Case Study. (https://nativecases.evergreen.edu/collection/cases/will-of-the-people, accessed February 13, 2024)

Best Practices Case Study (Transparency and Fairness): Westbank First Nation

Year

The Westbank First Nation is located in south-central British Columbia in the Okanagan Valley. In the mid-1980s, conflicts within the Westbank First Nation council created significant animosity among community members. The outcome was the Hall Inquiry which made recommendations around strengthening governance accountability and certainty of jurisdiction...

Native Nations
Resource Type
Citation

National Centre for First Nations Governance. "Best Practices Case Study (Transparency and Fairness): Westbank First Nation." A Report for the National Centre for First Nations Governance. The National Centre for First Nations Governance. Canada. June 2009. Case Study. (https://fngovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/TF_Westbank.pdf, accessed March 8, 2023)