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Indigenous Governance Database

separation of powers

Tribal Executive Branches: A Path to Tribal Constitutional Reform

Tribal Executive Branches: A Path to Tribal Constitutional Reform
Tribal Executive Branches: A Path to Tribal Constitutional Reform
In the modern era, tribes have made tremendous gains in retaining — and reclaiming — their sovereignty. But despite this external progress, some tribes have struggled to overcome internal governance challenges. 2 × One such challenge is presented by “IRA constitutions”: those constitutions either...
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Tribal Constitutions

Tribal Constitutions
Tribal Constitutions
Modern tribal nations pass laws, exercise criminal jurisdiction, and enjoy extensive powers when it comes to self-governance and matters of sovereignty. And of 566 tribal nations, just under half have adopted written constitutions. In the American tradition, a constitution limits the power yielded...
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Terry Janis: White Earth Nation Constitution Reform

Terry Janis: White Earth Nation Constitution Reform
Terry Janis: The White Earth Nation Constitutional Reform Process
In this lively and far-reaching discussion with NNI's Ian Record, Terry Janis (Oglala Lakota), former project manager of the White Earth Nation Constitution Reform Project, provides an overview of the citizen education and engagement campaign that preceded White Earth's historic vote to ratify a...
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Floyd "Buck" Jourdain: Red Lake Nation Constitutional Reform Initiative

Floyd "Buck" Jourdain: Red Lake Nation Constitutional Reform Initiative
Floyd "Buck" Jourdain: Constitutional Reform and Leadership at the Red Lake Nation
Floyd "Buck" Jourdain, Chairman of the Red Lake Nation from 2004 to 2014, discusses his nation's constitutional reform effort and the supporting role he played in helping to get the effort off of the ground. He also talks about how comprehensive constitutional reform will empower his nation's...
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GNG breakout 3

GNG breakout 3
Good Native Governance Break Out 3: Tribal Constitutional Revitalization
UCLA School of Law "Good Native Governance" conference presenters, panelists and participants Melissa L. Tatum, Devon Lee Lomayesva, and Jill Doerfler discuss constitutional reform efforts. Melissa describes the purpose of consitutions. Using her own Nation's experience, Devon discusses the Iipay...
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As old ways faded on reservations, tribal power shifted

As old ways faded on reservations, tribal power shifted
As old ways faded on reservations, tribal power shifted
Long before the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act transformed tribal government, before nepotism and retaliation became plagues upon reservation life, there were nacas . Headsmen, the Lakota and Dakota called them. Men designated from their tiospayes , or extended families, to represent their clans...
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'We are getting stronger'

'We are getting stronger'
'We are getting stronger'
An economic, political and cultural renaissance is underway throughout Indian Country in the United States. It’s been going on for nearly a quarter-century. Whereas in the 1980s, economic growth on Indian reservations lagged far behind the rate of the U.S. economy, through the booming 1990s and the...
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Jill Doerfler: Constitutional Reform at the White Earth Nation

Jill Doerfler: Constitutional Reform at the White Earth Nation
Jill Doerfler: Constitutional Reform at the White Earth Nation
In this in-depth interview with NNI's Ian Record, Anishinaabe scholar Jill Doerfler discusses the White Earth Nation's current constitutional reform effort, and specifically the extensive debate that White Earth constitutional delegates engaged in regarding changing the criteria for White Earth...
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White Earth Nation Adopts New Constitution

White Earth Nation Adopts New Constitution
White Earth Nation Adopts New Constitution
In a historic vote, on November 19, 2013, the White Earth Nation in northwestern Minnesota became the first member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) to adopt a new constitution. Of the 3,492 ballots counted, the vote was 2,780 in favor and 712 opposed, a 79 percent approval. Since the ballots...
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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...
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