Published 8:10 AM MDT, September 10, 2022. An Interview was taken a few days earlier and then an article was posted. One sentence in particular through this interview was left out and I now believe it to be a crucial piece of what I am writing today. Quoting myself I stated “One thing I will never write about as an aspiring journalist is Politics.” My view has clearly changed since then, which brings me to this paper. Writing on behalf of myself as a person growing up in a self governed nation such as the Crow Tribal Government I never understood the full process of my own government and I would like to write a piece I wouldn't normally write about.. But before I get to that, I want to go over some brief history.

Every Native American Government system is an important and unique member within the American government.. The US Constitution has recognized these tribal nations as sovereign governments, just like Canada or California. Sovereignty Meaning the concept or the right to self-govern. The National Congress of the American Indian provides proper information of Native American Government and how it was granted. Explaining the long battle through the years where Tribal nations have had to cede millions of acres of land that make the United States what it is today and, in return, received the guarantee of ongoing self-government on our own lands. The treaties and laws create what is known as the federal “trust responsibility,” to protect both tribal lands and tribal self-government, and to provide for federal assistance to ensure the success of tribal communities.

Thinking upon this information I can only go deeper into history and what it took for native people to receive the right to a Self-Governing Nation. Specifically a quote which is written on the walls of a Museum. The Museum of the American Indian located in Washington D.C, This quote was stated by Robert Yellowtail of the (Crow Tribe) to the state committee of Indian Affairs in 1919.

“It is Particular and strange to me that you have not one law that permits us to think free, act free, expand free, and to decide free without first having to go and ask... the Secretary of the Interior.”

-Robert Yellowtail, 1919.

This quote holds meaning and an act of activism for the native people as I don't believe we were ever free within the hands of the “American Government.” Native people have only suffered from what they called ‘Friends of the Indians’ with a history of wary welcoming, followed by opposition, defeat, near-extinction, and, now, a renaissance. We had none of the laws that we have now to let our people act in their free will without having to ask for the permission to do things that I would explain to be of free right to us as aboriginal people of America.

That's why Generations after Generations of American Indian leaders traveled to Washington D.C, in an act of representation for their culture, traditions, and the people. Talking on behalf of their rights, point out grievances, and remind successive administrations that the United states had a nation to nation treaty obligation. As hundreds of Treaties were broken one after the other. The National Geographics; Titled “The United States Government’s Relationship with Native Americans” in the 1960s due to the effects of the Civil Right movement that led to the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975, which restored some sovereignty to tribal governments and gave them a certain independence in handling federal funds and operating federal programs. The governmental status of tribal nations wasn't easy to obtain after generations of a battle between Native American people and the American Government.

Only Now in the present day the Government status of tribal nations is at the heart of nearly every issue that touches Indian Country. Self-government holding importance of tribal communities are to continue to protect their unique cultures and identities. There are hundreds of tribes in the country and many just in montana. An example is my very own community of the Apsaalooke People. Just like many government systems the Crow Tribal Government system; inside this system stands three main branches of government. Executive, legislative, and judicial, alongside the Crow Tribal General Council which is made up of all eligible tribal members 18 years old and older. The Crow Tribal General Council makes decisions on behalf of the Crow Nation when convened at a duly called meeting or through the election process.

General Council meetings include the Chairman (President) to run a meeting, The General Council also retains the enrollment and/or membership rights of and to the Crow Nation. Elections are held for committees, initiatives, referendums, recalls, and removals - a paramount power to elect the Executive Officials, Legislators, and Judges. Elections are also held to decide on amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. Particularly our Legislative branch or Crow Nation Legislature, are the ones to develop laws and resolutions, grant final approval on items negotiated by the Executive Officials, and grant final approval for a tribal budget for Crow Nation Administration.

As for The crow tribal constitution (Adopted July 14th, 2001) which holds every right and strict bylaws for the Crow tribal Indians. Including Articles I-XV explaining details of the Governing body, Territory, Membership, The executive branch of government, Legislative branch of government, Elections, Vacancy, removal and recall, Referendum and Initiative, Judicial branch of government, Our Bill of Rights, Amendments, Adoption, Severability, and approval. The three branches work together solely for the rights of the people. Specifically the Legislative branch having much to do with many things inside the Crow tribal government system.

The Legislative branch remains an autonomous entity of the tribal Government of the Crow people while working in conjunction with Executive and Judicial Branches to benefit the tribe. The lawmaking power of the Legislative Branch will be directly responsive to work to create a voice and attend to the needs of the Crow people. Our Legislators are chosen from each of the six districts on the reservation to represent their respective constituents. The 2001 ARTICLE V — LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT Section 1. Membership. Includes knowledge of the Crow Tribal General Council shall elect three members from each of the established districts within the Crow Reservation known as Valley of the Giveaway(Big Horn), Black Lodge, Valley of the Chiefs( Lodge Grass), Arrow Creek(Pryor), Center Lodge (Reno), and Mighty Few(Wyola), to serve as legislators comprising the Legislative Branch of the Crow Tribal government.

The Legislative Branch of the Crow Tribe shall operate as a separate and distinct branch of the Crow Tribal Government and shall exercise a separation of powers from the other branches of the Crow Tribal Government. The initial election of the Legislative members shall be held within sixty (60) days of approval of this Constitution. Thereafter, the members of the Legislative Branch shall be elected by qualified voters in an election held in accordance with an Election Ordinance duly adopted pursuant to Article VI, Section 5 of this Constitution. One (1) representative from each district will serve an initial term of two (2) years and two (2) representatives shall serve initial four (4) year terms. After completion of the initial terms, election for members of the Legislative Branch shall occur after four (4) years from the commencement of each initial term, resulting in staggered terms for the Legislative Branch members.

So just like any political system and government we have many bylaws, branches, elections, campaigns, etc, that all keep Tribal governments running smoothly and fairly. The Legislative branch holds much power and duties to promulgate and adopt laws, resolutions, ordinances, codes, regulations, and guidelines in accordance with this Constitution and federal laws for the governance of the Crow Tribe.

Over the years there have been many changes including much advancement to the crow tribal system. Through the district representatives' years of service to the Crow Tribe Legislative branch they held a valued mission to create opportunities for economic growth, improved infrastructure, advancements in education and an improved relationship with the general council. Building back up the economic foundation in order to bring a better future for the youth members of our community as we thrive to continue our legacies of a strong nation, through the culture and tradition of the people.

As Native people, we live a great way off. Just as many native tribes do in this world and the lands we live in. Although Life on the reservation isn't easy and most native kids and people know that. Every day, Everyone experiences hardships. We've been surviving the government since they put us on the reservations. We know what it's like to go without money and food. We learned how to survive off rations given to us. We know how to be resilient and survive in hard times. Just through recent years I've seen so much struggles with covid 19 that took a toll on the community.

But Ive also seen so much improvement within the Crow Reservation as we move out of that hardship. Seeing many Tribal owned businesses and a summer youth Job program open up across the reservation creating more growth to the economy of jobs in the area. A new school building was built and finished in Wyola providing a greater environment for the youth to learn as with the Crow Tribal community colleges advancement in its work for Higher education to get more of our graduate students attending and receiving college degrees. Native based organizations bring programs to help the people struggling with hardships like substance abuse, Higher Education, Joblessness, Homelessness, adjustment into civic process, etc. So with the continued advancement of opportunities on the reservation I believe our path to economic growth is an ever changing road within our self governing nation.

References:

Constitution and Bylaws of the Crow Tribe of Indians (Adopted July 14th, 2001)

https://www.ctlb.org/

The National Congress of the American https://www.ncai.org/policy-issues/tribal-governance

National Geographics; Titled “The United States Government’s Relationship with Native

Americans” https://education.nationalgeographic.org/

The Museum of the American Indian Located in Washington D.C