Boozhoo! We would like to introduce you to Zaagibagaang! We are a group of MCT Members who came together back in 2016 to share information with other members on our MCT Constitution. We realize the Constitution has a lot of history and can seem rather complicated, especially when combined with various Ordinances and Interpretations the Tribal Executive Committee has approved over the years; then add to it all of the local happenings on our own Reservations with our Tribal governments. Over the last two years we have created some very useful resources and would like to share them with everyone, but especially the Delegates as you embark on the MCT Constitutional Reform process. RESOURCES Zaagibagaang: www.zaagibagaang.com also found on Facebook under Zaagibagaang This is our website, packed with information and contains many more resources. Included is history of the MCT, videos explaining the constitution, a concepts on governance and leadership Minnesota Chippewa Tribe: www.mnchippewatribe.org Office site of the MN Chippewa Tribe. The Constitution, Ordinances, and Interpretations are all contained here as well as a page devoted to the Constitutional Convention notices and processes. The Native Nations Institute report is available with a good summary of the educational meetings held by MCT last year. All six of the Reservation’s websites Bois Forte: www.boisforte.com Fon du Lac: www.fdlrez.com Grand Portage: www.grandportage.com (casino) Leech Lake: www.llojibwe.com Mille Lacs: www.millelacsband.com White Earth: www.whiteearth.com Minnesota Indian Affairs Council: http://mn.gov/indianaffairs/ also on Facebook A good resource for all of the 11 reservations in MN with all elected leadership included Native Nations Institute: http://nni.arizona.edu/ NNI is committed to strengthening indigenous governance and has compiled probably the most comprehensive listing of resources, case studies, publications, and projects on Reservations throughout the entire U.S. in their Indigenous Governance Database, which is a free resource that gives you the option of creating an account and your own library if you wish to do so. https://nnigovernance.arizona.edu/ Anishinaabe scholar and attorney John Borrows has written extensively on Anishinaabe Constitutionalism, including citizenship. Two of his informative presentations are: Borrows, John. "Who Are We and How Do We Know?" Tribal Constitutions Seminar, Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, University of Arizona. Tucson, Arizona. April 2, 2014. Presentation. Available via the Indigenous Governance Database here https://nnigovernance.arizona.edu/john-borrows-who-are-we-and-how-do-we- know Borrows, John. "Anishinaabe Principles of Citizenship and Identity." Tribal Citizenship Conference, Indian Law Program, William Mitchell College of Law, in conjunction with the Bush Foundation. St. Paul, Minnesota. November 13, 2013. Presentation. Available via the Indigenous Governance Database here https://nnigovernance.arizona.edu/john-borrows-anishinaabe-principles- citizenship-and-identity The Native Nations Institute’s Indigenous Governance Database has a new web-based Constitutions Resource Center (CRC), which brings together extensive research on Indigenous constitutions, examples of the constitutional changes that Native nations are making, and videos of Native leaders and other governance experts talking about constitutional change. The site provides Native nations with access to a comprehensive set of tools and Native nation examples that can be helpful in the process of constitutional reform. https://nnigovernance.arizona.edu/crc You will see that the CRC is organized into five main sections: • The Defining section considers what constitutions are, their role in the lives of Native nations, and the history of Indigenous constitutional governance. • The Developing section reviews topics commonly included in the constitutions of Native nations, poses questions for those engaged in constitutional change, and provides examples of constitutional solutions chosen by some Native nations. • The Changing section reviews governance reform processes and the methods that Native nations have used to change their constitutions. • The Living section looks at the impact of constitutional change on tribal government and at the tasks involved in sustaining constitutional government over time. • The In Action section provides both excerpts from constitutions and a video catalog of Indigenous leaders discussing a wide range of governance topics. TIPS & HINTS Define a Delegate: del·e·gate NOUN a person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular an elected representative sent to a conference a person designated to act for or represent another or others; deputy; representative, as in a political convention. A delegate is a person who is chosen to vote or make decisions on behalf of a group of other people, especially at a conference or a meeting. Establish and define the roles and duties of the MCT Delegates, some ideas might include: • Listen to the people and carry information back and forth from the convention to the communities • Become knowledgeable on current constitution and know the history • Learn what other governments have done in their efforts of reform • Take a positive approach: talk about how we can we make tribal government better • Protect our people and our future • Apply our traditions and values to the process and any changes made to the consitution • Be committed – we’re counting on you! • Communicate with the other Delegates, the Alternates, and the People • Ensure the process is open and transparent • Let others know how we can keep up with the information, will you take minutes of the meetings, live stream meetings, poste information on a website or Facebook page? • Check your bias and ego at the door • Each Reservation’s delegates select their method of decision making – will you vote by motion, will you have a Chair, how will you be organized to ensure the voice of the people is heard? • Establish your ground rules & expectations of one another • Create a list or a repository of information that is easily accessable so others can also become informed • Shed light on the fact that our system is governing our way of life, and should reflect and enact our traditional values ESTABLISH YOUR GOAL What is the goal of the MCT Delegates? • Timeline: By XXX (what date) what do you want to have done • What are the best options to achieve the goal? Convention, Petition, etc. On behalf of Zaagibagaang, we submit this in a good way, a helpful way, as your success will dictate the success of our entire future. This resource is also available on our website. Please let us know if we can provide any assistance during this process. Miigwech, Zaagibagaang zaagibagaang@gmail.com