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Tribal Government
Our Mission To Support Tribal Governance
At Indian Country Legal Services, our mission is to strengthen tribal self-governance by supporting the development and enhancement of tribal institutions. We recognize the complexity and sovereignty of tribal governments — each with its own unique legal, cultural, and administrative framework. While few organizations possess both the legal and practical knowledge required to navigate federal Indian law alongside tribal law, we bring the expertise needed to help tribes govern effectively. Our services focus on tribal constitution reform, ordinance drafting, election law, traffic codes, BIA program reviews, and tribal court assessments — empowering tribal nations to lead with clarity, compliance, and cultural integrity.
Tribal Constitution Reform
Tribal constitution reform is a powerful tool of self-determination. Whether updating colonial-era documents or drafting a new constitution that reflects the modern vision and cultural values of the Nation, we support tribes throughout every phase of the reform process.
Our team assists with:
Full constitutional redrafts
Amendments and modernization
Public education and community engagement
Drafting procedures for referenda and tribal approval
Legal review for federal compliance, including PL 93-638 contracts and Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) requirements
Facilitating meetings with tribal councils, elders, and stakeholders
We recognize that tribal constitutions are more than governance tools — they are living documents that express the identity, sovereignty, and values of the Nation. Our approach is culturally respectful, legally sound, and tribally led.
Tribal Law/Ordinance Reform
Every tribal nation deserves a legal framework that reflects its sovereignty, values, and community needs. We assist tribes in drafting, updating, and organizing their laws and ordinances to ensure they are enforceable, culturally relevant, and consistent with tribal goals.
Our support includes:
Drafting new ordinances from scratch or revising outdated ones
Comprehensive code reform projects
Review for consistency with tribal constitutions and federal law
Development of traffic, criminal, civil, and administrative codes
Facilitating stakeholder input and public comment processes
Organizing codes into accessible, enforceable formats
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every ordinance we draft is tailored to reflect the traditions, priorities, and unique government structure of the Nation we’re working with. Whether your government is IRA-based or follows traditional leadership, we help bring legal clarity to tribal governance.