Good tribal governance: Blackfeet Constitutional Reform Committee

I recently met with some members of the Blackfeet Tribe here in Missoula who are helping create a constitutional reform survey for the Blackfeet Nation. The survey for the nation is expected to be complete in a few weeks, according to Wendy Running Crane and Linda Juneau. Running Crane and Juneau are both members of the Blackfoot Project, an education think-tank working together for the good of the tribe.

Meanwhile, the tribe has created a Blackfeet Contstitutional Reform Committee (see link on Buffalos Fire home page) which is dedicated to the following principles:

* To educate the Blackfeet public about the constitution and how it relates to them.* To prompt the Blackfeet public to form ideas, views, and concepts of how they want the constitution to be.

* To provide the Blackfeet public with outlets to express their views, ideas, and concepts of the constitution.

* To encourage the Blackfeet public into participating through community meetings and other media outlets.

*To develop a new constitution or amendments through the Blackfeet publics views, ideas, and concepts.

* To have a secretarial election in order for the Blackfeet public to vote and approve/disapprove the changes to the constitution.

The BCRC marks a monumental step forward for the tribe to govern its people in way that is best for the people, a governance model that reflects Blackfeet values. I'll keep readers posted on the tribe's progress.

Jodi Rave