Marshall Memorial Fellowship: Reestablishing Inter-Tribal Collaboration in the U.S. through the Example of the European Union

Photo: Diliff

There are approximately two million Indigenous people in the United States represented by 567 federally recognized Tribal nations, yet our rights and issues are often grouped together and addressed under one umbrella by the federal government as American Indian policies. I am from the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires nation).  The Oceti Sakowin was comprised of seven groups, called Oyates, that are now represented by numerous Tribal Nations on various Indian Reservations. The Oglala Sioux Tribe is one of these Tribal Nations. Historically, and prior to colonial invasion, the Oceti Sakowin engaged in consensus-based decision making processes on behalf of, and for, the people of the Seven Council Fires. The best interests of the people and the entire nation were always at the forefront of the decisions. Balancing the interests of the Seven Council Fires with the interests of each Oyate was undertaken with tremendous thoughtfulness and wisdom.  

Today, there are several national and international organizations advocating for indigenous rights on various national and international platforms, but this advocacy is often pursued from a broad indigenous and American Indian perspective. The Oceti Sakowin currently does not operate through the same mechanisms previously utilized.  Individual Tribal Nations of the Oceti Sakowin often find themselves advocating and fighting for the rights of their citizens on a more solitary landscape. There are some efforts to increase communication between the nations of the Oceti Sakowin, but nothing formalized in policy, process, or implementation. 

During my Marshall Memorial Fellowship in Europe, I was enthralled by the European Union’s structure, processes, and purpose.  I believe the Oceti Sakowin would benefit from implementing, or perhaps reestablishing, something similar to the EU.  Doing so would provide a mechanism to align interests and increase advocacy for the nations of the Oceti Sakowin at the  national and international level. 

Indeed, many of the practices employed traditionally by the Oceti Sakowin were similar to current EU operations: consensus-based; policies implemented by all member states that benefit and align with overall EU goals; oversight and accountability across all sectors of society. The design and implementation of an “EU-style” oversight mechanism, therefore, would align innately with the culture and traditions for our people. 

During the course of colonization, oppression, and assimilation, my people and the people of the Oceti Sakowin,became separate and discontinued operating as one nation with united interests.  Uniting all Tribal nations of the Oceti Sakowin in a formal and organized way will only strengthen the advocacy and power of each member nation (Oglala Sioux Tribe being one of the member nations). The EU-type structure would also provide for greater accountability of the member nations and would empower citizens from each member nation to hold their governments and institutions accountable.  

Tatewin Means, Attorney General, Oglala Sioux Tribe, is a spring 2016 Marshall Memorial Fellow.