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Tribal Governance & Leadership Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow At the time of the founding of the U. S. Government, traditional Native governments looked very different from European forms in several ways:
There were formal, ceremonial methods for making sure that the various local governments within a tribe agreed (formed a consensus) about how to handle “national” issues dealing with such things as trade, alliance and warfare. Everyone worked together for the "common good," which was felt to be more important than individual wants or rights. Strength as a nation came from being part of the people—the community. President Kennedy’s challenge to the United States in his inaugural address in 1961 echoed these sentiments, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country.” Over the years for historical, political, socioeconomic and technological reasons, life has gotten a great deal more complicated both within Indian communities and in society generally. As tribes have struggled with years of oppression and poverty, much of the strength of traditional ways has been over-shadowed by just trying to survive. The good news is that tribal governments have always been dynamic and
able to adapt to new conditions. Those that are most successful combine
new ways with old, culturally appropriate ways to solve classic human
problems. Purpose of Government
A Desire for the Future What is the future that your tribal government is creating? Andrew Lee went on to say that the future should be aimed at:
Based Chapters 1 & 4 of Youth for Tribal Government, by Kirke Kickingbird and Lynn Shelby Kickingbird. |
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