The Blackfeet Nation has created a constitutional reform committee to write a much-needed amendment to the tribal constitution. The order: To create a Blackfeet Constitution that best fits the Blackfeet culture and traditions, but at the same time has separation of powers, which actually means, “a government free from political interference and conflicts of interests to allow for the development of fair administration of that government in order to foster success and prosperity of the people in which the government has been entrusted.”

The tribe has extended the deadline for reform to June 2010.

If anyone has any thoughts on tribal government, conflict of interest and constitutional reform in Indian Country, give me a holler at jodi.rave@buffalosfire.com. We can discuss this online.

Moreover, if you are Blackfeet, contact one of the reform committee members, including GG Kipp (ggkipp@bfcc.org) Greg Gilham (gregvike@yahoo.com) or Virgil “Puggy” Edwards (puggy@3rivers.net).

Or contact Lona Burns who is overseeing the Blackfeet Constitution Reform Committee. Check out their Web site.

Jodi Rave