Indigenous Governance Database
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Leroy Shingoitewa: Self-Governance with Hopi Values
Leroy Shingoitewa, member of the bear clan, and served as chairman of the Hopi tribe and since January 2016, has served as a councilman representing the village of Upper Moenkopi. He recalls the intricacies of governing while maintiang Hopi values and traditions.
Michelle Deshong: Australian Aboriginal Methods of Self-Governance
Michelle Deshong draws her connections to Kuku Yalanji and Butchulla nations. She is a 2015 recipient of the Australian-American Fulbright Indigenous Professional Scholarship that funded her residency at the Native Nations Institute housed within the Udall Center for Studies and Public…
Noelani Goodyear Ka'opua: The ongoing journey of Hawai'i sovereignty
Dr. Noelani Goodyear Ka'opua from the Indigenous Politics Faculty within the department of political science at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa speaks about the particulars of handling the issue of soverignty in Hawai’i.
Kenneth Hall: Rising to the challenge of self-governance
Councilman Kenneth Hall was elected to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation tribal business council in 2012 and represents the largest population in the north segment. Councilman Hall is Hidatsa, of the Knife Clan, and great-grandson of Chief Dragswolf, the last chief of the Hidatsa people. Hall…
Verna Bailey: Making Self-Governance Work for Standing Rock
Former councilwoman Verna Bailey of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe representing the Long Soldier District reveals the ins and outs of working with changes in a tribal council government. Her experiences offer insight into the history of self-governance for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Carwyn Jones: Maori paths for constitutional reform
Professor Carwyn Jones of Ngāti Kahungunu descent is a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington and Co-Editor of the Māori Law Review offers his testimonials on the political landscape for constitutional reform for Māori and other indigenous people.
Klamath Tribes: Preamble Excerpt
PREAMBLE: We, the People of the Klamath and Modoc Tribes and the Yahooskin Band of Snake Indians, [hereafter referred to as the Klamath Tribe(s)] do hereby establish and adopt this Constitution for the government of our General Council in order to recognize our Tribes for the continued preservation…
Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians: Governmental Structure Excerpt
ARTICLE VI. ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT A. Purpose, Fundamental Rights. We, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, speak through this document to assert that we are a distinct nation of Anishinaabek of North America that possess the right to: self-determination; freely determine our…
Overcoming the Politics of Reform: The Story of the 1999 Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Constitutional Convention
A pressing international challenge is developing processes of constitution-making that manage the politics of reform and produce legitimate and effective constitutions. This challenge is of special concern for numerous American Indian nations that have been embroiled in dual governments and…
Chairman Dave Archambault II: Laying the Foundation for Tribal Leadership and Self-governance
Chairman Archambault’s wealth and breadth of knowledge and experience in the tribal labor and workforce development arena is unparalleled. He currently serves as the chief executive officer of one of the largest tribes in the Dakotas, leading 500 tribal government employees and overseeing an array…
Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina: Recall, Removal, & Vacancies Excerpt
Article IV. Recall. 1. The power to recall any elected official of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina who is in the second calendar year or later in his or her term is specifically reserved for the general membership of the Tribe. 2. A recall election shall be held when a petition…
Kaw Nation: Initiative & Referendum Excerpt
ARTICLE XII: INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM Section 1. The citizens of the Kaw Nation reserve unto themselves the power of initiative and referendum. Section 2. Initiative. Any issue shall be submitted for an initiative election pursuant to this section upon receipt of a petition containing…
Nez Perce Tribe: Legislative Functions Excerpt
ARTICLE VIII POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE NEZ PERCE TRIBAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Section 1. The NPTEC shall have the following powers, to be exercised in accordance with this Constitution and with the applicable statutes of the United States. (A) To represent the Tribe in negotiations with…
Hopi Tribe: Governmental Structure Excerpt
ARTICLE III-ORGANIZATION SECTION 1. The Hopi Tribe is a union of self-governing villages sharing common interests and working for the common welfare of all. It consists of the following recognized villages: First Mesa (consolidated villages of Walpi, Shitchumovi, and Tewa). Mishongnovi.…
Pueblo of Laguna: Elections Excerpt
ARTICLE III - THE PUEBLO COUNCIL, STAFF OFFICERS AND SETTLEMENTS Section 1. - The Pueblo Council. The governing power of the Pueblo shall be vested in the Pueblo of Laguna Council. The Pueblo Council, functioning as one (1) governmental entity, shall be composed of the following officials…
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate: Elections Excerpt
ARTICLE V - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS SECTION 1. The first election of the Council under this Revised Constitution shall be called, held and supervised by the present Council within one hundred twenty (120) days after its approval. Successful candidates at this first election shall assume…
Haida Nation: Jurisdiction/Territory Excerpt
ARTICLE 1 HAIDA TERRITORIES A1.S1 The Territories of the Haida Nation include the entire lands of Haida Gwaii, the surrounding waters, sub-surface and the air space. The waters include the entire Dixon Entrance, half of the Hecate Straits, halfway to Vancouver Island and Westward into the abyssal…
Westbank First Nation: Jurisdiction/Territory Excerpt
2. Aboriginal Rights and Title 2.1 Westbank is part of the Okanagan Nation which has occupied and benefited from Okanagan traditional territory since time immemorial. 2.2 Westbank has never ceded, surrendered, or in any way relinquished aboriginal title and will continue to assert its interests and…
Yurok Tribe: Jurisdiction/Territory Excerpt
ARTICLE I - TERRITORY , JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY SECTION 1 - Ancestral Lands The Ancestral Lands of the Yurok Tribe extend unbroken along the Pacific Ocean coast (including usual and customary offÂshore fishing areas) from Damnation Creek, its northern boundary, to the southern…
Tohono O'odham Nation: Jurisdiction/Territory Excerpt
ARTICLE I - JURISDICTION Section 1. The sovereign powers, authority and jurisdiction of the Tohono O'odham Nation and of its government shall extend to all lands within the boundaries of the Tohono O'odham Nation established by Executive Orders: December 12, 1882, modified June 17, 1909 (Gila…