Indigenous Governance Database
legal infrastructure
Cherokee Nation '99 Constitution Incorporated Older Ideas
Before the Cherokee Nation 1999 Constitution was ratified by voters in 2003 and recognized by the federal government in 2006, the tribe was governed under different laws that required extensive input and oversight by Cherokees when they decided to rewrite the document in 1995. Under the 1975…
Indigenize the Internet: How to close the digital divide by respecting tribal sovereignty by Darrah Blackwater
Broadband internet and the tools necessary to access it are critical for economic development, education and employment opportunities, and public health and safety for tribal nations and their citizens. Broadband internet is an essential utility, especially during this global pandemic, which is…
Constitution proposed for Cherokee
Cherokee voters will have the chance to give their nation a long-awaited constitution if Tribal Council approves a referendum question proposed for the September ballot. “Right now we don’t have a constitution. We have a charter, and a charter is for an organization, a corporation or something of…
Kialegee Tribal Town Constitution
Location: Near city of Wetumka in central Oklahoma Population: 700 Date of Constitution: 1941 Date of Constitution: Originally part of Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Key First Nation Constitution
Location: Saskatechewan, Canada Population: 1114 Date of Constitution: 2004
Kaw Nation Constitution
Location: North central Okahoma Population: 3,126 Date of Constitution: 2011
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Constitution
Location: British Columbia, Canada Population: 684 Date of Constitution: 2007
Gitanyow Nation Constitution
Location: British Columbia Population: 802 Date of Constitution: 2009
Crow Tribe Constitution
Location: Montana Population: 12,000 Date of Constitution: 2001 Preamble: We, the adult members of the Crow Tribe of Indians located on the Crow Indian Reservation as established by the Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868, in an effort to enforce and exercise our treaty rights, our inherent…
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…
Ireland Constitution
Location: Europe Population: 6.3 Million Form of Government: Democracy, uses parliamentary system Date of Constitution: 1937, amended most recently in 2012 Key Facts: Ireland fought for and won its independence from England in 1922, although the island split into two countries, with Northern…
Guatemala Constitution
Location: Central America Population: 15 million Form of Government: Representative Democracy Date of Constitution: 1985, amended 1993
Gabon Constitution
Location: West Africa Population: 1.6 Million Form of Government: Democratic Republic Date of Constitution: 1991, amended 1994, 1995, 1997
Federated States of Micronesia Constitution
Location: Group of islands in western Pacific Ocean Population: 106,500 Form of Government: Constitutional government in free association with USA Date of Constitution: 1978, amended 1990 & 2001 Key Facts: Pacific Islands were often the site of weapons and other testing by governments and…
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…
Yavapai-Apache Nation Constitution
Location: Arizona Population: 2300 Date of Constitution: 1936, as amended 1947
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…