we the first people : the catawba constitution initiative

We the First People:

The Catawba Constitution Initiative

Creating Laws to Provide Harmony

A Constitution by the People for the People

Community MeetingMarch 18th 2014

Tonight’s Meeting

• Why do we need a new Constitution?

• How can you can participate?

• What is a Constitution?

How did this initiative get

started?

• This initiative is driven by community input.

• We planned to move forward with this initiative, but applied for the grant to enhance the project by allowing for more marketing, food, and prizes, as well as consultants (1 for drafting and 1 for review).

• The process is being documented and will be shared by the National Congress of American Indians with tribes throughout the country.

Why do we need a

new constitution?

• 1993 Settlement directs the tribe to pass a new constitution

• The Settlement Agreement directs the Executive Committee to prepare a proposed Constitution for tribal members to vote on.

Why do we need a

new constitution?

• The 1975 Constitution served the Catawba people well for many years. But the tribe has changed in many ways since 1975 which has led us to need a new Constitution.• Number of tribal

members• Where tribal members

live• Federal recognition• Full tribal government

with a staff• Grants and programs

that benefit tribal members

Why do we need a

new constitution?

• The tribe and its members have opportunities that were unimaginable 40 years ago.

• More economic development programs

• More and improved services

• Tribal courts• Tribal police

Why is the executive committee

trying something new?

• In order to adopt a new constitution, the 1993 Settlement Agreement requires 30% of all eligible voters vote on the constitution, and over 50% of those people vote for adoption of the new constitution.

• Since then, four constitutions have been proposed, but we have never had 30% of tribal members vote on the proposed constitution.

DISCUSSION

• Imagine 10, 20, or 50 years in the future. What do you hope the Catawba Indian Nation is like?• Economically• Politically• Programs/ Education

opportunities for the tribe

Public Input • This process is designed to get as much input as possible

from every tribal member that wants to participate. • We will make every necessary accommodation to make

sure everyone who wants to participate is able to.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

Volunteer • Volunteer your time to help with focus groups,

community meetings, spreading the word• Contact Elizabeth Harris for more information

Community Meetings and General Council Meetings

• Public meetings will be held where we will discuss what we all value in a constitution and what our hopes are for the future of the tribe and tribal government and discuss results and next steps.

-Community Meetings: Tonight June 17th at 6pm

• There will also be updates provided in the General Council meetings.

-Next General Council Meeting: July 12, 2014 at 10am


Focus Groups• Small group meetings to ask about

hopes for the future constitution• Specific questions about

requirements for tribal membership, the role of the General Council, the duties of the Executive Committee, the powers of voters, and more

• No limit on the amount of people that can sign up, but everyone will be divided into groups of 15 or less when you arrive


Citizen Focus Group Dates: April 22, 2014 at

6pm May 20, 2014 at

6pm

Focus Groups• Focus groups:1.Citizen Focus Groups

(2 opportunities; same questions each time)

2.Young Adults (18-30)3.Seniors4.Teens5.Parents6.Tribal employees7.Online group

• Sign up sheets at the back of the room


Citizen Focus Group Dates: April 22, 2014 at

6pm May 20, 2014 at

6pm

For those outside of York County• Presentations will be posted online with meeting minutes

within one week of the meetings, comments can be sent to Elizabeth Harris or Kristie Ratterree and will be incorporated into the records

• [email protected]• [email protected]

• An online focus group will be held for anyone who is not able to make one of the scheduled groups but especially for those not in this area


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Citizen Survey• A survey for all voting age tribal

members to answer questions about what they value in tribal government, tribal leadership, and a future constitution.

• Survey will be based on the input from the community meetings and focus groups and sent out in July 2014.


Evaluation of Public Input and Drafting of Proposed Constitution

• After all community meetings, focus groups, and the citizen survey are complete, the legal consultant will evaluate the results, work with the Executive & Constitution Committees, and draft a proposed constitution that reflects tribal members’ input.


Evaluation of Public Input and Drafting of Proposed Constitution

• The new proposed Constitution will be reviewed by second tribal consultant

• A copy of the proposed Constitution will be sent to all tribal members by January 2015.


Comment and Questions Period of New Proposed Constitution

• Members will be able to submit comments and questions and if necessary, revisions will be made.

• 2 additional community input meetings will be held

• We will have a final proposed Constitution ready to be voted on by the July 2015 elections.


• It is our hope that by doing this, we can create a constitution that reflects the values, concerns, and aspirations of our entire tribe.

• This will make this a constitution that belongs to each of us throughout the process- from this first community meeting all the way to the vote to adopt the new Constitution.

• We want you and ask you to participate and have your voices heard.


DISCUSSION• How else can we get tribal members involved

in the creating and adoption of a new Constitution and keep them engaged all the way until the Election in July 2015?

"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of

our decisions on the next seven generations."

- The Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy

What is a Constitution?A document that establishes a government

structure.

• Describes what entities are part of the government

• Describes each entity’s powers, duties, and limitations

• Describes how these entities will work together and how the tribal government will operate

A document that allows the tribe to assert its sovereignty.

• A good constitution allows the tribe to assert its sovereignty, determine its own future, and remain self-sufficient.

• Prevents outside influences (like the state and federal government) from asserting power that belongs to the tribe

What is a Constitution?

A Constitution is the shared vision, values, and aspirations of the people it governs.

• It should reflect our values and our hopes for the future of our tribal members and tribal government.

What is a Constitution?

DISCUSSION• What do you feel is important in our tribe’s

constitution?• How should the document look?• What are the major sections that need to be

included?

Good government • The first priority of the

government should be to work for the happiness and prosperity of all its citizens.

• How do we make sure that the citizens are happy and prosperous in our constitution?

• Government should treat everyone fairly and equally

• How do we ensure everyone is being treated fair and equal?

Thomas Jefferson’s Ideas of Good Government

• Government should vigorously protect the right of the people to elect their leaders

• "The excellence of every government is its adaptation to the state of those to be governed by it.”

• How can we ensure that elected officials reflect the will of tribal members?

Good government


• "It will be said that great societies cannot exist without [a good] government.”

• What makes our government a good government?

• "The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.”

• How do we ensure honesty in our government?

Good government


Questions?

we the first people : the catawba constitution initiative

Documents