Posted on 04/03/2024 7:40:25 PM PDT by DoodleBob
Guest Opinion. On June 15 of this year, Cherokee Nation voters will have an opportunity to call for a review of our entire Constitution, and potentially change it. The decision is consequential.
The Constitution of the Cherokee Nation, adopted by a convention of citizens in 1999 and fully implemented in 2003, requires elected officials to work together to periodically place a single question before the voters: Should we convene a convention to review and possibly change the Constitution?
A “yes” vote on June 15 means you want the entire Constitution reviewed and potentially changed at a convention. That rewritten Constitution would then be returned to the ballot for approval or disapproval by the voters at a later date.
A “no” vote on June 15 keeps our Constitution in place as is.
I, of course, will vote on June 15. As any Cherokee does, I have an opinion on the subject.
I was a delegate to the 1999 Constitutional Convention. I served as a member of the Council of the Cherokee Nation (2007-2013) under the new Constitution. I’ve served in one of the posts created by the Constitution, Secretary of State (2013-2019). And, of course, I have served as Principal Chief since 2019, executing the duties and obligations as the elected chief executive under our Constitution.
During my time in public service, I have seen our Constitution operate up close. It is an amazing document that has served us well. It compels elected officials to conduct the public’s business in a transparent way. It places all three branches of government on a separate but equal plane.
Our Constitution ensures accountably, demands responsibility and strikes a balance that works so well. Our Constitution provides for the equality of our citizens, opportunities for them to redress their grievances and a framework for their government to function efficiently and effectively. This framework has ushered in an unprecedented era of prosperity and the assertion of tribal sovereignty. Our ancestors would be proud.
We do not need a constitutional convention to amend the Constitution, which is another great feature of our current Constitution. The Cherokee people can call for changes and so can the Council (by sending a single amendment to voters). So, if our current Constitution needs amending here or there, we the people have the power to do that as we see fit at any time.
I will be voting “no” on June 15, but I respect those who disagree. Most of all, I encourage everyone to vote on this important question. But, as your Chief, I feel obliged to explain my position.
To me, it comes down to the old saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Our Constitution is not broken. Any issues that may exist in our Constitution can be repaired by individual amendments through a vote of the people, not wholesale changes. A convention invites mass changes where mass changes are not needed.
We now have decades of experience demonstrating that our Constitution works exceptionally well. We are stable. We are growing. Your government officials are responsible, transparent, effective and accountable because our Constitution demands it. Decades of progress and a reputation as one of the most effective governments in the land, and our status as the leader of Indian Country, suggests we should stay the course. A “no” vote on June 15 does just that.
Let me address an issue of some speculation. Public discussion of the vote on a Cherokee Nation constitutional convention has invariably led to questions as to whether I want a convention to repeal term limits. I do not.
Although I philosophically oppose term limits and have said so publicly, the Cherokee people have spoken in favor of term limits. Twice. In both instances, the people favored term limits of two consecutive terms for elected officials. Although I have the energy and desire to serve more terms as your Chief, I would not seek to do this by throwing the whole Constitution open for changes. This office belongs to the people, not to me. After I complete my second term on Aug. 14, 2027, the Cherokee people will have a new leader, the progress will continue and I will return to my role as a private citizen.
So, my message to the Cherokee people is to participate in our democracy, regardless of your opinion, and vote in the June 15 special election. Make your vote a thoughtful one based on your hopes and concerns as well as the interests of your fellow Cherokee Nation citizens. Consider the opportunities to make changes, as well as the perils. Consider that the people always possess the right to make changes to the Constitution as issues arise. Consider whether the Constitution is so “broke” that it needs “fixed” by throwing the entire document open for changes.
I’ll be voting “no” on June 15. I certainly respect those who disagree. No matter the outcome, I will remain faithful to our Constitution, faithful to the Cherokee people and ever optimistic that our best days lay ahead.
Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Here is a real-life opportunity to see what happens in an Article 5-like situation.
It should be worth watching.
Article 5 conventions only have the power to propose amendments that must be approved by the states in the usual manner.
Period.
But you can’t fear-porn that, so lets pretend the entire constitution can be trashed and rewritten in an Article 5 convention.
Um…this is about the Cherokee Nation Constitution. Not the US Federal Constitution.
It’s right there in the first two sentences.
Um... You brought up Article 5 right in your doctored headline.
That was just a mental masturbation thing?
Bookmark.
Does this encompass Oklahoma AND North Carolina
North Carolinian Cherokee appear totally sustainable in and of themselves
What we should do is just follow the Constitution.
In today’s deep-state and printed-fiat-money government - any change to the Constitution is guaranteed to be a disaster for freedom and the Republic.
This only refers to the “Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma”. There are two other official Cherokee tribes: The Keetowah Band of Oklahoma (who arrived before the Trail of Tears) and the North Carolina Cherokee. The Cherokee Nation is the biggest of the three and the one you hear of the most.
He seems to have a pretty good head on his shoulders.
Can anyone think of any particular reason principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, Chuck Hoskin, Jr. can’t run for President of these United States?
https://www.cherokee.org/media/lsufapj1/constitution-of-the-cherokee-nation-1999-online.pdf
Cherokee Nation Constitution of 1999
The Cherokee Nation is not a State of the United States and cannot propose amendments to the U.S. Federal Constitution under Article 5.
This is nothing like an Article V convention. Article V doesn't allow a convention to wholesale rewrite our Constitution the way that the Cherokee Nation constitution apparently does.
-PJ
Cannot speak for the Red Man, but unless we put an end to the Democrats as a legitimate political entity, the changing the Constitution won’t help, as they flat-out IGNORE the present Constitution.
They should do like is done with the US Constitution - just ignore the parts you don’t like.
Ref: Joe Biden, Letitica James, Nancy Pelosi, et al
Yet moron weakness CONservatives could not get their act together when it mattered. I’m not sure they even had 33 states, but regardless republic-nts are stupid and weak and cowardly. When some are ready to actually fight, it will be too late.
The current battles are with the state and particularly with the governor and Hoskin has taken a sometimes unreasonable nationalistic bent. In doing so he has made some unreasonable claims about how well the tribe is doing in law enforcement and cooperation with state and locals. I see not so much. I also see the tribe just sowing seeds of jurisdictional confusion not helping matters. McGirt has been no friend of the state but has raised tribal militancy to highs not seen since the Indians took over Alcatraz.
Who is presidential timber? Surely not everyone and surely we can do much better and not much worse than the current buffoon in the white hut.
I'll be voting no for the Article 5 and in support of term limits.
The North Carolina Cherokee are the ones that didn’t agree to travel The Trail Of Tears to Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Cherokee are the ones that went along to get along. They are two different Cherokee governments. What one does has no effect on what the other does.
For those who still wail about the Trail of Tears..
Yes!
Some humans ought be declared enslavable and killable.
Enshrine slavery and abortion in one ammendment. Then we can compete with the Chinese as we bring these new immmigrants in and enslave them.
The Cherokee Nation should have their own state, as was promised by the Confederate States of America. The CSA granted the Cherokee citizenship in the CSA (something the USA would not do till 1920). They even had representation in the CSA Congress in Richmond. But the south lost the war and the victorious Federals took a sweet revenge upon the Rebel Native Americans. The highest rank issued to Black Federal troops was Master Sargent. The Highest rank given to Native Americans in the Confederate army was Brigadier General.
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