Cherokee Government By EJ Kornhauser
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Government is unique because of its status as a Federal Trust Indian Reservation. For over 100 years the Eastern Band was recognized as a unit of government separate from the larger group of Cherokee people known as the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Although a trust relationship is maintained with the Federal Government, the Tribal Government has more self-governing authority and is extremely conscious of developing and maintaining their powers, which at one point were at risk.
The Tribal Government works in the way in which they rely heavily on revenues such as: A levy tax on all items sold on the Reservation, federal grant programs, contracts and Tribal Enterprises. The Eastern Band’s Gaming Industry first began in 1988 with bingo - a casino then opened in 1997. Profits from the casino are divided 50/50 between the Tribal Government and its enrolled members. Payments to children are held in a trust fund. If they complete high school, they receive payment when then turn 18 years of age.
Gaming is monitored through a pact between the tribe and the Governor of North Carolina. The Tribal Government consists of a Tribal Council (legislative branch), Principle Chief, Vice Chief, and Executive Advisor (executive branch), a Chief Justice and Magistrates (judicial branch.) The Principle Chief and the Vice Chief are elected at large for four-year terms. Federal crimes committed on tribal land fall under the jurisdiction of U.S Marshals, and cases are tried in federal court in Bryson City.
By right, sovereign governments define who its citizen-members are. In the United States, Native American tribes, as sovereign nations, set their own requirements and parameters for membership. In a sense, many Native Americans possess something akin to dual citizenship. They are citizens of the United States, a sovereign nation, and also members of their respective tribes, also sovereign nations. Much like American citizens, Cherokees run an efficient and sturdy government, which thrives, on the economy to support their small community.
For more information see: Native Americans - Cherokee
Sources of information included Readings from Cherokee Lesson Plans made by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian of Cherokee, North Carolina.
http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/
and http://www.nativeamericans.com/Cherokee.htm
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Government is unique because of its status as a Federal Trust Indian Reservation. For over 100 years the Eastern Band was recognized as a unit of government separate from the larger group of Cherokee people known as the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Although a trust relationship is maintained with the Federal Government, the Tribal Government has more self-governing authority and is extremely conscious of developing and maintaining their powers, which at one point were at risk.
The Tribal Government works in the way in which they rely heavily on revenues such as: A levy tax on all items sold on the Reservation, federal grant programs, contracts and Tribal Enterprises. The Eastern Band’s Gaming Industry first began in 1988 with bingo - a casino then opened in 1997. Profits from the casino are divided 50/50 between the Tribal Government and its enrolled members. Payments to children are held in a trust fund. If they complete high school, they receive payment when then turn 18 years of age.
Gaming is monitored through a pact between the tribe and the Governor of North Carolina. The Tribal Government consists of a Tribal Council (legislative branch), Principle Chief, Vice Chief, and Executive Advisor (executive branch), a Chief Justice and Magistrates (judicial branch.) The Principle Chief and the Vice Chief are elected at large for four-year terms. Federal crimes committed on tribal land fall under the jurisdiction of U.S Marshals, and cases are tried in federal court in Bryson City.
By right, sovereign governments define who its citizen-members are. In the United States, Native American tribes, as sovereign nations, set their own requirements and parameters for membership. In a sense, many Native Americans possess something akin to dual citizenship. They are citizens of the United States, a sovereign nation, and also members of their respective tribes, also sovereign nations. Much like American citizens, Cherokees run an efficient and sturdy government, which thrives, on the economy to support their small community.
For more information see: Native Americans - Cherokee
Sources of information included Readings from Cherokee Lesson Plans made by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian of Cherokee, North Carolina.
http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/
and http://www.nativeamericans.com/Cherokee.htm
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