Constitutional reform surveys submitted

Scott Csernyik

6/27/2002 12:00:00 AM

About 750 surveys concerning constitutional reform were returned by adult Saginaw Chippewa Tribal members.

The nine-page survey was mailed to 2,175 individuals on June 3. Members who returned the completed survey were automatically entered in a drawing for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Dr. Ray Christie and Dr. Won Paik from Central Michigan University's Institutional Research Department are expected to present the results at Tribal Council's regular session on July 2, according to Public Relations Director Joe Sowmick.

Christie said on June 26 that 740 surveys were returned by the June 17 deadline date. He said three dozen of these were submitted anonymous and would probably not be used in the tabulating process.

Proponents of a new constitution say this reform is necessary to solve membership problems and create a balance of power. Opponents to the more comprehensive amendments originally proposed in the King v. Norton lawsuit claim the document is loaded with inherent legal problems and would dramatically change Tribal membership.

The survey appears to reflect a compromise position which focuses on a smaller number of possible amendments. The survey also included an introduction about why the membership's opinions were being solicited.

"This spring the Tribal Council initiated a series of discussions with the King plaintiffs to explore whether they would be willing to submit a different set of proposed changes (and fewer changes) to the existing constitution," stated Chief Maynard Kahgegab Jr. in a May 31 letter accompanying the survey. "While that process is not complete, these discussions have progressed to the point that the council can now seek the community's views on the primary changes which may be presented for your vote in the pending secretarial election, with BIA approval."

Adult members were asked "yes" or "no" to 30 questions covering myriad topics from four-year staggered terms to adding a membership "bill of rights."

The survey also asked if members would support the following:

-Create an independent judiciary as a separate branch of the Tribal government;

-Strengthen the Tribe's civil jurisdiction over non-Indians and remove unnecessary references to federal law; and

-Increase the Tribal Council to 16 based on 10 representatives for District 1, two for District 2 (Saganing) and four positions for District 3 (At-Large).

Other questions concerned the enrollment process, enrollment review, membership and proof of blood quantum.