Indigenous Governance Database
sovereignty
Determi-Nation podcast with Darrah Blackwater
Determi-Nation is a series of conversations with Indigenous people doing incredible things to strengthen sovereignty and self-determination in their communities.
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…
Herminia Frias: Working Toward Effective Native Leadership
For years at Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Herminia Frias has remained a consistent leader in tribal government. She became the first woman elected Chairwoman and youngest to serve the position. After a contentious term with the tribal council, she was removed from office but then immediately returned to…
Sovereign Nations: Giving Visibility
Tribal nations have always had formal ways of self-governing. Take a closer look at local Tribes exercising their inherent rights to land, culture, and self-governance in a contemporary context. Produced in partnership with TPT-Twin Cities PBS and producer/director Missy Whiteman. Special thanks to…
Honoring Nations All-Stars Profile: Constitutional Reform Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Forced relocations, loss of lands, and the economic necessity of moving away from home and community are common histories in Indian Country. Yet, despite these tragic circumstances, tribes continue to assert their sovereignty in order to improve the lives of their people. One of these remarkable…
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…
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…
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
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…
Ho-Chunk Nation Constitution
Location: Wisconsin Population: 6563 Date of Constitution: 1994, as amended 2000 and 2009
Haida Nation Constitution
Location: Haida Gwaii Population: 4,000 Date of Constitution: 2010
Grand Ronde Community of Oregon Constitution
Location: In Yamhill and Polk Counties, Oregon Population: 5200 Date of Constitution: 2002 Key Facts: Terminated in 1956; restored in 1983
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Constitution
Location: On the upper portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan Population: 4102 Date of Constitution: 1988 Key Facts: One of the first casino tribes
Douglas Indian Association Constitution
Location: Alaska Population: 600 Date of Constitution: 1941 Presamble: We, a group of Indians having a common bond of occupation in Arts and Crafts, and the Fishing Industry, including the catching, processing and sale of fish, and the building of fish boats and equipment, belonging to Douglas,…
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.…