sovereignty

Federated States of Micronesia Constitution

Year

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 military

Preamble: We, the people of Micronesia, exercising our inherent sovereignty, do hereby establish this Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia. With this Constitution, we affirm our common wish to live together in peace and harmony, to preserve the heritage of the past, and to protect the promise of the future. To make one nation of many islands, we respect the diversity of our cultures. Our differences enrich us. The seas bring us together, they do not separate us. Our islands sustain us, our island nation enlarges us and makes us stronger. Our ancestors, who made their homes on these islands, displaced no other people. We, who remain, wish no other home than this. Having known war, we hope for peace. Having been divided, we wish unity. Having been ruled, we seek freedom.

Topics
Citation

Federated States of Micronesia. 2001. "The Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia." Palikir, Micronesia.

Costa Rica Constitution

Year

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 

Topics
Citation

Republic of Costa Rica. 1949. "Political Constitution of the Republic of Costa Rica." San José, Costa Rica.

White Earth Nation Constitution

Year

Location: Minnesota

Population: 19000

Date of Constitution: TBD

Key Facts: Proposed constitution - scheduled for referendum November 2013

Native Nations
Topics
Citation

White Earth Nation. 2013. "Constitution of the White Earth Nation." White Earth, MN. 

Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Constitution

Year

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 other resources, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the power to exercise certain rights of self-government not inconsistent with existing Federal and State laws, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. 

Topics
Citation

Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. 1938. "Constitution and By-Laws of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon As Amended." Warm Springs, OR.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Constitution

Year

Location: North and South Dakota

Population: 16,000 of which 6400 live on the reservation

Date of Constitution: 1959, as amended through 2008

Native Nations
Topics
Citation

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. 1959. "Constitution of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe." Fort Yates, ND. 

Southern Ute Indian Tribe Constitution

Year

Location: Colorado

Population: 12,349 enrolled members, of which 8,611 live on the reservation

Date of Constitution: 1975

Native Nations
Topics
Citation

Southern Ute Indian Tribe. 1975. "Constitution of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation." Ignacio, CO

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation Constitution

Year

Location: North and South Dakota

Population: 13,177

Date of Constitution: as revised and approved in 2006

Native Nations
Topics
Citation

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation. 2006. "Revised Constitution and By-Laws of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation." Agency Village, SD. 

Sipayik Members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe Constitution

Year

Location: Maine, very close to the Canada border

Population: 2148

Date of Constitution: 2003

Native Nations
Topics
Citation

Sipayik Members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. 1990. "Constitution of the Sipayik Members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe." Perry, ME.

Seneca Nation Constitution

Year

Location: New York

Population: 7800

Date of Constitution: 1848, as amended through 1993

Native Nations
Topics
Citation

Seneca Nation of Indians. 1848. "Constitution of the Seneca Nation of Indians of 1848, as amended." Salamanca, NY.