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John Burrows Executive Director Center For World Indigenous Studies ()-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=() ||/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\|| ||=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|| || || || The Fourth World Documentation Project runs entirely on grants || || and private donations. If you find this information service || || useful to you in any way, please consider making a donation to || || help keep it running. CWIS is a non-profit [U.S. 501(c)(3)] || || organization. All donations are completely tax deductible. || || Donations may be made to: || || || || The Center For World Indigenous Studies || || ATTN: FWDP || || P.O. Box 2574 || || Olympia, Washington USA || || 98507-2574 || || Thank You, || || CWIS Staff || || || ||=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|| ||\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/|| ()=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-() ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: This file has been created under the loving care of :: :: -= THE FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT =- :: :: A service provided by :: :: The Center For World Indigenous Studies :: :: :: :: THE FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT ARCHIVES :: :: http://www.halcyon.com/FWDP/fwdp.html :: :: THE CENTER FOR WORLD INDIGENOUS STUDIES :: :: http://www.halcyon.com/FWDP/cwisinfo.html :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: DOCUMENT: CIGA_CON.TXT C O N F E D E R A T I O N O F I N D I G E N O U S G O V E R N M E N T S CONSTITUTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~ PART I - PURPOSE To give immediate authority to the Government of the CONFEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS to act on behalf of the founding member nations and governments for the following common concerns: 1. Protection of Indigenous Sovereignty, Governments, Territories, Resources, Assets and Citizens; Rights; 2. Conduct and carry out foreign affairs on behalf of member governments; 3. Implementation of plans of action required by the position of member governments on future relations with an independent State of Canada; 4. Development of this Constitution as required for ratification by member governments; 5. Co-ordination of management of Indigenous Affairs, Territories, Resources, Assets and Rights; 6. Development of general policies of Indigenous Governments' co-operation in the provision of services and programs to their Citizens. PART II - PRINCIPLES OF CONFEDERATION 1. The CONFEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS recognizes that the inherent sovereignty of the citizens of member nations and governments is inalienable. 2. Indigenous Governments are those which are constitutional and traditionally enacted by citizens of existing Indigenous Bands, Tribes, Settlements, Colonies or Nations. Definition of citizenship of these political bodies, the rights of citizens, the terms and processes of naturalization of aliens shall be as provided in constitutions enacted by recognized citizens. 3. The authority to affiliate with other Indigenous Nations and governments shall be constitutionally provided by the citizens of member governments. 4. Indigenous Nations are those affiliations traditionally established by Indigenous Peoples and Governments for defense, cultural, treaty or economic purposes. 5. The CONFEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS shall respect the sovereignty and equality of member nations and governments. 6. Member nations and governments shall settle disputes among or between themselves by the peaceful means of negotiation, conciliation or arbitration. 7. The CONFEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS shall be dedicated to Indigenous self-reliance, self-sufficiency and self-determination. 8. Any Indigenous Nation or government shall be entitled to apply for participation in the CONFEDERATION. 9. The member governments of the CONFEDERATION shall include in their constitutions the traditional principle of inalienable communal ownership of territories, resources and all assets accruing from the use or exploitation of traditional territories and resources. PART III - MEMBERSHIP Founding members of the CONFEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS shall be those nations and governments whose Chiefs sign this document and whose governments ratify its developed text by April 30, 1981. Membership after April 30, 1981, shall be approved by the Congress of the CONFEDERATION, and effective upon ratification of the Constitution by the applicant governments. PART IV - GOVERNMENT OF CONFEDERATION The CONFEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS shall consist of an ASSEMBLY OF THE HEADS OF MEMBER GOVERNMENTS, a CONGRESS OF REPRESENTATIVES, an EXECUTIVE COUNCIL and a JUDICIARY. 1. The ASSEMBLY OF THE HEADS OF MEMBER GOVERNMENTS, to be known as THE ASSEMBLY, shall meet at least once every four years to review the policies and financial affairs of the CONFEDERATION, make recommendations to the CONGRESS, and elect the President and Vice-President. 2. The CONGRESS OF REPRESENTATIVES shall be elected by the member governments in constituencies established in accordance with the formula accepted before ratification of this constitution. The CONGRESS OF REPRESENTATIVES shall be the Legislature of the CONFEDERATION. It shall enact all laws for the Confederation and establish its own rules and procedures subject only to limitations recommended by the CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE and ratified by the founding members. It shall enact the policies to govern the activities of the CONFEDERATION. The CONGRESS shall convene at least one session every year to conduct its business and fulfill its responsibilities and duties for a duration of not fewer than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days. Member governments within agreed upon constituencies shall determine their election procedures. After ratification of the Constitution and the first general elections are held, the elections shall be held every four years and not longer than forty-eight (48) consecutive months have passed since the previous elections. For the purpose of the establishment of the first government, the signators of this constitution shall adopt their own rules and procedures for the necessary elections. 3. The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall consist of at least fifteen persons including the PRESIDENT and VICE PRESIDENT. Ten members of the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall be elected by member governments of the CONFEDERATION from ten constituencies established by the CONSTITUTION, in accordance with the formula accepted before ratification of this constitution. The PRESIDENT shall fill any vacancy in the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL by appointment. The PRESIDENT amy appoint members to the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL in excess of fifteen persons subject to the approval of the CONGRESS. The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall be responsible for the establishment of programs, the implementation and the application of laws, in accordance with the policies and laws enacted by the CONGRESS. The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall draft the budget for the CONFEDERATION for congressional approval. It shall develop the SECRETARIAT required by the GOVERNMENT OF THE CONFEDERATION subject to legislated financial controls and such rules and procedures adopted by the CONGRESS. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL members may be assigned specific responsibilities and portfolios by the PRESIDENT. The PRESIDENT shall be the HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT. He shall direct the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL and SECRETARIAT. He shall chair all sessions of the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL and the CONGRESS, or delegate this function to a member of the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. The PRESIDENT shall cast the deciding vote in case of a tie vote. The PRESIDENT shall have the power of veto over all laws enacted by the CONGRESS. This power of veto, however, shall be rendered null if the laws are adopted on second reading in the CONGRESS by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote. The VICE-PRESIDENT shall assume the responsibilities, duties and role of the PRESIDENT as directed by the PRESIDENT, or as required by the incapacitation of the PRESIDENT. In case of a dispute, the CONGRESS at its regular session shall decide on the PRESIDENT'S ability to hold office in accordance with appropriate rules and procedures provided in the ratified constitution. Candidates for EXECUTIVE COUNCIL positions must be at least thirty (30) years of age, and citizens of members of the CONFEDERATION. Candidates for the elected positions of the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL must be nominated by five elected officials from the member governments in their constituencies. 4. The JUDICIARY shall include a CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE. The CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE shall consist of five appointed members who are citizens of members of the CONFEDERATION of at least thirty (30) years of age. The CONGRESS shall appoint the members of the CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE from a list of candidates prepared by the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. The CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE shall develop this constitution for the ratification of the governments of the signators. It shall propose the Structure, Function, Composition, Systems, Processes, Rules, Regulations and Procedures of other mechanisms of the JUDICIARY for inclusion in this constitution. The CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE shall propose the necessary rules, procedures and measures required to regulate the conduct of Government members, elected, appointed or employed, including provisions for the impeachment of elected officials, to be included in this constitution for ratification by the governments of the signators. The CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE shall prepare an ELECTION ACT for inclusion in this constitution for ratification. PART V - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION The CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE shall receive from member governments proposed changes to the Constitution. The Committee shall recommend amendments for the consideration and approval of the Congress. Congressionally approved amendments shall be distributed to member governments for ratification. Upon ratification by two-thirds (2/3) of the member governments, amendments shall come into force. PART VI - ENACTMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION The Constitution of the CONFEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS shall come into effect when the Heads of ten Indigenous Governments sign this document. This Constitution shall remain in force as long as there are ten founding members. PART VII - FINANCES OF THE CONSTITUTION FOUNDING MEMBERS shall pledge to the CONFEDERATION ten percent (10%) of their yearly revenues, to be remitted each quarter. Other sources of revenue shall be derived from negotiated proportions of payments obtained on behalf of members from other states in compensation for exploited land resources, in payments for negotiated leases and in payment for all other state debts or contributions for the restitution/development of our societies. PART VIII - THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE FIRST ASSEMBLY OF HEADS OF MEMBER GOVERNMENTS WHEREAS the INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, GOVERNMENTS and NATIONS existing under the trusteeship of the British Crown are now threatened with loss of inherent sovereignty, territories, resources and all other rights we possess as the original peoples of the geographic area now known as Canada by the unilateral act of the GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CANADA; AND WHEREAS the Indigenous Peoples, have during the past centuries maintained their inherent sovereignty and other rights as aboriginal peoples; AND WHEREAS the GOVERNMENTS OF THE STATE OF CANADA, in the past and at present, have continuously violated the trust delegated to it for administration by the IMPERIAL CROWN by acts of aggression, violation of human rights,occupation of Indian territories, exploitation of Indian resources, and interference in the Domestic Affairs of Indigenous Governments and Nations: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the UNDERSIGNED do hereby exercise the inherent Sovereignty of their people by enacting the Constitution of the CONFEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To have a current Center For World Indigenous Studies Publication Catalogue sent to you via e-mail, send a request to jburrows@halcyon.com http://www.halcyon.com/FWDP/cwiscat.html Center For World Indigenous Studies P.O. 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