===== page 1 ===== Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution Meetings Session 6: Strengthening Our Government— How Have Other Native Nations Addressed the Process of Revising or Reforming Their Constitution? August 2017 to January 2018 Strengthening Your Nation’s Governance How Have Other Native Nations Addressed the Process of Revising or Reforming their Constitution? How Can a Native Nation Strengthen Its Governing System? PS Four fmportant Steps: SFG a Saitess (3 y TCA Can Ly . » & Suntateatily. Gpkse re ph wa ; Sh = AFP €2 4 oN + Baydeoneigation, | .& Pah adele LEIS 10 SOCK we perme bare CFLS If you decide you need major constitutional change... * You'll need someone to manage the reform process—and keep it non-political * You'll need time x You'll need to educate yourselves—and your citizens Presented by the Native Nations Institute, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, The University of Arizona. Copyright 2017. Arizona Board of Regents. All rights reserved. ===== page 2 ===== Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution Meeting Session 6: Strengthening Our Government— How Have Other Native Nations Addressed the Process of Revising or Reforming Their Constitution? August 2017 to January 2018 Who Will Manage the Reform Process? Neither councils nor the atterneys should run the show. Councils will paliticize it and may antagonize factions that aren’t well represented. The attorneys should advise, not manage. A Constitutional Commission—perhaps appointed by council but jadependent of it—is a better approach. A Constitutional Commission will need to be: * Representative of the people * By geography? * By family or can? ° By? = Independent * What is the role of the Tribal Executive Committee? * What is the role of other groups? = Respected = Well-informed = Well-funded Responsibilities of Commission Members * Obtain community input and participation x Organize culturally appropriate ways to consider issues, and organize settings where citizens will feel comfortable—and safe— talking about change * Bring ideas, models, examples to the table = Develop drafts of changes for feedback * Organize referendum on final proposals Presented by the Native Nations Institute, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, The University of Arizona. Copyright 2017. Arizona Board of Regents. All rights reserved. ===== page 3 ===== Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution Meetings Session 6: Strengthening Our Government— How Have Other Native Nations Addressed the Process of Revising or Reforming Their Constitution? August 2017 to January 2018 But perhaps the changes you need are less comprehensive For example... * Actuaily live by ihe constitution you have—if it’s a good one. Adopt new laws and codes—and enforce them Establish rules thal get politics out of the enterprises— and cut of the court Esiablish rules that encourage entrepreneurs Clarify roles throughout government Increase transparency and accountability Build joint institutions with other Nalive Nations » Report to the community on progress toward strategic goals eae Seer Og EN ttn pode ke STARE ere er roseepacn eer reecateetet Move step by step It doesn’t all have to happen at once. If necessary, start with the less complicated or contentious things. Build a track record of change. Mobilize the Community Your people need to know: What are we doing and why? What will the benefits be? How will reforming the government affect my life? They'll need a chance to learn and a chance to talk about what's happening. Presented by the Native Nations institute, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, The University of Arizona. Copyright 2017. Arizona Board of Regents. All rights reserved. ===== page 4 ===== Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution Meetings Session 6: Strengthening Our Government— How Have Other Native Nations Addressed the Process of Revising or Reforming Their Constitution? August 2017 to January 2018 A key task: leadership and community have to be on the same page. For nation building to succeed, this has to be the community i. vision and plan, too. ; Listen | \ } 1 Deliberate Some Strategies for Citizen Education and Mobilization High school classes, community college classes, community meetings to discuss the nation’s government, history, and law A series in the nation’s newspaper on government reform * Youth councils * Handbooks on governance “ History courses for your own government employees Governmental Reform without Citizen Participation no citizen EEE ne sense of participation community ownership .¥ secome more eee a government that lacks community support cS Presented by the Native Nations Institute, Udail Center for Studies in Public Policy, The University of Arizona. Copyright 2017. Arizona Board of Regents. All rights reserved. ===== page 5 ===== Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution Meetings Session 6: Strengthening Our Government— How Have Other Native Nations Addressed the Process of Revising or Reforming Their Constitution? August 2017 to January 2018 THE OSAGE NATION SAZAZOR , A | (ss) | © Elected ieaders did not dictate the governance reform process; Reform eitens ware well-funded by the Gsage Nation; Community input was sought and gathered througnout the entire arocess; * Osage Nation civic uducation was created; + Osage Nation youtn were involved; Technical assistance occurred al the request of the governance reform commutiee but those with technical expertise did not manage the process; and . The governance reform commiztes helped with the Wansition process. cae, Bn P yu SER3s 7-4 Te 2 nd: ao rc! . 9a x. SALAS Sohe FOO at aye ris Samay menens weed Y 4 te NOM ee & i oat Ned strona dzons.edasd eda ee fess he ae 2 EF Scenes conten ————_—_—_————————————— — — BLACKFEET NATION © Blackfeet Tribe Rejects Constitutional Reform Measure “I would really like to sea the Biockfret fl F734 Tikal Burinass Councsi sit dowoweth Beenie ive a SE Shoe Four First Nations have joined hands to restore their Ktunaxa identity and build a government that works: + Tobacco falas + St Mary's * tawer Xootensy + Coiumbia tohe We may not get a treaty, but we'll get a government. Presented by the Native Nations Institute, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, The University of Arizona. Copyright 2017. Arizona Board of Regents. All rights reserved. ===== page 6 ===== Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution Meetings Session 6: Strengthening Our Government— How Have Other Native Nations Addressed the Process of Revising or Reforming Their Constitution? August 2017 to January 2018 382? and 1839 ~ adopted waitien constitution + pry: Upelated 2 convention would ba i every co years t2 conser revisi amendments, or changes 3965 - 79 delegates served ang ~ a Kevew tone oe attended a g-dzy co convention at which een writ ten word ard tine of a draft was reviewed + 2003- BIA Secretaiiai election wr resulted in Cherokee citizens voting to remove the Secretaria: zoprovai a corto Reform Initiative Seeking proyrusve tottiors to publers, praing econemk nabdcy wd retry oilres. Inigsort ad Teme 3 “BIL EPES UNITES crcmatecens $b fe BEER SRS Mok. wan. > Cyr) i§3 ¥ mt “ x OSeez : srs S3 SL AE SOUSA = Sees *. ed =~ = >, 4 rr as EAR eR For nation building to last, both leaders and citizens have to build capable governing institutions —and then abide by them. Who will take responsibility for the future of the nation—and walk the sovereignty walk? Presented by the Native Nations Institute. Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, The University of Arizona. Copyright 2017. Arizona Board of Regents. All rights reserved. ony