American Indian Constitutional Reform and the Rebuilding of Native Nations

Since 1975, when the U.S. government adopted a policy of self-determination for American Indian nations, a large number of the 562 federally recognized nations have seized the opportunity to govern themselves and determine their own economic, political, and cultural futures. As a first and crucial step in this process, many nations are revising constitutions originally developed by the U.S. government to create governmental structures more attuned to native people's unique cultural and political values. These new constitutions and the governing institutions they create are fostering greater governmental stability and accountability, increasing citizen support of government, and providing a firmer foundation for economic and political development. This book brings together for the first time the writings of tribal reform leaders, academics, and legal practitioners to offer a comprehensive overview of American Indian nations' constitutional reform processes and the rebuilding of native nations. The book is organized in three sections. The first part investigates the historical, cultural, economic, and political motivations behind American Indian nations' recent reform efforts. The second part examines the most significant areas of reform, including criteria for tribal membership/citizenship and the reform of governmental institutions. The book concludes with a discussion of how American Indian nations are navigating the process of reform, including overcoming the politics of reform, maximizing citizen participation, and developing short-term and long-term programs of civic education.

ISBN 0292713177   Pages 360 ISBN13 9780292713178 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher University of Texas Press   Weight (grammes) 499 Imprint University of Texas Press   Published in Austin, TX Format Paperback   Height (mm) 230 Publication date 04 Jul 2006   Width (mm) 154 Library of Congress 2005032407   Spine width (mm) 25 DEWEY 342.730872   Academic level Professional / Scholarly DEWEY edition DC22

1		Remaking tribal constitutions : meeting the challenges of tradition, colonialism, and globalization by Duane Champagne		11
2		Seasons of change : of reforms, melees, and revolutions in Indian country by David Wilkins		35
3		The Indian reorganization act and Indian self-government by Elmer Rusco		49
		Firsthand accounts : why engage in constitutional reform?		83
4		Members only : designing citizenship requirements for Indian nations by Carole Goldberg		107
5		My grandma, her people, our constitution by Joseph Thomas Flies-Away		144
		Firsthand accounts : membership and citizenship		166
6		Constitutional rule and the effective governance of native nations by Joseph Kalt		184
		Firsthand accounts : governmental institutions		220
7		Realizing constitutional change through citizen participation by Eric Lemont		237
8		The process of constitutional reform by Steven Haberfeld		252
		Firsthand accounts : maximizing citizen participation		272
9		Overcoming the politics of reform : the story of the Cherokee nation of Oklahoma constitution convention by Eric Lemont		287
		Firsthand account : overcoming the politics of reform		323

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