I recently met with some members of the Blackfeet Tribe here in Missoula who are helping create a constitutional reform survey for the Blackfeet Nation. The survey for the nation is expected to be complete in a few weeks, according to Wendy Running Crane and Linda Juneau. Running Crane and Juneau are both members of the Blackfoot Project, an education think-tank working together for the good of the tribe.
Meanwhile, the tribe has created a Blackfeet Contstitutional Reform Committee (see link on Buffalos Fire home page) which is dedicated to the following principles:
* To educate the Blackfeet public about the constitution and how it relates to them.* To prompt the Blackfeet public to form ideas, views, and concepts of how they want the constitution to be.
* To provide the Blackfeet public with outlets to express their views, ideas, and concepts of the constitution.
* To encourage the Blackfeet public into participating through community meetings and other media outlets.
*To develop a new constitution or amendments through the Blackfeet publics views, ideas, and concepts.
* To have a secretarial election in order for the Blackfeet public to vote and approve/disapprove the changes to the constitution.
The BCRC marks a monumental step forward for the tribe to govern its people in way that is best for the people, a governance model that reflects Blackfeet values. I’ll keep readers posted on the tribe’s progress.
Jodi Rave
Eleanor
Interesting…my Tribal government has been struggling with a new constitution since ’06 and I mean struggling…
to inform the Tribal members before changes are made is crucial, those changes need to be clear on just how it will effect each and every Tribal member! No hidden agenda for sure it is a momentous task.
A copy of my Tribal constitution can be found here: http://www.c-a-tribes.org/cheyenne-arapaho-tribes-constitution
As Natives,we need all the information about all Tribal Nations so that we can be strong in our unity for our future as Sovereign Nations.
Thanks
Eleanor