Tulsa World: Creeks to hold historic meeting

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Creeks to hold historic meeting
The tribe will hold its first constitu- tional convention in at least a century this weekend.

By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer
Published: 11/6/2008 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 11/6/2008 3:01 AM

View a PDF of the ballot for proposed amendments to the Creek Nation Constitution: tulsaworld. com/proposed amendments

The tribe will hold its first constitu- tional convention in at least a century this weekend.

OKMULGEE — A historic exercise in American Indian government will take place this week in Okmulgee as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation holds its first constitutional convention in at least 100 years.

The tribe's leaders drafted a constitution in 1979, and amendments to that document must go through its council.

Tribal leaders believe that a convention of this type has not been held since the 19th century.

The convention on Friday and Saturday will let tribal citizens decide on more than 100 proposed amendments to the constitution.

Sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Mound Auditorium at the Creek Nation Tribal Capitol Complex.

A total of 122 proposed amendments are up for consideration by tribal delegates.

Proposals include a change to the constitutional preamble and the elimination of tribal rights and entitlements to current citizens who are less than one-quarter Creek Indian.

The convention is not open to nontribal members or the media.

All tribal citizens who are registered to vote in the Creek Nation are eligible to be convention delegates.

They must register to participate and must present tribal citizenship, voter registration cards and photo identification.

Proposed amendments that are approved by delegates are destined for a special election, which will be scheduled by Principal Chief A.D. Ellis.

The convention is a unique and "monumental" moment for the tribe, said Patrick E. Moore, a district judge for the tribe who sat on the constitutional convention committee.

"I would like to encourage as many people who want to come to the Capitol those two days and participate in the changing of their laws," Moore said.

"Constitutions are for the people to make the laws, and they're supposed to tell the government what to do. This is a time for people to come in and voice their opinions."

About three years ago, voters passed an amendment stating that the tribe would hold a constitutional convention.

But subsequent litigation held up the convention for nearly a year, Moore said.

After the court case was closed, the 11-person constitution convention committee began gathering proposed amendments and planning for the convention.

Each voter received a form to submit an amendment by Aug. 29.

The panel received about 167 proposals, but some were rejected because of issues such as verifying the author's tribal citizenship. Some were combined with similar proposals, Moore said.

After the convention, a commission has 60 days to write a report to the tribe's election board, which will begin preparing special election ballots.

Although the convention is scheduled to last only through Saturday, it could continue into Sunday, Moore said.

"We're plowing new land right now," he said. "We've never done this before."

Clifton Adcock 581-8462
clifton.adcock@tulsaworld.com By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment car2back, (11/6/2008 1:13:39 PM) Native Americans- The only minority that has to prove they're who they are. Sad that the Muscogee nation is buying into the white mans' idea of blood quantum makes you an Indian or not.
	Report Comment Ayo2, T-Town (11/6/2008 5:00:38 PM) car2back, No, as it is right now if you can trace your descendancy back to the Dawes Rolls then you can enroll. One does have to be at least 1/4 to be able to run for office, and to qualify for some things such as college financial assistance. But, that too, is income based just as the federal grants are.
	Report Comment car2back, Tulsa (11/9/2008 8:28:16 AM) Hmm, I took the article to mean that all tribal rights and entitlements would be eliminated for anyone not 1/4 Creek blood?

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