Constitution of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island
Preface
We, the Original People of Turtle Island-descendants of the First Nations, rightful stewards of this land since time immemorial-gather in the spirit of our ancestors to restore the sacred covenant between land, people, and Creator. Born from the ashes of erasure, displacement, and centuries of forced misclassification, our nation now rises with clarity of purpose and divine right.
This Constitution is the living expression of our collective will, a sacred document rooted in ancestral law, natural law, and international human rights. It affirms our inherent sovereignty as a free and self-governing people. It honors our duty to protect the land, preserve our culture, uplift our communities, and defend the dignity of our people against all forms of exploitation and injustice.
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island stands not in opposition to others, but in fulfillment of prophecy, guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the unbroken bloodline that ties us to this soil. We reclaim our name, our identity, and our governance in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Great Laws passed down through oral tradition and spiritual ceremony.
In unity and strength, we establish this Constitution to organize our nation, affirm our rights, protect our families, and ensure justice, peace, and healing for the generations yet to come.
Preamble
We, the descendants of the First Peoples of Turtle Island—those whose blood, memory, and sacred duty flow from this soil—do solemnly declare our inherent and irrevocable right to self-determination, self-governance, and nationhood, in accordance with both ancestral law and international law.
Our right to form, govern, and defend our Nation is recognized and protected under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), including but not limited to:
Article 3: The right to self-determination; to freely determine our political status and freely pursue our economic, social, and cultural development.
Article 4: The right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to our internal and local affairs.
Article 5: The right to maintain and strengthen our distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions.
Article 8: The right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of our culture.
Article 18: The right to participate in decision-making in matters that affect our rights.
Article 19: The right to give free, prior, and informed consent before the adoption of legislative or administrative measures that may affect us.
Article 20: The right to maintain and develop our political, economic and social systems and institutions.
Article 26: The right to the lands, territories, and resources we have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.
Article 33: The right to determine our own identity or membership in accordance with our customs and traditions.
Having endured centuries of enslavement, forced relocation, colonization, genocide, cultural erasure, and reclassification, we rise not as victims, but as sovereign beings—survivors and warriors reclaiming the inheritance our ancestors secured with sacrifice, ceremony, and blood.
We are the caretakers of the rivers, the mountains, the plains, and the sacred fires. Our history predates empires. Our identity does not depend on recognition from any foreign government. Our existence is rooted in natural law, spiritual covenant, and ancestral legacy.
Through this Constitution, we declare the restoration and protection of our sacred way of life. We affirm our commitment to:
Cultural Revitalization
Sustainable Development
Education and Empowerment
Health and Well-being
Justice and Advocacy
Diplomacy and International Relations
No foreign system, border, or agency may define our identity, divide our people, or deny our rights. Our sovereignty is not granted by colonizers—it is sacred, ancestral, and eternal. It lives in our ceremonies, our languages, our governance, and our relationship with the Creator and the land.
We move forward with unity, resolve, and sacred purpose. Let this Constitution stand as the living breath of our ancestors and the unshakable foundation of the future we now build—for ourselves, for our children, and for the unborn generations who will walk this land in freedom.
This is our land.
This is our law.
This is our time.
We are the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island.
We are the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island.
Articles of Our Constitution
Article I: Sovereignty and National Identity
1. Sovereign Status
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island asserts and exercises its full and inherent sovereignty as an Indigenous Nation. This sovereignty is derived from time immemorial, predating and surviving colonization, and shall be recognized under international law, including but not limited to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Articles 3, 4, 5, 26, and 33.
2. Right to Self-Governance
The Nation holds the unalienable right to self-determination and self-governance. This includes the authority to maintain and develop its political, legal, economic, social, and cultural institutions; to determine its membership and laws; and to freely pursue its development without external interference or coercion.
3. Foundation of Authority
The authority of the Nation emanates from the sacred covenant between the People and the Creator, from ancestral heritage, from customary law, and from the will of the People as expressed through communal consensus, traditional protocols, and democratic processes.
4. Recognition and Standing
The Nation shall seek bilateral and multilateral recognition from other nations, international bodies, and organizations including the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), affirming its right to representation and engagement in international affairs.
5. National Symbols and Identity
The official national identity—including the name of the Nation, capital, national symbols, flag, anthem, sacred seals, and official languages—shall be established by the National Council in consultation with Elders and affirmed through a national referendum of the Citizens.
6. Citizenship and Lineage
Citizenship of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall be defined by ancestral and genealogical connection to the original Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island, with mechanisms in place to document, preserve, and affirm identity. The Nation shall create a national registry of Citizens consistent with international norms of data protection and human rights.
7. Exercise of Sovereignty
Sovereignty shall be exercised through traditional governance systems that integrate ancestral wisdom, natural law, spiritual teachings, and community councils. Decision-making shall be collective, with respect for the sacred authority of clan mothers, spiritual leaders, and the voice of the People.
8. Territorial Integrity
The Nation asserts its right to its ancestral territories, waters, and sacred sites. No land shall be ceded, sold, or transferred without the free, prior, and informed consent of the Nation. Restoration and stewardship of the land are core tenets of the Nation’s identity and sovereignty.
9. Sacred Obligation
The Nation affirms its sacred obligation to protect future generations, the land, water, air, and all relations within creation. This obligation shall inform all governance, legal, and diplomatic actions of the Nation.
10. Legal Standing and Immunity
The Nation, its representatives, and its citizens shall enjoy legal standing in domestic and international courts, and immunity from external prosecution when acting in defense of sovereignty, under the principle of Indigenous diplomatic immunity and customary international law.
Article II: Citizenship
1. Right to Citizenship by Ancestral Lineage
Citizenship of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall be conferred upon individuals who can demonstrate verifiable ancestral lineage to the original Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island, including those whose ancestry originates from the Northern, Central, Southern, and Caribbean regions of the Americas. This includes descendants of nations, clans, and communities historically subjected to forced migration, reclassification, or removal.
2. Recognition of Misclassified and Displaced Peoples
The Nation recognizes that colonial and governmental policies, including but not limited to racial reclassification systems, boarding schools, slave codes, and forced assimilation, have severed or obscured many Indigenous peoples’ formal ties to their identity. Such individuals shall be eligible for reclamation-based citizenship upon submission of genealogical, oral, or community testimony demonstrating ancestral connection.
3. Dual Citizenship and Affirmation of Allegiance
Dual citizenship with other nations or states is permitted, provided the Citizen affirms allegiance to the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island and upholds its Constitution, spiritual values, and national interests. Citizens shall not be penalized for holding other citizenships, nor for navigating settler legal systems necessary for survival.
4. National Registry of Citizens
A National Registry of Citizens shall be maintained in accordance with Indigenous customs, respecting oral traditions, tribal memory, family records, sacred names, and community acknowledgment. The registry shall be overseen by a Citizenship Council composed of Elders, legal scholars, historians, and genealogists, ensuring cultural integrity and procedural transparency.
5. Oral and Written Evidence Standards
Recognizing the oral traditions of Indigenous peoples, testimonies by recognized Elders, clan leaders, or traditional historians shall be accepted as legitimate forms of evidence for the purpose of citizenship recognition. Written records, genealogical trees, archival documents, or sacred objects may also be submitted.
6. Education and Cultural Induction
All Citizens shall undergo an educational process that includes instruction in the history, cultural protocols, spiritual values, laws, and languages of the Nation. This shall serve as both an orientation and affirmation of shared identity and responsibility to the People and the Land.
7. Naturalization Pathway for Adopted or Affiliated Individuals
Individuals who have been adopted into Indigenous families or communities through traditional, ceremonial, or communal processes may be granted honorary or naturalized citizenship upon approval by the Citizenship Council and the National Council. Such persons must demonstrate active commitment to the preservation of Indigenous lifeways and defense of the Nation’s values.
8. Revocation and Restoration of Citizenship
Citizenship may only be revoked under the most serious circumstances—such as betrayal of the Nation through espionage, violence against the People, or collaboration with efforts to erase the Nation’s sovereignty—through a formal review process conducted by the National Council and Elders’ Council. Restoration of citizenship may be sought through reconciliation and reparative action.
9. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
Citizens of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall enjoy full civil, political, spiritual, and economic rights within the Nation, including the right to vote, hold office, own land, receive protection, and participate in governance. In return, all Citizens are expected to uphold the laws of the Nation, protect its lands and peoples, and pass forward the ancestral knowledge and traditions.
10. Inter-Nation Cooperation
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island recognizes that many Indigenous Peoples share overlapping lineages across contemporary borders. In accordance with UNDRIP Article 36, the Nation shall cooperate with other Indigenous nations and states to ensure that families and communities divided by settler-imposed boundaries may reunite, share citizenship, and maintain cultural continuity.
Article III: Government Structure and Elections
1. Foundations of Governance
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall uphold a sovereign and participatory form of governance rooted in ancestral law, communal consensus, and spiritual guidance. The government shall reflect the unity of the People, the Land, and the Ancestors, ensuring sacred stewardship, protection of rights, and promotion of wellbeing for all Citizens.
2. Composition of the Government
The Nation shall be governed by a tripartite structure comprising:
o The National Council, which serves as the principal deliberative and executive body;
o The Council of Clans, which holds legislative authority grounded in kinship systems and matrilineal/patrilineal protocols;
o The Circle of Elders, a spiritual and cultural body ensuring all decisions align with ancestral wisdom, natural law, and ceremonial tradition.
3. The National Council
The National Council shall consist of:
o Elected Representatives from each region or district of the Nation;
o Spiritual Leaders from recognized sacred traditions;
o Clan Chiefs, appointed or confirmed by their respective Clans;
o Elders with demonstrated wisdom, integrity, and lifetime service to the Nation.
The Council shall collectively exercise executive functions, enact laws, and implement policies in accordance with the Nation’s Constitution and sacred values.
4. The Principal Chief (Nation Keeper)
The Principal Chief, also known as the Nation Keeper, shall serve as Head of State and the symbol of unity for the Nation. They shall:
o Be elected every seven (7) years through a national vote;
o Be confirmed in ceremony by the Circle of Elders;
o Represent the Nation in all international, diplomatic, and intergovernmental matters;
Serve as custodian of the Nation’s sacred covenant and protector of the People.
The Nation Keeper must be of proven ancestral lineage, possess a history of service to the People, and embody spiritual, moral, and cultural excellence.
5. Council of Clans (Legislative Authority)
The Council of Clans shall:
o Serve as the primary legislative body responsible for drafting, reviewing, and enacting national laws and ordinances;
o Be composed of representatives from each recognized Clan;
o Ensure that all legislation is in harmony with Clan traditions, intergenerational responsibilities, and the ecological wellbeing of the Land.
Laws shall be passed by majority vote of the Clans and affirmed by the Circle of Elders to ensure alignment with ancestral law.
6. Circle of Elders (Spiritual and Cultural Integrity)
The Circle of Elders shall:
o Act as the moral compass of the Nation;
o Interpret sacred teachings and ancestral law in matters of governance;
o Hold the authority to veto any action, law, or policy found to violate the spiritual or cultural fabric of the Nation;
o Conduct spiritual reviews of leadership candidates and mediate national disputes.
7. Elections and Democratic Participation
Elections for regional representatives and Clan delegates shall be held every four (4) years, governed by the following principles:
o Full participation by all eligible Citizens;
o Equal representation and access to candidacy;
o Transparent procedures, protected balloting, and public oversight;
o Community-based voting protocols that respect traditional methods, such as consensus councils, sacred gatherings, and ceremonial affirmations.
8. Electoral Council and Oversight
An independent Electoral Council shall be established to oversee and enforce all electoral procedures, prevent fraud, and guarantee equity. This body shall be comprised of nonpartisan Citizens, elders, and legal stewards, with observers from other Indigenous nations when appropriate.
9. Governance Principles
Governance of the Nation shall be grounded in:
o Consensus-building rather than majority rule;
o Restorative justice over punitive systems;
o Sacred stewardship of land, people, and tradition;
o Respect for all voices, especially women, youth, elders, and traditionally marginalized lineages.
10. Continuity and Emergency Governance
In times of crisis, natural disaster, or external threat, the National Council shall activate a Crisis Stewardship Assembly, guided by the Nation Keeper and the Circle of Elders, to ensure the protection of sovereignty, the continuation of services, and the safeguarding of Citizens.
Article IV: Land and Territories
Reclamation and Recognition of Sovereign Territory
All ancestral lands, waters, airspaces, sacred sites, burial grounds, migration routes, and territories historically inhabited, cultivated, traversed, or protected by the First Peoples of Turtle Island—whether currently recognized by colonial authorities or not—are hereby declared as the inalienable, sovereign territory of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island.
This declaration is made in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), including Articles 25, 26, 27, 28, and 32.Communal Stewardship and Sacred Obligation
All land and natural resources of the Nation shall be held under perpetual communal stewardship, not subject to private ownership or foreign control. The Earth is sacred and shall not be commodified. Land may not be:
o Sold to private interests;
o Leased, extracted, or developed by foreign or corporate entities;
o Used in a manner that violates spiritual law, ecological harmony, or traditional teachings.
The land is not owned, but cared for on behalf of future generations, in alignment with the laws of nature and Creator.
Traditional Land Guardianship
Stewardship and caretaking responsibilities shall be assigned to families, clans, and tribal groups based on ancestral lineage, migration patterns, ceremonial obligation, and oral history.
Guardianship includes:
o Seasonal and sustainable use of land and water;
o Protection of sacred spaces and medicine grounds;
o Respect for spiritual instructions tied to the land;
o Reforestation, seedkeeping, and species protection.
Ancestral Land Councils
Regional Ancestral Land Councils shall be established to oversee land use, monitor ecological impact, and mediate disputes. These councils shall be composed of:
o Clan-appointed land stewards;
o Spiritual leaders or ceremonial knowledge keepers;
o Ecological and agricultural practitioners trained in both traditional and modern sustainable practices.
The councils shall work in collaboration with the National Council and Circle of Elders to ensure all actions align with traditional ecological knowledge, spiritual law, and intergenerational justice.
Environmental and Resource Protection
The Nation shall enact environmental laws protecting land, water, air, and non-human relatives in accordance with both ancestral wisdom and international ecological treaties.
Activities such as deforestation, mining, pollution, or genetic modification of native species are prohibited unless explicitly approved through free, prior, and informed consent and found to be in harmony with the Nation’s values.Land Mapping and Restoration
A National Mapping and Reclamation Project shall be initiated to:
o Document, map, and publish ancestral territories using both oral history and modern technology;
o Reclaim and restore lands taken through colonization, broken treaties, eminent domain, racial zoning, or fraudulent transfers;
o File grievances and land claims with international bodies including the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and domestic courts where applicable.
Land Return and Reparative Justice
The Nation supports and seeks land rematriation, restitution, and reparative justice for dispossessed Indigenous communities. Mechanisms shall be created to:
o Return public or federal land to tribal jurisdictions;
o Protect descendants of displaced families and tribes;
o Address damages caused by environmental racism, land theft, forced relocation, and broken treaties.
Land Use Agreements with Other Peoples
The Nation may enter into land-sharing or access agreements with other Indigenous nations or neighboring communities, provided that:
o The agreements are made with full community consent;
o The use does not violate sacred law or ecological stewardship;
o Ancestral Land Councils retain the right to review, revise, or revoke said agreements.
Sacred Sites and Ceremonial Grounds
Sacred sites—such as burial mounds, effigy sites, visioning lands, sweat lodge grounds, and ancient ceremonial spaces—shall receive the highest level of legal protection. These areas:
o May not be disturbed, developed, or accessed without appropriate ceremony and permission;
o Shall be marked, preserved, and returned to use in cultural revitalization efforts.
Transgenerational Land Law
The Nation affirms that land rights are held not only for present generations but on behalf of the Ancestors and the Unborn. As such:
o Land laws may not be changed without consultation with the Circle of Elders, youth councils, and clan leadership;
o Any decision affecting land must prioritize long-term environmental and cultural survival over short-term gain.
Article V: Justice and Law
Foundations of Justice
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall uphold a sovereign system of justice rooted in the principles of restorative practice, truth-telling, reconciliation, and ancestral law. Justice shall not be punitive in nature, but rather a means of restoring right relationships between individuals, families, clans, the land, and the Creator.
The Nation affirms its right, under Article 34 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), to maintain and strengthen its distinct legal systems, customs, and institutions.
1. Restorative and Cultural Justice Principles
Justice in the Nation shall be guided by:
o Truth-telling and acknowledgment of harm;
o Healing of individuals and communities through ceremony and reconciliation;
o Responsibility to the collective, not merely individual rights;
o Balance between justice and mercy, rooted in the wisdom of Elders, Clan Mothers, and spiritual leaders;
o Reparations and spiritual restitution, where harm has been done.
2. Circle of Peacekeepers
A Circle of Peacekeepers shall serve as the primary body responsible for maintaining public peace, enforcing national laws, and protecting Citizens with integrity, cultural humility, and spiritual discipline. Peacekeepers shall:
o Be trained in ancestral law, de-escalation, mediation, and crisis response;
o Be held to the highest ethical standards, with public accountability mechanisms;
o Work under the oversight of both the National Council and Circle of Elders;
o Be members of the community who serve with honor, not domination.
Peacekeepers are guardians, not enforcers, of the Nations values and safety.
3. Rights of the Accused and Due Process
Every Citizen is entitled to:
o The presumption of innocence until found responsible through due process;
o A fair and impartial hearing conducted in accordance with both traditional and modern legal protections;
o Access to community-supported advocates, elders, or cultural advisors during all proceedings;
o Protection from abuse, coercion, or retaliation;
o A written and oral explanation of any charges or violations in a language they understand.
4. Council Circles and Peacemaking Courts
Traditional conflict resolution methods, including Council Circles, Clan Gatherings, and Peacemaking Courts, shall serve as the first and preferred method of resolving disputes, grievances, and harms. These processes shall:
o Prioritize relationship repair, community healing, and truth;
o Be facilitated by trusted Elders, spiritual advisors, or peacemakers;
o Use ceremony and sacred practice as part of the resolution process;
o Allow for broad community involvement and transparency.
5. Sovereign Court System
The Nation shall maintain an independent and culturally-grounded Sovereign Court empowered to adjudicate all civil, criminal, spiritual, and constitutional matters under the laws of the Nation. This court shall:
o Be composed of judges trained in both ancestral and international law;
o Operate independently of political influence or corruption;
o Be guided by principles of restorative justice, spiritual balance, and fairness;
o Have the authority to hear appeals, resolve jurisdictional disputes, and interpret the Constitution.
6. Specialty Courts and Panels
The Sovereign Court may establish specialty panels or courts to address:
o Family and kinship law (including marriage, adoption, and intergenerational conflicts);
o Land and water disputes, through traditional ecological knowledge;
o Youth justice, with emphasis on mentorship, rite of passage, and restoration;
o Violations of spiritual or cultural taboos, handled with the guidance of the Circle of Elders.
7. Law Creation and Interpretation
Laws of the Nation shall be:
o Created through deliberative process by the Council of Clans;
o Reviewed by the Circle of Elders for cultural alignment;
o Recorded in both written and oral tradition;
o Interpreted according to the Constitution, spiritual law, and customary practice.
8. International Recognition and Treaty Enforcement
The Nation shall enforce its laws with full sovereignty, and seek recognition from global bodies such as the United Nations, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and other Indigenous nations. The Nation shall also assert its right to:
o Prosecute crimes committed on its lands;
o Demand accountability for crimes committed against its people under foreign law;
o Enter treaties of mutual protection or extradition with other Indigenous or non-Indigenous governments.
9. Justice for Future Generations
Justice shall be administered with the understanding that every act of law and accountability has implications for seven generations. Every decision must protect not only the dignity of those involved, but the spiritual and cultural survival of the Nation itself.
Article VI: Education and Empowerment
Traditional Indigenous educational values that center elders, oral tradition, and sacred learning; UNDRIP Articles 14, 15, and 17, which affirm Indigenous rights to culturally relevant education and the transmission of knowledge. Global standards for inclusive, accessible, and sovereign education systems that promote cultural survival and modern advancement.
1. Sacred Right to Education
Education is a sacred right and responsibility of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island. All Citizens, regardless of age, gender, ability, or region, shall have free and equal access to a lifelong education that is grounded in Indigenous identity, language, culture, and worldview, while also incorporating the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the modern world.
2. Foundations of Indigenous Learning
The Nation affirms that learning is:
o Ceremonial and spiritual, not just intellectual;
o Experiential and land-based, guided by seasonal cycles, sacred sites, and traditional knowledge;
o Oral and intergenerational, passed from Elders, Clan Mothers, and cultural keepers;
o Communal, where learning is for the benefit of the People and future generations.
This system aligns with UNDRIP Article 14, which recognizes the right of Indigenous Peoples to establish and control their own educational systems and institutions providing instruction in their own languages and in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning.
3. Sovereign Academies and Centers of Knowledge
The Nation shall establish and sustain Sovereign Academies, Learning Lodges, and Centers of Knowledge across its territories. These institutions shall:
o Be governed by Indigenous educators, Elders, and cultural authorities;
o Teach in the languages of the People, with immersion programs for linguistic revitalization;
o Incorporate both ancestral knowledge and modern technical training;
o Maintain sacred relationships between student, teacher, land, and Creator.
Curriculum shall include, but is not limited to:
o Native history, migration stories, and oral traditions;
o Ceremonial, medicinal, and cosmological teachings;
o Environmental guardianship, permaculture, and climate resilience;
o Governance, leadership, peacemaking, and inter-nation diplomacy;
o Economic development, entrepreneurship, technology, and trade skills;
o Healing arts, trauma-informed care, and mental well-being.
4. Intergenerational Learning and Sacred Instruction
Education shall be intergenerational, honoring:
o Elders as first teachers and wisdom keepers;
o Youth as sacred learners and visionaries;
o Mothers and fathers as co-educators in the home;
o Clan systems as schools of life and law.
Mentorship, rites of passage, community-based projects, and storytelling shall be foundational tools for teaching and transformation.
5. Language Reclamation and Cultural Sovereignty
The Nation shall prioritize the revival and protection of Indigenous languages through:
o Immersion schools and tribal language institutes;
o Community language nests for early childhood development;
o Tribal dictionaries, recordings, and archives;
o International collaboration for endangered language recovery.
Language is not only a tool of communication but a vessel of identity, memory, and spiritual law.
6. Equity and Accessibility
Education shall be:
o Free of cost at all levels for all Citizens;
o Culturally responsive to the needs of displaced, misclassified, or diasporic Indigenous Peoples;
o Digitally accessible, with remote and mobile learning centers for rural and nomadic communities;
o Inclusive of all learners, regardless of physical ability, neurodiversity, or prior educational experience.
7. Education as a Tool of Decolonization and Empowerment
The Nation recognizes that colonial education was historically used to destroy Indigenous knowledge systems. In response, the Nation commits to:
o Dismantling colonial narratives and restoring the truth of Turtle Island’s history;
o Empowering Citizens to become cultural warriors, healers, protectors, scientists, and sovereign leaders;
o Creating educational policies that foster pride, resistance, responsibility, and liberation.
8. International and Inter-Indigenous Cooperation
The Nation shall engage in educational exchange, solidarity programs, and curriculum development with other Indigenous nations and global allies to:
o Share best practices in decolonized education;
o Promote Indigenous-to-Indigenous mentorship;
o Protect collective intellectual property and ancestral knowledge from exploitation.
9. Sacred Duty of the Nation
It shall be the ongoing duty of the Nation to:
o Allocate national funding to support educational growth;
o Train and support Indigenous educators, knowledge keepers, and curriculum developers;
o Protect children and students from exploitation, indoctrination, or any form of cultural erasure;
o Ensure that education is a sacred, lifelong path, not a colonial requirement but a spiritual calling.
Article VII: Health and Well-Being
Traditional Indigenous models of holistic wellness that encompass spiritual, emotional, physical, and community balance; Global health and human rights standards, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)—especially Articles 21, 23, 24, and 31. Principles of food sovereignty, clean water as a human right, and Indigenous healing sovereignty.
1. The Right to Holistic Health
All Citizens of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall have the inherent right to free and equal access to holistic, culturally aligned health and wellness services. This includes physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and communal care, as rooted in the ancestral teachings of balance, relationship, and harmony with the natural world.
o In accordance with UNDRIP Articles 21 and 24, the Nation affirms the right of Indigenous Peoples to improve their economic and social conditions, including the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health.
o Recognition of Traditional Healing Systems
The Nation formally recognizes and protects the role of:
o Medicine People and Healers trained in ceremonial and plant-based knowledge;
o Midwives and Birthkeepers trained in traditional birthing and postpartum care;
o Herbalists, Bone Setters, and Energy Workers;
o Spiritual Advisors, Grief Counselors, and Firekeepers.
2. These practitioners shall be given legal standing, protections, and resources equal to modern healthcare providers. Their practices are considered sacred, and shall be governed by Indigenous ethics, training protocols, and the oversight of the Circle of Elders and Health Stewardship Council.
o Integrated Health Systems and Sovereign Clinics
The Nation shall establish:
o Sovereign Wellness Centers offering integrated services from both traditional and Western models;
o Mobile Healing Teams that travel to underserved or rural communities;
o Ceremonial Healing Lodges, sweat lodges, and grief circles for community wellness;
o Rehabilitation centers based on ancestral knowledge, not punitive models.
These facilities shall operate under Indigenous governance, with patient confidentiality, spiritual integrity, and ancestral protocols at their core.
3. Mental Health and Intergenerational Healing
The Nation shall prioritize:
Healing from historical and intergenerational trauma, including the effects of boarding schools, forced removals, and identity erasure;
Community-led mental health care rooted in storytelling, ceremony, land reconnection, and family-based counseling;
o Support for youth mental wellness, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed leadership development.
Mental health shall not be pathologized but understood as part of a larger story of cultural survival, resilience, and spiritual disconnection.
4. Food Sovereignty and Clean Water as Sacred Rights Access to clean water, clean air, and traditional foods shall be upheld as non-negotiable, sacred rights of every Citizen. The Nation shall:
o Restore and protect ancestral food systems, seed banks, and fishing/hunting rights;
o Establish community gardens, traditional food harvests, and permaculture programs;
o Ban corporate or foreign interference in food production that threatens health or sovereignty;
o Ensure that all Citizens, especially children and Elders, have daily access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods and clean drinking water.
In accordance with UNDRIP Article 25, the Nation affirms its spiritual responsibility to care for the lands, waters, and all forms of life that sustain health and well-being.
5. Birth and End-of-Life Care as Sacred Transitions
Birth and death are sacred events, not medical conditions. The Nation shall ensure:
o Safe, traditional home and water births attended by midwives and family;
o Ceremonial welcoming of newborns into the community;
o Holistic end-of-life care with grief rituals, storytelling, and burial practices according to tribal traditions.
The Nation rejects practices that dehumanize or institutionalize these sacred moments.
6. Community Wellness and Public Health
The Nation shall invest in:
o Clean housing, safe community infrastructure, and disease prevention programs;
o Culturally respectful sexual and reproductive health education;
o Community health gatherings, dances, runs, and ceremonies that promote joy, belonging, and movement;
o Emergency response and disaster relief programs informed by Indigenous preparedness models.
7. Health Sovereignty and Legal Autonomy
The Nation affirms its sovereign right to:
o Govern all aspects of health care delivery, licensing, and medical records;
o Refuse or approve foreign health interventions, pharmaceuticals, or mandates;
o Participate in international Indigenous health networks for shared knowledge, medicine exchanges, and collective advocacy;
o Protect Indigenous intellectual property, medicinal plant knowledge, and healing practices from exploitation, commodification, or theft.
8. Health for Future Generations
The Nation shall create intergenerational wellness plans that address:
o Environmental threats to health;
o Preservation of traditional medicines and recipes;
o Spiritual training of future healers and caretakers;
o Full health sovereignty for the next seven generations.
Article VIII: Sustainable Development and Prosperity
Traditional Indigenous economic systems based on reciprocity, land stewardship, and collective responsibility; UNDRIP Articles 20, 21, 23, 26, 28, and 32, which affirm the rights of Indigenous Peoples to maintain and develop their economic systems, manage resources, and benefit from their traditional lands. Global sustainable development goals (SDGs) reframed through an Indigenous lens to ensure cultural integrity and ecological harmony.
Foundations of an Indigenous Economy
The economy of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall be based on the principles of:
o Ecological balance, not exploitation;
o Self-sufficiency and community resilience, not dependency;
o Cultural and spiritual integrity, not profit-driven colonization.
Economic development shall reflect the values of the Nation, the wisdom of the Elders, and the teachings of the Land and Creator. Prosperity shall be measured not solely by material wealth, but by the well-being, healing, and dignity of the People and the Earth.
Communal Wealth and Economic Justice
Wealth generated by the Nation’s natural resources, trade, or enterprises shall be:
o Held communally, managed through sovereign institutions with transparency and accountability;
o Reinvested into health, education, housing, food systems, cultural renewal, and youth empowerment;
o Used to repair intergenerational harm caused by colonization, displacement, and systemic poverty;
o Allocated with equity, ensuring all Citizens—especially Elders, youth, single parents, displaced persons, and those with disabilities—have access to opportunity and stability.
National Trade Council and Ethical Governance
The Nation shall establish a National Trade Council, composed of traditional economists, Indigenous entrepreneurs, agricultural and artisan leaders, and members of the National Council. This Council shall:
o Regulate internal and external trade in a manner consistent with the Nation’s laws, values, and spiritual obligations;
o Protect the Nation from exploitative economic arrangements, resource theft, or foreign dependency;
o Establish codes of conduct for partnerships, cooperatives, and contracts;
o Ensure free, prior, and informed consent is obtained before entering agreements impacting land, labor, or natural resources.
Prioritization of Land-Based Industries
The Nation shall prioritize sustainable, land-based industries that are rooted in ancestral practice, including but not limited to:
o Organic farming, seedkeeping, and Indigenous permaculture;
o Fishing, aquaculture, and traditional water stewardship;
o Textiles, basketry, pottery, and sacred craftsmanship;
o Renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy;
o Herbal medicine production and ceremonial plant cultivation;
o Ecotourism and cultural tourism, owned and operated by Indigenous Citizens with strict protections against cultural appropriation.
Economic Sovereignty and Currency
The Nation reserves the right to:
o Create and manage its own currency or trade exchange system, based on traditional trade principles, barter, and digital integration if needed;
o Establish sovereign banks, community credit unions, and financial cooperatives;
o Support tribal credit-building and reparative economic programs;
o Refuse participation in economic systems that cause harm to the Earth or violate spiritual law.
Cultural Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Nation shall:
o Support Indigenous entrepreneurs in creative, technological, and spiritual industries;
o Protect intellectual and cultural property, traditional designs, names, and sacred knowledge from exploitation and misuse;
o Foster apprenticeship models linking youth to Elders, artisans, engineers, and visionaries;
o Encourage the development of community-owned businesses, cooperatives, and land trusts.
International Economic Solidarity
The Nation shall engage in ethical and reciprocal trade partnerships with:
o Other Indigenous nations and traditional economies across Turtle Island and globally;
o Allied non-Indigenous communities that demonstrate respect for sovereignty and sacred economy;
o International networks of fair trade, food justice, and sustainability.
All agreements shall uphold the principles of UNDRIP Articles 32 and 36, ensuring mutual respect and informed consent.
Environmental and Generational Accountability
All development must:
o Comply with the Nation’s environmental laws and spiritual laws of reciprocity;
o Undergo impact assessments by ecological and ceremonial councils;
o Consider the welfare of the next seven generations in all decisions and designs.
Projects found to endanger the land, water, species, or cultural lifeways shall be subject to cancellation, restoration orders, or public tribunals.
Training and Economic Empowerment Programs
The Nation shall invest in:
o Economic literacy programs for all Citizens;
o Workforce development with a focus on traditional trades and future industries;
o Land access and start-up grants for farming, artisan work, or local businesses;
o Youth-driven initiatives to foster innovation, environmental stewardship, and tribal pride.
Prosperity as Sacred Responsibility
Prosperity is not for personal gain but is a sacred responsibility. Wealth is a tool to:
o Heal broken systems;
o Rebuild lost nations;
o Restore balance to Turtle Island;
o Ensure that no Citizen is left behind.
Article IX: Defense and National Security
Traditional Indigenous defense structures, such as warrior societies and clan protectors. International legal standards on sovereign self-defense, civil protection, and the right to resist occupation; UNDRIP Articles 7, 22, and 30, which uphold Indigenous rights to life, security, and protection from militarization. Modern frameworks for disaster resilience, nonviolent deterrence, and sovereign security policy.
Sovereign Right to National Defense
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island affirms its inherent and non-negotiable right to defend its territory, sovereignty, Citizens, and sacred sites from all external and internal threats. This right is grounded in natural law, ancestral responsibility, and international legal principles, including the right to self-defense and self-determination under the United Nations Charter and UNDRIP Article 7.The People's Guard: Protectors of the Nation
A sovereign, community-rooted security force known as the People's Guard shall be established to:
o Protect the Nation’s lands, water, people, and cultural integrity;
o Operate under the direction of the National Council and Circle of Elders, in accordance with both modern law and traditional warrior codes;
o Train in nonviolent defense, peacekeeping, and lawful tactical response;
o Act as a civil peace force and national response team, grounded in Indigenous values of honor, humility, courage, and duty.
The People's Guard shall include specialized units for:
o Border and land patrols;
o Missing persons search and rescue;
o Cybersecurity and information protection;
o Environmental protection enforcement;
o Protection of sacred sites, ceremonies, and gatherings.
Principles of Peaceful Deterrence and Last Resort
The Nation shall prioritize diplomacy, peacemaking, and community dialogue in all conflict situations. Use of military or armed force shall only be undertaken:
o After all peaceful and diplomatic options have been exhausted;
o In response to direct threats to the lives, safety, or sovereignty of the Nation;
o With collective approval from the National Council and oversight by the Circle of Elders.
Warriors are peacekeepers first. Protection must never become oppression.
Emergency Preparedness and Civil Protection Corps
The Nation shall maintain trained, well-equipped Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Teams, responsible for:
o Rapid response to natural disasters, health emergencies, or infrastructure breakdown;
o Evacuation planning, supply distribution, and shelter support;
o Education and drills for community readiness and self-rescue;
o Cultural and spiritual support during times of trauma or loss.
These teams shall include healers, builders, peacekeepers, and youth apprentices, ensuring full-spectrum resilience.
No Unauthorized Foreign Forces
No foreign military, paramilitary, police, or intelligence agency shall operate within the sovereign territory of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island without:
o Written consent from the National Council;
o A memorandum of understanding (MOU) respecting Indigenous law and sovereignty;
o Full community consultation and the free, prior, and informed consent of affected Citizens, in accordance with UNDRIP Article 30.
Any unauthorized presence shall be regarded as a violation of sovereignty and subject to legal response and removal.
Community Defense and Clan-Based Protection Models
Each clan, village, or district shall have the right to form local defense councils or village protector teams to:
o Safeguard elders, children, and sacred grounds;
o Monitor local risks or unusual activities;
o Coordinate with the People's Guard during alerts, emergencies, or patrols;
o Operate under traditional authority with public accountability and transparency.
These localized teams revive the ancestral model of warrior protectors, chosen not for aggression but for integrity, honor, and devotion to the People.
Youth Engagement and Rite of Protection
Youth shall be trained in:
o Nonviolent communication, de-escalation, and situational awareness;
o Land navigation, emergency skills, and disaster response;
o The history of Indigenous warriors, resistance, and self-defense movements.
A Rite of Protection shall be established to induct youth into the sacred responsibility of guardianship, teaching that defense of the People begins with protection of community, self-discipline, and love for the land.
Security and Cyber Defense Infrastructure
The Nation shall develop infrastructure to defend against:
o Cyberattacks and surveillance by foreign governments or corporations;
o Disinformation, psychological warfare, and destabilization efforts;
o Attempts to interfere in elections, legal systems, or internal governance.
A Cyber Sovereignty Division shall be created to ensure digital protection, secure data storage, and sovereignty over communication networks and media platforms.
Alliances and Mutual Protection Agreements
The Nation may enter into peaceful alliances or mutual defense agreements with:
o Other Indigenous nations with similar values;
o Non-Indigenous partners who respect the Nation’s sovereignty and cultural integrity;
o Global coalitions that defend human rights and Indigenous self-determination.
All agreements must be approved by the National Council, reviewed by the Circle of Elders, and affirmed by the People where appropriate.
Honoring the Spirit of the Warrior
Protection of the Nation is not based in domination but in love, service, humility, and readiness. The warrior path is a sacred calling, not a profession of violence. All defenders shall be:
o Guided by ancestral codes of ethics and spiritual discipline;
o Trained in healing as well as defense;
o Responsible for protecting all living beings, including the vulnerable, the land, and the sacred.
Article X: International Relations and Treaties
Traditional Indigenous diplomacy, rooted in treaty-making, sacred agreements, and kinship alliances; UNDRIP Articles 3, 36, and 37, which affirm the right of Indigenous Peoples to self-determination, cross-border relationships, and treaty recognition. Principles of international law, including state-to-state diplomacy, Indigenous participation in global governance, and sovereignty protection.
Inherent Right to Diplomatic Engagement
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island affirms its full and inherent right to engage in diplomatic relations with:
o Other Indigenous nations;
o Sovereign states;
o Intergovernmental organizations;
o Global civil society networks;
o International legal and human rights institutions.
This right flows from the Nation’s sovereign status, and is protected under Article 36 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which recognizes the right of Indigenous Peoples to maintain and develop contacts and cooperation across borders for spiritual, cultural, political, and economic purposes.
Traditional Diplomacy and Sacred Treaties
The Nation shall revive and uphold traditional Indigenous diplomacy, which recognizes:
o Treaties as sacred covenants guided by spiritual law and ancestral prophecy;
o Agreements based on trust, kinship, mutual respect, and balance rather than coercion or domination;
o Clan-based or spiritual envoys who carry the voice of the People and the Ancestors.
Diplomatic delegations must be trained in cultural protocol, language, international law, and tribal diplomacy rooted in oral traditions.
Treaty Approval Process
All international treaties, trade agreements, memoranda of understanding, and foreign partnerships shall:
o Be proposed, negotiated, and reviewed by the National Council in partnership with the Council of Clans and the Circle of Elders;
o Undergo public consultation and, when necessary, a national referendum;
o Be aligned with ancestral law, cultural integrity, and the Nation’s long-term interests.
No treaty shall be valid without full Free, Prior, and Informed Consent from the Nation’s leadership and affected Citizens.
Sovereignty First Principle
All international agreements, alliances, and engagements must respect and protect the Nation’s:
o Sovereign status as an independent Indigenous government;
o Jurisdiction over its land, people, law, and governance;
o Right to withdraw from any agreement that violates the Constitution, cultural values, or future generations.
Under UNDRIP Article 37, the Nation also reaffirms the right to the recognition, observance, and enforcement of historic treaties, agreements, and other constructive arrangements entered into with colonial or foreign governments.
Permanent Representation and International Recognition
The Nation shall pursue permanent representation and observer status in international forums including but not limited to:
o The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII);
o The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO);
o The Organization of American States (OAS);
o The World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education and similar bodies.
The Nation shall maintain a Sovereign Diplomatic Office tasked with:
o Advocating for the recognition of Turtle Island sovereignty;
o Filing petitions and legal instruments before international courts and tribunals;
o Participating in environmental, human rights, peace, and trade negotiations.
o
Indigenous Solidarity and Mutual Defense
The Nation affirms its right to enter into:
o Mutual protection treaties, cultural exchange programs, and inter-nation summits with Indigenous peoples across the Americas and beyond;
o Shared agreements for language preservation, cultural repatriation, and international tribal justice;
o Legal partnerships to address transnational threats such as environmental exploitation, human trafficking, and cultural appropriation.
These relationships are to be framed by the principle of inter-Indigenous sovereignty and collective liberation.
Non-Alignment and Peaceful Coexistence
The Nation shall remain non-aligned in global conflicts and shall not participate in foreign military alliances, arms trades, or aggressive economic blocs. It shall:
o Promote peace, diplomacy, environmental justice, and cultural renewal;
o Stand against colonialism, occupation, and militarization;
o Offer sanctuary, solidarity, or support to other unrecognized or oppressed Indigenous peoples consistent with international law.
Cross-Border Kinship and Nationhood
The Nation acknowledges that many Indigenous communities and lineages extend across colonial borders. The Nation shall:
o Uphold the rights of diasporic and displaced Indigenous Peoples to return, resettle, or reconnect with the land and its governance;
o Facilitate dual tribal citizenship and free movement among partner Indigenous nations;
o Work to dismantle artificial borders that divide Indigenous territories, as per UNDRIP Article 36.
International Law and Customary Law Integration
In all diplomatic matters, the Nation shall operate under a dual legal framework that:
o Honors customary Indigenous law as sacred and binding;
o Utilizes international law and instruments as protective tools to defend and assert the Nation’s rights;
o Trains its diplomats and legal advocates in both systems, creating “two-eyed seeing” capacity for negotiation and resistance.
Transparency, Accountability, and Public Oversight
All treaties, MOUs, and foreign partnerships must be:
o Publicly published and reviewed;
o Monitored for compliance with national goals and spiritual law;
o Subject to amendment, repeal, or nullification if found to be harmful or unjust.
Annual reports of all international relations activity shall be presented to the People for review and feedback.
Article XI: National Infrastructure and Emergency Services
Traditional Indigenous defense, law enforcement, and emergency preparedness models, including community-based response, spiritual protection, and sacred duties. Modern legal standards of national sovereignty and civil protection; provisions of UNDRIP (Articles 7, 22, 23, 24, and 30), which support the right of Indigenous Peoples to develop their own institutions for security, safety, justice, and emergency response.
Establishment of Sovereign Protective Forces
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall establish and govern national infrastructure systems essential to the protection, survival, safety, and well-being of its Citizens. These systems shall:
o Operate in accordance with ancestral law, spiritual obligation, and community service;
o Ensure sovereignty in law enforcement, emergency response, and national recovery;
o Be transparent, accountable, and free from corruption or foreign control.
National Defense Force
The Nation shall maintain a National Defense Force, whose duties include:
o Protection of the Nation’s territorial integrity, borders, sacred lands, and Citizens;
o Support for humanitarian efforts, infrastructure protection, and peacetime readiness;
o Deployment only under approval of the National Council and in accordance with constitutional checks;
o Integration of traditional warrior societies, land guardians, and community defense structures.
This force shall operate under a Sovereign Ministry of Defense, governed by the Constitution and subject to annual public review.
National Police Force
A culturally grounded National Police Force shall be established, separate from foreign or settler systems. This force shall:
o Uphold and enforce the Nation’s laws and judicial orders;
o Operate with community-based policing models, emphasizing restorative justice and trust;
o Undergo training in cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed response, and traditional peacemaking;
o Be overseen by a Civilian Accountability Board composed of elders, legal scholars, and community members.
Officers shall be held to the highest standards of honor, humility, and protection without harm.
National Counter-Human Trafficking Agency (NCHTA)
A National Counter-Human Trafficking Agency shall be established with full authority to:
o Investigate, prevent, and dismantle human trafficking operations;
o Rescue, protect, and rehabilitate survivors with culturally responsive support;
o Collaborate with Indigenous, national, and international bodies for intelligence sharing;
o Conduct outreach, awareness, and education in communities and schools;
o Ensure all activities are trauma-informed, victim-centered, and uphold human dignity.
This agency shall report directly to a Ministry of Justice and Indigenous Protection.
National EMS and Fire Force
The Nation shall operate a National Emergency Medical Services and Fire Force, responsible for:
o Immediate medical response, disaster rescue, and fire prevention;
o Serving all regions, especially rural and remote territories;
o Coordinating with local clans and traditional healers for culturally competent care;
o Maintaining air, land, and water transport for rapid deployment in emergencies.
The force shall also support traditional disaster mitigation ceremonies, such as firekeeping, water blessings, and land healing.
National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS)
The Nation shall maintain a National Intelligence and Security Service, responsible for:
o Collecting and analyzing intelligence related to national threats, cyberattacks, organized crime, foreign interference, and disinformation;
o Protecting Indigenous knowledge systems, digital sovereignty, and internal communications;
o Operating under strict ethical, legal, and cultural safeguards;
o Reporting to a Joint Oversight Committee made up of representatives from the National Council, Council of Clans, and Circle of Elders.
All surveillance or counterintelligence activity must be approved through legal warrants and must not violate spiritual or constitutional protections.
National Recovery and Crisis Response Force (NRCRF)
A National Recovery and Crisis Response Force shall be established to coordinate:Emergency relief following natural disasters, civil crises, pandemics, or acts of violence;
o Long-term rebuilding of housing, infrastructure, agriculture, and emotional healing;
o Provision of mental health services, food distribution, and relocation support;
o Community training and drills for preparedness and resilience.
This force shall include youth corps, traditional builders, water carriers, and mental health professionals grounded in ancestral healing practices.
National Marshal Agency
A National Marshal Agency shall serve as the judicial arm of the Nation, responsible for:
o Enforcing rulings of the Sovereign Courts;
o Ensuring safe transport and protection of judges, witnesses, and elders;
o Apprehending individuals who violate national law with respect for their rights;
o Providing ceremonial security at high-level national proceedings and tribal gatherings.
Marshals shall be trained in both legal enforcement and spiritual protocol, ensuring justice is carried out with dignity and fairness.
Integration of Traditional and Modern Systems
All emergency, defense, and protection forces shall:
o Honor the guidance of elders and ceremonial leaders;
o Collaborate with local clan and village protectors;
o Ensure the integration of spiritual protection rituals, sacred medicine, and cultural values into all missions.
Accountability, Oversight, and Public Trust
Each agency or service shall:
o Be subject to annual review by a Public Oversight Tribunal;
o Maintain independent complaint and redress systems;
o Publish annual impact and ethics reports;
o Include citizen feedback, especially from youth, women, and survivors of violence.
All infrastructure shall serve the People first—without corruption, oppression, or exploitation.
Article XII: National Transportation and Mobility
Right to Movement and Connectivity
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island affirms the inherent right of Indigenous Peoples to free, secure, and uninterrupted movement across ancestral lands, trade corridors, and traditional routes throughout the Americas. This right is grounded in:
o The historical sovereignty of the First Peoples over Turtle Island;
o UNDRIP Articles 20 and 36, which protect the right to maintain and develop economic systems and inter-community ties across imposed borders.
The Nation shall not recognize colonial borders as barriers to sacred or sovereign mobility.
Establishment of a National Transportation Agency (NTA)
The Nation shall establish a National Transportation Agency (NTA) mandated to:
o Plan, develop, regulate, and expand air, land, water, and digital transportation systems;
o Create infrastructure that supports economic growth, cultural exchange, and emergency response;
o Ensure safe, accessible, and environmentally responsible mobility for all Citizens;
o Coordinate transportation policy with the National Council, Council of Clans, and relevant international bodies.
3. Transportation Systems and Infrastructure
The Nation shall invest in the creation, expansion, and modernization of:
o Land-based systems: roads, railway corridors, and electric transport systems;
o Air transit systems: sovereign airstrips, Indigenous-controlled airlines, and aviation training;
o Water-based systems: canoe routes, ports, ferries, and sustainable marine transport;
o Public transport services: buses, shuttles, and tribal mobility programs connecting villages, cities, and ceremonial sites;
o Digital transport corridors: fiber-optic infrastructure and satellite coordination for digital mobility and logistics.
All infrastructure shall be climate resilient, Indigenous-led, and designed with land stewardship and intergenerational impact in mind.
Sovereign Hubs and Diplomatic Trade Corridors
The Nation shall establish:
o Sovereign transportation hubs in major tribal regions to serve as cultural, commercial, and logistical centers;
o Diplomatic transit corridors and treaty-protected trade routes for national and international Indigenous commerce;
o Cross-border mobility agreements with allied nations to protect traditional migration, ceremonial, and trade movement.
These systems shall reflect ancestral land use patterns and be protected under Indigenous and international law.
Free Movement and Non-Discrimination
Citizens of the Nation and recognized members of allied Indigenous nations shall enjoy:
o Unrestricted travel rights within and between tribal territories;
o Equitable access to national transportation systems without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, region, disability, clan, or tribal affiliation;
o The right to ceremonial and cultural travel, including pilgrimage to sacred sites and attendance at inter-tribal gatherings.
Export and Distribution Rights
In accordance with international norms and Articles 20 and 32 of UNDRIP, the Nation retains:
o Full sovereign authority to transport, distribute, and export Indigenous-made goods, sacred materials, humanitarian supplies, agricultural products, and cultural commodities;
o The right to develop export infrastructure, including border logistics centers, customs protocols, and international shipping agreements;
o Legal mechanisms to protect Indigenous commodities from taxation, seizure, or interference by foreign governments without treaty or consent.
Environmental Sustainability and Employment Prioritization
All transportation systems and projects shall:Prioritize sustainability, clean energy, and minimal disruption to ecosystems and wildlife migration routes;
Be assessed through traditional ecological knowledge and land impact reviews;
Prioritize employment, training, and leadership roles for Indigenous Citizens, especially youth, women, and tradespeople;
Establish apprenticeship pipelines in logistics, engineering, green infrastructure, and aviation tailored to community needs.
International Representation and Negotiation Authority
The NTA shall serve as the lead representative for the Nation in:
o International transportation forums, including aviation and maritime councils, Indigenous mobility alliances, and environmental infrastructure conferences;
o Border access negotiations, ensuring Indigenous mobility rights are honored across settler jurisdictions;
o Development of consular transit agreements, humanitarian corridors, and cross-border tribal trade treaties.
The NTA shall work in collaboration with the Nation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, and other Indigenous nations.
Reporting, Oversight, and Community Consultation
The NTA shall:
o Submit an annual report to the National Council outlining achievements, expenditures, infrastructure impact, and community feedback;
o Conduct community consultations prior to the initiation of major transportation projects;
o Include a Mobility Rights Ombudsman to address grievances related to access, discrimination, or disruption.
Alignment with Ancestral Law and Future Generations
All transportation systems shall:
o Be guided by ancestral migration routes, sacred geography, and traditional land agreements;
o Reflect the values of balance, harmony, and right relationship with the Earth;
o Be designed with the next seven generations in mind—ensuring mobility builds strength, unity, and sustainability for the future of the Nation.
Article XIII: Cultural Revitalization and Spiritual Practice
Traditional Indigenous models of cultural preservation and ceremonial lifeways, including kinship-based knowledge transfer, land-based teachings, and sacred observances; legal standards from UNDRIP Articles 11, 12, 13, 25, 31, and 34, which guarantee Indigenous Peoples' rights to practice, protect, develop, and revitalize their cultural heritage, ceremonies, languages, and spiritual lifeways. Global norms on cultural sovereignty, spiritual freedom, and protection of intangible heritage.
Cultural Revitalization as a Sacred Duty
The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island recognizes cultural revitalization as a sacred obligation to the Ancestors, the Earth, and future generations. The Nation shall:
o Promote, protect, and fund the restoration of languages, oral traditions, dances, songs, regalia, culinary practices, architecture, sacred symbols, and ancestral teachings;
o Establish Cultural Preservation Institutes, Language Nests, and Oral History Archives across tribal regions;
o Treat all cultural expressions—past, present, and future—as living knowledge systems tied to land, lineage, and law.
These efforts are aligned with UNDRIP Articles 11 and 13, affirming the right to practice and pass on Indigenous traditions in original languages and forms.
Language as Identity and Law
The Nation affirms that language is not only a tool of communication, but the spiritual DNA of the People, encoding worldview, ceremony, and sacred law. Therefore:
o Indigenous languages of Turtle Island shall be declared official national languages;
o Language immersion, reclamation, and intergenerational transmission shall be fully funded and supported;
o Cultural content, legal proceedings, education, and media shall be made available in the Nation’s ancestral languages;
o Partnerships with linguists, elders, and other Indigenous nations shall support endangered language revitalization.
Protection and Restoration of Sacred Sites and Burial Grounds
All ceremonial grounds, sacred waters, medicine gathering places, and ancestral burial sites shall be:
o Legally protected from development, desecration, or unauthorized access;
o Culturally restored and returned to community stewardship through the work of the Sacred Sites Restoration Council;
o Registered under a national map of protected cultural territories and ceremonial corridors;
o Governed by protocols specific to the Nation’s clans, spiritual orders, or hereditary lineages.
In alignment with UNDRIP Article 12, the Nation also affirms the right to repatriation of ancestral remains, funerary items, sacred objects, and ceremonial items from museums, governments, and private collections.
Freedom of Spiritual Practice
Every Citizen of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island shall have the absolute and protected right to:
o Practice, revive, and transmit their spiritual traditions without interference, surveillance, coercion, or penalty;
o Gather for ceremonies, sweat lodges, pipe gatherings, naming rituals, vision quests, fasting, and rites of passage;
o Access sacred land, harvest medicines, and practice sky-based and elemental observances;
o Maintain private or collective altars and ancestral shrines within homes, communities, or public sites.
These rights shall be constitutionally protected, and shall not be infringed by internal law, external governments, or institutions.
Recognition of Seasonal and Ceremonial Observances
The Nation shall officially recognize and fund:
o Seasonal festivals, solstice and equinox observances, planting and harvest celebrations, and lunar gatherings;
o Ceremonial rites tied to life transitions: birth, naming, puberty, marriage, elderhood, and passing into the spirit world;
o National Days of Remembrance and Resistance, including honoring of genocidal atrocities, massacres, and colonial trauma;
o National Days of Creation and Celebration, lifting up stories of migration, survival, prophecy, and rebirth.
These observances shall be integrated into the Nation’s calendar, schools, and cultural life, and supported with public spaces, funding, and ceremonial protections.
Cultural Arts and Indigenous Innovation
The Nation shall support visual, textile, musical, sculptural, medicinal, and performance arts through:
o Community art centers, apprenticeships, and artistic commissions;
o Legal protections against misappropriation, theft, or misuse of sacred designs, songs, and rituals;
o Funding and exhibitions that honor lineage-based creators and new generations of culture bearers;
o Cultural entrepreneurship grounded in ethical protocols and clan-based intellectual property rights.
In accordance with UNDRIP Article 31, the Nation shall retain full ownership of its cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and intellectual property.
Elder and Youth Cultural Transmission
Elders shall be formally recognized as national cultural authorities, and youth shall be honored as sacred vessels of continuity. The Nation shall:
o Provide stipends, housing, and platforms for elders to teach, travel, and record ancestral knowledge;
o Fund youth leadership, cultural immersion, and rite of passage programs;
o Require cultural education in all schools, centers, and trade programs as a foundational subject;
o Celebrate intergenerational collaboration as a pillar of sovereignty and survival.
Inter-Nation Cultural Alliances and Repatriation
The Nation shall:
o Enter into alliances with other Indigenous nations for the protection, restoration, and exchange of cultural treasures;
o Petition international institutions for the return of stolen art, manuscripts, bones, and spiritual tools;
o Engage in cultural diplomacy, hosting and participating in Indigenous summits, world gatherings, and ceremonial exchanges across the globe;
o Train cultural rights advocates, ceremonial ambassadors, and legal scholars to defend cultural sovereignty on international platforms.
National Cultural Rights Commission
A National Cultural Rights Commission shall be established to:
o Monitor violations, misappropriations, and desecrations;
o Certify the protection and authenticity of traditional works;
o Review laws, treaties, and trade agreements for cultural impact;
o Ensure constitutional enforcement of cultural protections.
Cultural Sovereignty for Future Generations
Cultural revitalization shall not be symbolic—it is a living commitment. All public policy, development, education, and diplomacy must:
Uphold the primacy of Indigenous worldviews and cosmologies;
Ensure that culture is protected not just as heritage, but as law;
Honor the sacred contract between the Nation and its ancestors to keep the fire of memory, knowledge, and spirit alive.
Article XIV: Amendments and Ratification
Traditional Indigenous consensus models of governance, clan-based decision-making, and elder-led spiritual oversight. Global best practices for constitutional legitimacy, amendment integrity, and transparency; principles of UNDRIP Articles 3, 4, 5, 18, and 34, ensuring that Indigenous Peoples have the right to maintain, strengthen, and evolve their governance systems in accordance with their own traditions and procedures.
Amendment Authority and Purpose
The Constitution of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island is a living document rooted in ancestral covenant and sacred law. It may be amended only to:
o Strengthen the Nation's governance, sovereignty, and spiritual integrity;
o Reflect evolving needs of the People and new generations;
o Incorporate new understandings, protections, or innovations that remain in harmony with traditional law.
Amendments shall never contradict ancestral law, violate spiritual principles, or weaken the rights of Citizens or the sacred relationship between the Nation and the Land.
Amendment Process
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:
o Members of the National Council;
o The Council of Clans;
o A petition signed by no less than 15% of registered Citizens of the Nation.
Upon proposal, the amendment must undergo the following process:
a. Deliberation and Review
o The proposed amendment shall be reviewed by the Circle of Elders, Clan Chiefs, and relevant constitutional scholars to determine consistency with ancestral law, spiritual teachings, and national values.
o Public forums shall be conducted in every region for Citizens to review, discuss, and make recommendations.
b. Council Approval
o The final amendment draft must be approved by a two-thirds (⅔) supermajority of the National Council.
c. People’s Referendum
o A national referendum shall then be held, in which a simple majority (50% + 1) of participating Citizens must approve the amendment.
d. Final Confirmation
o The Circle of Elders, as the sacred stewards of the Nation's wisdom, must issue a ceremonial and legal confirmation that the amendment aligns with the spirit of the Ancestors and the Constitution.
Restrictions on Amendments
No amendment shall be valid if it:
o Seeks to repeal the sovereign status of the Nation;
o Undermines Indigenous identity, language, or spiritual practice;
o Permits foreign control over sacred lands, governance, or law enforcement;
o Violates the principles of self-determination and cultural survival guaranteed under international law.
Emergency Amendments
In cases of natural disaster, war, national emergency, or existential threat, the National Council may enact temporary emergency amendments for a period not to exceed 180 days, provided that:
o The amendment is immediately reviewed by the Circle of Elders;
o A national referendum is held within the 180-day period to determine whether the emergency amendment shall be made permanent or repealed;
o All emergency measures adhere to human rights, Indigenous laws, and spiritual balance.
Ratification of the Constitution
This Constitution shall be considered legally binding and spiritually enacted upon the following conditions:
a. Elder Council Approval
o The Circle of Elders, representing the spiritual law of the Nation, must approve the Constitution through ceremonial confirmation and sacred declaration.
b. Clan and Tribal Representation
o A minimum of three-quarters (¾) of recognized clans or tribal sectors shall approve the Constitution through consensus or representative vote.
c. Founding Citizens’ Referendum
o The Constitution shall be ratified by a majority vote (50% +1) of all registered founding Citizens of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island.
Public Notification and Recording
All amendments and ratification actions shall:
o Be published and archived in national records;
o Be shared through tribal gatherings, cultural centers, media, and language-accessible formats;
o Include a ceremonial proclamation, read in at least one Indigenous language of the Nation.
Continuity and Protection
This Constitution shall remain in force across generations and serve as the binding covenant between the Nation, its Citizens, and the Ancestors. Any efforts to subvert, suspend, or invalidate this Constitution outside the lawful processes outlined herein shall be considered an act against the sovereignty of the People and the spiritual foundation of Turtle Island.
Declaration of Constitutional Adoption and Nationhood
With the wisdom of our ancestors behind us, the strength of our communities within us, and the faces of future generations before us,
We, the Original Peoples and rightful descendants of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island, do solemnly and spiritually proclaim this Constitution as the supreme law of our sovereign Indigenous Nation.
We stand rooted in the sacred knowledge passed down through millennia—of sky, water, land, ceremony, kinship, prophecy, and resistance. In reclaiming our inherent sovereignty, we honor not only our ancient responsibilities, but the divine instructions etched into the memory of our Clans, our Councils, and our Elders.
This Constitution emerges not from foreign systems of domination or conquest, but from natural law, Creator's order, and ancestral covenant. It is a living expression of our right to:
Govern ourselves according to our own law, language, and lineage;
Defend the Earth and all relations within her;
Rebuild what was broken, and heal what was silenced through violence, colonization, and erasure;
Walk forward with dignity, in ceremony and peace, carrying our youth, our stories, and our futures in sacred trust.
Let this Constitution serve as:
A shield against injustice and assimilation;
A vessel for the transmission of culture, law, language, and spiritual power;
A bridge between generations, nations, and the wider world;
A legal and moral declaration to all governments and institutions, that the People of Turtle Island are no longer invisible, displaced, or divided.
We affirm this foundational law not merely with ink or parchment, but with the breath of the drum, the voice of the fire, and the unity of our Clans, guided by spirit, vision, and the sacred right to self-determination.
We hereby declare, in full alignment with international law and Indigenous governance systems across the world, that:
We are a sovereign Nation.
We shall not be governed by foreign laws, nor subjected to systems that deny our identity, dignity, or rights.
We shall uphold the responsibilities placed upon us by Creator to protect the land, waters, children, and ways of our Ancestors.
This Constitution shall be the binding covenant of our people, ratified in ceremony and written into the collective memory of our Nation.
So proclaimed and adopted on this sacred day,
by the united Clans, the Circle of Elders, the Council of Chiefs, and the Citizens of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island, standing together in sovereignty, truth, and purpose.
Let this be our legacy of liberation, love, and life everlasting.