Indigenous Governance Database
Constitutions and Constitutions Excerpts
![Carcross/Tagish First Nation Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_2.jpg?itok=ezwDaHl-)
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…
![Village of Bill Moore's Slough Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_2_19.jpg?itok=QVeHn7cw)
Village of Bill Moore’s Slough Constitution
Location: Southwestern Alaska Population: 83 Date of Constitution: 1988
![Akiachak Native Community Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_2%5B1%5D_0.jpg?itok=lY8Sz0ji)
Akiachak Native Community Constitution
The Akiachak Native Community is located in Southwestern Alaska with a population of 627 people. Their constitution was ratified in 1948. Preamble: We, a group of Eskimos having the common bond of living together in Akiachak, Territory of Alaska, in order to have better life and greater security,…
![Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_2%5B1%5D.jpg?itok=YuLZEXhT)
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…
![Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_2_10.jpg?itok=UkZlHloZ)
Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Constitution
Location: North Dakota Population: 15,309 Date of Constitution: 1936 Key Facts: Also known as The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation
![Vanuatu Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_51.jpg?itok=Q2AtNWaH)
Vanuatu Constitution
Location: Island nation in South Pacific Ocean Population: 243,000 Form of Government: Parliamentary Democracy Date of Constitution: 1980, amended 1981 and 1983
![United States of America Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_1_2.jpg?itok=Q1z7eSfZ)
United States of America Constitution
Location: North America Population: 314 million Form of Government: Representative Democracy Date of Constitution: 1789, amended most recently in 1992 Key Facts: the Constitution is not the original governing document for the U.S.; it was adopted when the Articles of…
![Qatar Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_39.jpg?itok=jpcDE0H2)
Qatar Constitution
Location: Middle East Population: 6.3 Million Form of Government: Constitutional Monarchy Date of Constitution: 2003
![Ireland Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_25.jpg?itok=HBcHrEmU)
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…
![Guatemala Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_23.jpg?itok=eRyJ1aO0)
Guatemala Constitution
Location: Central America Population: 15 million Form of Government: Representative Democracy Date of Constitution: 1985, amended 1993
![Gabon Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_17.jpg?itok=JA871vU2)
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](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_14.jpg?itok=5ArLlb_R)
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…
![Costa Rica Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_11.jpg?itok=GcGZkcby)
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](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_1.jpg?itok=QRjS99fc)
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…
![Afghanistan Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1%5B1%5D.jpg?itok=FtDlZxF6)
Afghanistan Constitution
Afghanistan is located on the edge of Middle East, bordering Asia, with a population of 31 million people and an Islamic Republic form of government. The constitution was ratified in 2004. Preamble: In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and…
![Wyoming Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_54.jpg?itok=Gy_kJeqS)
Wyoming Constitution
Location: Northwestern United States Population: 580,000 Date of Constitution: 1889, most recent amendment was 2008 Key Facts: 10th largest state in terms of territory, 50th in terms of population
![Massachusetts Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_32.jpg?itok=nuwKYXgb)
Massachusetts Constitution
Location: Northeastern United States Population: 6.7 million Date of Constitution: 1780 Key Facts: first constitution drafted by convention assembled for that purpose; oldest continuously functioning written constitution that remains in effect
![Connecticut Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_9.jpg?itok=C6bIOKV_)
Connecticut Constitution
Location: U.S. state in southern New England Population: 3.576 Million Date of Constitution: 1965 Preamble: The People of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government; do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and…
![Yurok Tribe Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_56.jpg?itok=AJfd1teq)
Yurok Tribe Constitution
Location: California Population: 6,000 Date of Constitution: 1993
![Yavapai-Apache Nation Constitution](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2022-09/Structuring-Sovereignty-Constitutions-of-Native-Nations-Cover-thumbnail_1_55.jpg?itok=tLyl0AZs)
Yavapai-Apache Nation Constitution
Location: Arizona Population: 2300 Date of Constitution: 1936, as amended 1947