One of the challenges (and opportunities) of being governed by a Custom Election Code is the function of time. More specifically, the impact of the evolution of a Nation over the fullness of time on the interpretation and application of its Custom Election Code or Regulations. The practice typically is to develop a written set of regulations governing Chief & Council elections based on the customs (or more precisely the modern political expectations of the Nation members of the day)…and then go about pulling the code off the shelf every couple years to conduct the Nations government elections. Eventually, and sooner than most Nations would anticipate, the Custom Election Code becomes dated and increasingly dysfunctional and prone to costly appeals…mostly because it has not been able to evolve at the same pace as the Nations constantly evolving (and often accelerated) changing landscape from both internal and external influences…not to mention an increasingly more sophisticated Nation citizenry or electorate! Over the next few weeks I will explore this challenge facing First Nation’s with Custom Election Codes, and unpack the opportunities also available to Indian Governments to build better Custom Election Codes…including some of the new and modern technologies that can make modern Indian elections more effective and even less expensive.
“The hearts of little children are pure, and therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss.” – Black Elk (Hehaka Sapa) OGLALA LAKOTA
About Lawrence Lewis
I do a number of things professionally...but most of all and the true purpose of what I do through "my work" is to provide for my family, be a good husband and great father, and try to make a difference as a world citizen...I guess it's not much more complicated than that 🙂