Oneida Nation Constitutional Reform Overview
Oneida Nation Vice Chairwoman Melinda J. Danforth presents a historical perspective and timeline of events related to constitutional reform. The presentation covers the adoption and amendments of the Oneida Nation's Constitution, proposed amendments, challenges identified, and the process leading up to the approval of amendments by the General Tribal Council.
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Presentation Transcript
Presented by Oneida Nation Vice Chairwoman Melinda J. Danforth Constitutional Reform
Presentation Overview Historical Perspective Timeline of Events Question & Answer
Historical Perspective 1936 Oneida Nation s Constitution adopted Amended Three Times: 1939, 1969 & 2015 o 1969 Major changes 1990 s Constitutional Review Committee o BIA deems amendments superficial 2000 s White Pine Constitution o Culturally Relevant Constitution 2015 5 Amendments approved
Proposed Amendments Lower the voting age from 21 to 18 Change Tribe s official name to Oneida Nation Lift the requirement to present yourself at the polls to vote, thereby allowing for the development of absentee balloting in the election law Remove the Secretary of Interior from an oversight & approval role with the tribe Formally establish a judicial branch within the constitution Remove first Monday meeting requirement for Annual & Semi-Annual Meetings
Timeline of Events 2009 Review of Historical work o Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) o White Pine Constitution Challenges Identified: o Under the CRC, the BIA deemed the amendments as superficial o No Community Buy In o Lack of understanding of traditional government
Timeline of Events (2) 2009 Developed Strategy o Gain control of our Constitution & processes o Worked on survey for tribal membership April 2010 - Oneida General Tribal Council o Initial conversation about Amendments April 2010 Survey o Gauge Community Buy in
Timeline of Events (3) August 2010 General Tribal Council o Approves the 5 amendments and authorizes the request to the BIA for a Secretarial Election 2010 through 2014 o Code of Federal Regulations allows for a waiver/exception to the percentage requirements in our Constitution o Attorneys work through language that BIA questioned o BIA holding consultation sessions to remove their authorities under Tribes/Nations constitutions
Timeline of Events (4) September 2014 Oneida Receives approval of the Secretarial Election o Secretarial Election Board appointed May 2, 2015 Secretarial Election held o Results were declared the same day June 24, 2015 BIA Certification Received o Implementation of the amendments begins
Timeline of Events (5) July 2015 IBIA Receives Appeal by Tribal Member o Implementation is placed on hold February 2016 IBIA decision received o Implementation Resumes
A Look Back Communication was key Consulting BIA officials on process Political pressure required Community Buy in
Questions? Oneida Nation Website: oneida-nsn.gov
Contact Melinda J. Danforth, Vice Chairwoman Oneida Nation mdanforj@oneidanation.org (920) 869-4461 Lisa Summers, Tribal Secretary lsummer2@oneidanation.org (920) 869-4478
