Constitution Commission Survey #2

Constitution Commission Survey #2
Caddo Enrollment Number*
(Last 5 digits only)
Zip Code*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
In general, a constitution is an agreement among a people about how their government should be run. It is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents which defines the structure, powers and responsibilities of a government and guarantees certain rights to its citizens. It reflects the values of the people by stating who is considered a citizen, what rights and responsibilities those citizens have, how those rights are defended and how those responsibilities are enforced. Common sections of a constitution include: a Bill of Rights, the definition of a citizen, how to structure the government, how government officials are elected, appointed or removed, and how changes to the constitution are made.

Please complete this 15-question survey on the following constitutional topics: Enrollment Criteria, Bill of Rights, and Structure of the Government. If you’d like to view the full Caddo Constitution, click here and scroll to the bottom of the webpage.

At the end of the survey, there will be a text box in which you can add any comments or questions about these topics or anything you feel we missed.

Current Caddo enrollment criteria:
1. Any person who is at least 1/16 Indian blood AND is descended from an original Caddo allottee AND is not enrolled in another Tribe is eligible for enrollment. Dual citizenship with another Tribe is not allowed.
2. There are also provisions for adoption and those enrolled before June 26, 1976
1. Should the Caddo Nation make changes to the blood quantum requirement for enrollment in any of the following ways? (Select one)

No changeEliminate blood quantum and use descendancy onlyLower the blood quantum requirement from 1/16 to 1/32 Indian blood or less to become enrolled.Raise the blood quantum requirement from 1/16 to 1/8 Indian blood or more to become enrolled. This could lead to the disenrollment of current members.
Current Caddo Nation Bill of Rights:
1. We have freedom of worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly, and association
2. The Nation cannot abridge the rights of its citizens granted by the US or Oklahoma governments and the Nation adheres to the provisions of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968
3. The Caddo constitution cannot alter or abridge the property rights of a member without the consent of the member.
4. Please refer to the full constitution for details.
2. Should the Caddo Nation consider altering our Bill of Rights?

YesNo
3. If you voted Yes, what would you include?
250 word limit
Current Caddo citizen representation:

The Tribal Council currently has four (4) District Representatives: Binger, Anadarko, Fort Cobb, and Oklahoma City. These four districts represent approximately 23% of Caddo citizens 18 years or older. The remaining 77% have no direct representation on the Tribal Council. Although the current Caddo constitution allows for more districts, there is currently no requirement to represent all citizens regardless of where they live.
4. Should the Caddo Nation make changes to how citizens are represented?

Redistricting in all 4 current districts by Caddo population size. No representation of citizens in other parts of Oklahoma or out of state.Redistrict Oklahoma to districts based on Caddo population size, no representation outside of OklahomaRedistrict the United States based on Caddo population size, providing equal representation regardless of locationEliminate geographic representation in favor of all at-large representativesNo change in Representation
5. Do you have other ideas of how Caddo citizens should be represented?
250 word limit
6. Should we update the name of our tribe to Caddo Nation instead of Caddo Nation of Oklahoma?

YesNo
7. Should the Caddo Nation change the name of enrolled members to enrolled citizens?

YesNo
Current Caddo government structure:

A single branch consisting of the Tribal Council with all powers to conduct business, pass ordinances, appoint committees, appoint the Election Board, and enter into inter-tribal affiliations. Please refer to the full constitution for details.

Some examples of government branches are: Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Tribal Council, Cultural Advisory Council, Matriarch Council, Youth Council, Elder Council, Business Council
8. How should the Caddo Nation Government be structured?

No change – One branch consisting of the Tribal CouncilTwo branchesThree branchesFour branches or more
9. What branches of government would you include?
10. How do you want voter registration to work? Check all that apply

All citizens over the age of 18 are automatically registered without restrictionsAll citizens over the age of 18 submit a registration form onceAll citizens over 18 automatically registered and require any ID to registerAll citizens over 18 automatically registered and require Caddo Nation ID to registerAll citizens over the age of 18 without violent felonies registered automaticallyInclude voting enrollment with census to update voting registrationFill out registration every 5 years and use Voter ID cardsEnrollment offices maintain voting listsElection Board maintain voting listsNo change to current voter registration procedure
11. How should the Caddo Nation incorporate our culture into the constitution? Check all that apply

Require Caddo cultural preservationMake the Caddo language a right for all citizensInclude Caddo language in the constitutionRequire branches of governance to consider traditional valuesRequire elected officials to abide, protect and promote culture and provide access to all Caddo citizensInclude the right to assemble for any ceremonial practicesRequire all elected officials to attend at least one Caddo dance per year they are in office
12. How else can the constitution include Caddo culture?
The Caddo constitution currently does not reflect our sovereignty by requiring approval from the United States government.
13. Should the Caddo constitution strike any reference, wording, or authority to any federal or state agency currently mentioned in the Caddo constitution?

YesNo
14: Should the constitution protect all waterways, aquifers, watersheds, and bodies of water in Caddo tribal jurisdiction, in trust or ancestral lands?

YesNo
15: Should the constitution protect all lands, including mounds, forests, canyons, trails and prairies in Caddo tribal jurisdiction, in trust or ancestral lands?

YesNo
Thank you for participating in the Caddo Constitution Commission’s second survey. The commissioners are looking forward to including your recommendations in our report to the Tribal Council.
Do you have any additional comments or suggestions for the Caddo Constitution Commission?
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