![Approved Pawnee Nation Seal[1085]](https://pawneenation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Approved-Pawnee-Nation-Seal1085-e1609779163393.png "Approved Pawnee Nation Seal[1085]")
PN Constitution Convention Committee List of Delegates
Pawnee Nation Constitution Convention
Nawa, Welcome Convention Delegates. This page will be updated as we move forward with the Constitution Convention. Below is the list of information that will be referenced and reviewed. We will post within the Discord app notices and links to referenced information needed.
If you have any questions, please email us at govdocs@pawneenation.org or at sg1163@pawneenation.org.
We look forward to working with each of you on this important project to make potential revisions to the Constitution of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
Constitution of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma (Click on title to open)
Survey:
The Convention Delegates have created a workgroup to work on suggested revisions to Article III - Membership. The workgroup has created a survey to get your feedback. Click Here to fill out a survey.
Click Here to view the data collected so far from the survey. This data was presented at the Tribal Forum on October 23rd.
![IMG_6055[103]](https://pawneenation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_6055103-300x400.jpg "IMG_6055[103]")
Convention News:
December 4, 2023: The Pawnee Nation Constitution Delegates will continue work this weekend on Articles III, VII, VIII, X and XIII. They are getting the Articles together to present to the Pawnee people.
March 20, 2023: Pawnee Nation Constitution Convention Delegates are continuing work on the following Articles: Article III – Membership and Article VIII – Nasharo Council. Each of the workgroups have been working on surveys/questionnaires to send out to tribal citizens. The surveys will be posted on the Convention website and a link will be sent on all social media. The workgroups are working diligently to gather as much information they can from the tribal membership. If you have not taken the first survey on membership, you may access the document on the Pawnee Nation website at https://pawneenation.org/government/constitution-convention/.
You may also view the recommended revisions for other articles that will be forwarded to the tribal membership for a referendum vote later this year.
Reminder for all Skidi Band members, on Thursday, March 23rd, the Skidi Band will hold their band meeting to talk about Membership. Meeting starts at 5:30 pm at the Pawnee Nation Community Building.
The Delegates of the Convention will have their next meeting on April 15th, 2023. This will be a Convention Floor, In-person meeting. For more information on meeting schedules, please visit the website.
November 13, 2022: The Pawnee Nation’s Constitutional Convention Delegates met November 12, 2022, in their scheduled virtual meeting to discuss issues brought up in the last Tribal Forum of October 22nd. These issues will be discussed at the next In-Person Convention for possible amended changes. Article IX-Courts and Article X-The Bill of Rights were also discussed, as well as revising the calendar for the holidays. The Delegates are giving so much of their time to this process yet don’t want to lose momentum; so there will be one more Public Tribal Forum next Saturday at the Roam Chief Even Center from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and virtually for those who cannot attend in person, this will be last Public Forum of 2022.
All Pawnee citizens are encouraged to contribute their ideas, recommendations, and concerns. Your input will be taken to the next Delegate meeting of December 3rd which will be the last virtual meeting of this year. The three workgroups; Article III-Membership, Article VII-Forfeiture, Recall, Suspension & Removal and Article VIII-Nasharo Council will bring back their revisions to the Delegate’s after the first of the year and another Public Forum will be held after that. If you are a member of the Pawnee Nation and have an interest in these issues; please attend and let your delegation know your concerns.
October 25, 2022: The Pawnee Nation’s Constitutional Convention delegates met October 8th in their regular scheduled virtual meeting to discuss several issues, one the Pawnee Business Council giving an extension for the revision until, January, 2024. This is to allow for more participation from tribal members and more time to research the questions. The delegates voted to move Article V. Duties of the Pawnee Business Council and Article. VI. Vacancies to the Convention Floor as a recommended amendment. The Membership Workgroup gave an update on their findings of the surveys they received so far regarding changing the enrollment for tribal membership. If you are a member and would like to respond to the survey, please call the Executive Office of the Pawnee Nation at (918) 762-3621 to request one in mail, email or where you can find it on the Pawnee Nation’s website at: www.pawneenation.org/constitution-convention/. These surveys will be helpful in drafting the amendment for Article. III. Membership.
The Public Forum of October 15th was rescheduled to October 22nd where delegates met in the morning for their regularly scheduled virtual meeting and then in the afternoon for the Public Forum. During the morning meeting, the delegates created two workgroups for two specific questions; Article. VII. Forfeiture, Recall, Removal, and one for Article. VIII. The Nasharo Council. In the Public Forum that afternoon, the delegates met with the public at the Roam Chief Event Center and virtually for those who could not attend in person. All Pawnee citizens are encouraged to contribute their ideas, recommendations, and concerns. The next Public Forum is scheduled for November 19, 2022 from 1-4pm. If you are a member of the Pawnee Nation and have an interest in these issues; please attend and let the delegation know your concerns.
October 3, 2022: The Constitution Convention is moving along. The Pawnee Nation’s appointed delegates held their first In-Person Convention Meeting on September 24th at the Roam Chief Event Center. Using a delegate system, the purpose of the Convention is to identify and develop recommended changes to update, improve, and strengthen the Constitution. Delegates carry out that work in regularly scheduled working meetings, Convention meetings, and Tribal forums being held throughout this year and into early 2023.
At the September 24 meeting, delegates approved recommended amendments to the Constitution for: (1) the Preamble, (2) Article I (Name), and (3) Article II (Purpose). After completing their review of the entire Constitution, areas of consensus will be identified, and recommended changes will be compiled as proposed amendments to the Constitution; and ultimately those proposals will be presented for a referendum vote of the Pawnee people. As each recommended amendment is developed and approved, such as those approved September 24, it will be posted on the Nation’s website at: www.pawneenation.org/constitution-convention/. To stay informed, citizens can review those proposals on the website.
The next Tribal Forum is October 15 (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm) at the Roam Chief Event Center in person or on-line. It will focus on Article III (Membership) and Article IV (Pawnee Business Council). All Pawnee citizens are encouraged to contribute their ideas, recommendations, and concerns regarding Articles III and IV. Your input is important.
SEPT. 20, 2022—Delegates of the Pawnee Nation Constitutional Convention held the second of five tribal forums this past weekend at the Pawnee Nation Roam Chief Event Center. At the forum, updates on suggested revisions were provided to obtain input from tribal members. These revisions can be viewed on the Pawnee Nation website at www.pawneenation.org.
The next Tribal Forum will be specific to Article Three “Membership” and is set for October 15th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Roam Chief Event Center, in Pawnee, Okla. The Delegates of the Constitution Convention will hold their first in-person meeting this weekend, September 24th and 25th to approve revisions that are ready to be forwarded for the final version, which will be held by referendum vote of the Pawnee membership.
If you would like to tune into the Convention floor proceedings, please send a request to the Pawnee Nation Executive Administrative Manager, Jamie Nelson at jnelson@pawneenation.org or call at 918-762-3621.
| DATE | ACTIVITY | TOPIC(S) |
| Post: 7/8 | ORIENTATION TUTORIAL | A1. Pawnee History tutorial, CRD (Matt Reed) |
| 7/8 | ORIENTATION TUTORIAL | A2. Constitution of the Pawnee Nation (Chad Smith) |
| Post: 7/12 | ORIENTATION TUTORIAL | B1. Tutorial on the Treaties (Walter Echo-Hawk) |
| 7/12 | ORIENTATION TUTORIAL | B2. Purpose of a Constitution Convention (Jay Hannah) |
| 7/12 | ORIENTATION TUTORIAL | B3. Jurisdiction (Lindsay Robertson) |
| Post: 7/15 | ORIENTATION TUTORIAL | C1. Sovereignty and Self Determination (Walter Echo-Hawk) |
| 7/15 | ORIENTATION TUTORIAL | C2. Relationship with other sovereigns (Professor Taiawagi Helton) |
| Post: 7/18 | ORIENTATION TUTORIAL | D. Committee Introductions Process, Respect, Purpose, (Phillip Gover) |
** Please be sure to view each of these Orientation lectures to prepare for the Convention.
CONVENTION RESOURCES:
- Constitution of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
- Tribal Constitution Handbook
- 1937 Constitution and Bylaw
- 1998 Constitution
- Corporate Charter of 1938
- 25 U.S. Code Chapter 15 - Constitutional Rights of Indians
- Public Law 113–4 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013
- Public Law 95-608 Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978
- Public Law 93-638 Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act
- Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act (OIWA) Title 25 Ch 45A PDF or Cornell Law School Link
- PN AG Opinion 2020-07 - Exercise of Executive Power
- PN AG Opinion 2020-08 - Powers of the Chiefs Council
- Oklahoma State University Libraries TRIBAL TREATIES DATABASE
- 1818 Treaty
- 1825 Treaty
- 1833 Treaty
- 1857 Treaty
Convention Delegate Meeting Calendar
| Date | Time | Delegate Discussion |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 28 | 2 PM - 5 PM | Article III - Membership |
| Sept 10 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | Article IV - PBC and V - Duties |
| Sept 24 & 25 | 9 AM - 5 PM | Delegate In-Person Convention Meeting |
| Oct 8 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | Article VI - Vacancies & VII - Recall/Removal |
| Oct 22 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | Article VIII Nasharo Council |
| Nov 5 & 6 | 9 AM - 5 PM | Delegate In-Person Convention Meeting |
| Nov 12 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | IX - Courts & X - Bill of Rights |
| Dec 3 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | Con't Articles IX & X; Review of Articles XI, XII, XIII, XIV, and XV |
| Jan 7 | 9 AM - 5 PM | Delegate In-person Convention Meeting |
| Jan 28 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | Article III - Membership |
| Feb 11 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | Article VII - Forfeiture, Recall, Supension, Removal |
| Feb 25 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | Articles VIII - Nasharo Council |
| Apr 15 | 9 AM - 5 PM | Delegate In-Person Convention Meeting |
| May 20 | 9-12 PM & 1-3 PM | Article X - Bill of Rights |
| Dec 9 | 9 AM - 12 PM |
UPCOMING:
NOTICE OF AGENDA:
The Convention meeting agenda has been set for the weekend of September 24 and 25, 2022. This is the first In-Person Meeting for the Convention Delegates. PN CC 09_24-25_2022_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates Virtual Meeting. Topics of discussion will be Article V - Duties of Officers, Article VI - Vacancies. October 8th, 2022
Convention Delegates Virtual Meeting. Topics of Discussion will be Article V - Duties of Officers, Article VII - Forfeiture, Recall, Suspension, Removal and Article VIII - Nasharo Council. PN CC 10_22_2022_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates Virtual Meeting. Topics of Discussion will be Article IX - Courts, Article X - Bill of Rights, Article XI - Amendments, Article XII - Place of Meetings, XIII - Adoption, Article XIV - Savings Clause, and XV - Severability. PN CC 11_12_2022_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates Virtual Meeting. Topics of discussion will be on the the three workgroups (Article III, VII and VIII), Articles IX - Courts, X - Bill of Rights, XI - Amendments, XII - Meetings, XIII - Adoption, XIV - Savings Clause, and XV - Severability. PN CC 12_03_2022_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates In-Person Convention Floor Meeting. Topics of Discussion are Articles V - Duties of Office, VI - Vacancies, IX - Courts, X - Bill of Rights, XI - Amendments, XII - Place of Meetings, XIII - Adoption, XIV - Savings Clause and XV - Severability. PN CC 01_07_2023_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates Virtual Meeting. Topics of discussion will be Articles III - Membership, VII - Forfeiture, Suspension, Recall, Removal, VIII - Nasharo Council, IX - Courts and X - Bill of Rights. PN CC 01_28_2023_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates Virtual Meeting. Topics of discussion will be on the Workgroup work for Articles III, VII and VIII, Article IX - Courts and X - Bill of Rights. PN CC 02_11_2023_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates Virtual Meeting. Topics of discussion will continue with Articles III, VII, VIII and X. PN CC 02_25_2023_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates In-Person Convention Floor Meeting. Topics will be Articles XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, X and discussion on the workgroups research. PN CC 04_15_2023_Notice of Agenda
Convention Delegates Virtual Meeting. Topics will continue on Articles III, VII, X, XIII. PN CC 12_09_2023_Notice of Agenda
COMMUNITY FORUM CALENDAR:
The Community Forums will be located at the Pawnee Nation Roam Chief Event Center. Please contact the PN Executive Office for more information.
DATE: TIME:
September 18, 2022 1-4 PM
October 22, 2022 1-3 PM
November 19, 2022 1-3 PM
January 14, 2023 1-3 PM RESCHEDULED
March 4, 2023 1-3 PM @ PN Multi-Purpose Building
Proposed Revisions for the Constitution of the Pawnee Nation:
Below are the suggested revisions of the Constitution Convention Committee Delegates for Tribal members to review. In each document you will see the current language, redlined revisions and suggested revisions. If you have any suggestions, ideas, concerns, please email your comments to govdocs@pawneenation.org, talk to any of the delegates, or attend the Community Forums to voice your comments.
Article III - Membership
Article IV - Pawnee Business Council
ARTICLE V - Duties of Officers
Article VII - Forfeiture, Recall, Suspension, Removal (S/S - Current and Revised) (Redlined Version)
Article VIII - Nasharo Council
Article IX - Courts
Article X - Bill of Rights
Constitution Convention Meeting Minutes (Committee Approved)