Constitutions of Indigenous Nations

Miriam Jorgensen   Alison Vivian

This course considers the question, “What is a constitution?” and explores different types of Indigenous nation constitutions, important concepts for constitutions to address, and the process for developing one appropriate for each community. 

• How do constitutions facilitate tribal self-governance? 
• How can constitutions help shape development of capable governing institutions? 
• What should Indigenous nations bear in mind when considering tribal constitution reform ? 
• What are constitutions, and what is their role in the lives of Native nations, and the history of Indigenous constitutional governance?