American Indian Constitutional Reform and the Rebuilding of Native Nations / / ed. by Eric D. Lemont.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter University of Texas Press eBook-Package Backlist 2000-2013
• MitwirkendeR: Champagne, Duane,; Goldberg, Carole,; Haberfeld, Steven,; Kalt, Joseph,; Lemont, Eric,; Rusco, Elmer,; Thomas, Joseph,; Wilkins, David,
• HerausgeberIn: Lemont, Eric D.,
• Place / Publishing House: Austin : : University of Texas Press, , [2021]; ©2006
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (360 p.)

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.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- Preface -- Introduction -- Part One -- one Remaking Tribal Constitutions: Meeting the Challenges of Tradition, Colonialism, and Globalization -- two Seasons of Change: Of Reforms, Melees, and Revolutions in Indian Country -- three The Indian Reorganization Act and Indian Self-Government -- Part Two -- four Members Only: Designing Citizenship Requirements for Indian Nations -- five My Grandma, Her People, Our Constitution -- six Constitutional Rule and the Effective Governance of Native Nations -- Part Three -- seven Realizing Constitutional Change through Citizen Participation -- eight The Process of Constitutional Reform -- nine Overcoming the Politics of Reform: The Story of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Constitution Convention -- About the Contributors -- Index