Council of Seven Fires: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
(21 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{WIP}}
{{WIP}}
{{Infobox legislature
{{Infobox legislature
| name = Council of Seven Fires<br>CᎣᎤncᎢl Ꭳf ᏎᎥᎡn FᎢrᎡᏍ
| name               = Council of Seven Fires
| coa_pic = SealoftheMeoquanee.png
| native_name        = ᎠᏯᎸ ᎤᏓᏅᏖᏂᏓ ᏍᎪᎯᏏ
| coa-pic =  
| native_name_lang  = Meoquanee
| session_room =  
| transcription_name = ''ayvli udanvtinida sgowihvsgi''
| house_type = Tribal Council
| legislature        = Council of Seven Fires
| houses =  
| coa_pic           =
| leader1_type = [[High Chieftain]]
| coa_res            =
| leader1 = Tecumseh
| coa_alt            =
| party1 =  
| coa_caption        =
| election1 = November 2002
| logo_pic          = SealoftheMeoquanee.png
| leader2_type =
| logo_res          =
| leader2 =  
| logo_alt          =  
| party2 =  
| logo_caption      =  
| election2 =  
| house_type         = Executive Council
| members = 7 chiefs
| body              =
|formation = 1797
| jurisdiction      = The Meoquanee
| political_groups1  
| houses             =
| last_election1 = November 6, 2012
| term_limits        = No
| next_election1 = November 6, 2022
| foundation        = July 15, 1910
| term1_type
| disbanded          =
| term1 = Ten Years
| preceded_by        =
| meeting_place =  
| succeeded_by      =
| website =
| new_session        = July 22, 2024
| leader1_type       = Chiefs
| leader1            = [[List of Meoquanee Chiefs]]
| party1             =  
| election1         = 2022
| leader2_type       =  
| leader2           =  
| party2             =  
| election2         =
| leader3_type      =
| leader3            =
| party3            =
| election3          =
| leader4_type      =
| leader4            =
| party4            =
| election4          =
| leader5_type      =
| leader5            =
| party5            =
| election5          =
| leader6_type      =
| leader6            =
| party6            =  
| election6          =  
| leader7_type      =
| leader7            =
| party7            =
| election7          =
| seats              = 50
| house1            =
| house2            =
| structure1        =
| structure1_res    =
| structure1_alt    =
| structure2        =
| structure2_res    =
| structure2_alt    =  
| political_groups1 =
| political_groups2  =
| committees1        =
| committees2        =
| joint_committees  =
| term_length        =
| authority          =
| salary            =
| seats1_title      =
| seats1            =
| seats2_title      =
| seats2            =
| seats3_title      =
| seats3            =
| seats4_title      =
| seats4            =
| seats5_title      =
| seats5            =
| seats6_title      =
| seats6            =
| seats7_title      =
| seats7            =
| seats8_title      =
| seats8            =
| voting_system1    =
| voting_system2    =
| first_election1    =
| first_election2    =
| first_election3    =
| last_election1     =
| last_election2    =
| last_election3    =  
| next_election1     =
| next_election2    =
| next_election3    =
| redistricting      =
| motto              =
| session_room      =  
| session_res        =
| session_alt        =  
| meeting_place     =
| session_room2      =
| session_res2      =
| session_alt2      =
| meeting_place2    =  
| website           = <!--{{URL|www.example.com}}-->
| constitution      = [[The Great Law of the Meoquanee]]
| footnotes          =  
}}
}}
The Council of Seven Fires is the legislative council of the Meoquanee Nation. The council meets four times per year, at the beginning of each season, with additional special sessions, which can be requested by any of the chiefs. The council is overseen by the High Chieftain who is elected every ten years from among his peers. The current chieftain is [[Tecumseh of the Ehawee]] who was filled the position since 2002.
The '''Council of Seven Fires''' (ᎠᏯᎸ ᎤᏓᏅᏖᏂᏓ ᏍᎪᎯᏏ) is the highest council comprising Chiefs chosen from the nation-level councils. It serves as the primary legislative and deliberative body of the Meoquanee Nation. Composed of hereditary sachems known as Hoyenah, or chiefs, from each clan, the Council is responsible for major decisions and policy-making.


==History==
=Composition=
Prior to 1794, the tribes of the Meoquanee had little interaction with eachother outside of trade and every 4 years they would all come together for a celebration and to share stories. However, in 1794 [[Tuskaluza]] succeeded in uniting the tribes during the -PLACEHOLDER- war, he established a council that compromised of the chiefs of each of the seven tribes known then as the [[Great Council of Braves]] with himself at the head as the High Cheftian. After the war, Tuskaluza saw the benefit of keeping the tribes as one and reformed the council into what is today the Council of Seven Fires. Tuskaluza remained as High Chiefian of the council until his death in 1837. After his passing, the question of who would succeed him was brought before the council which decided to elect the new High Chieftain every year among themselves which remains to this day.
The Council of Seven Fires is an assembly of 50 Hoyenah (ᎤᏍᏗ) or Chiefs. When a leadership position becomes available, a candidate is chosen from within the clan and is ceremonially "elevated" by the local council consisting of all sachems. Upon assuming the role, the new sachem relinquishes their previous name and is henceforth addressed by their title.


==Power and Jurisidiction==
Currently, the distribution of seats on the Council among the Seven Nations is structured as follows:
* Nasawi: 10 seats
* Wyanwa: 8 seats
* Kathanti: 9 seats
* Aelamet: 7 seats
* Ashwaki: 8 seats
* Dohute: 8 seats
 
Consensus in public actions is vital to the Council's operations. For amendments to Council laws and customs, a two-thirds consent from the Clan Mothers is mandatory. Major changes require a double supermajority for approval. Additionally, no treaty becomes binding unless it garners ratification from at least 75% of the male voters and 75% of the Clan Mothers within the nation.
 
=Appointment=
 
The process of selecting a new Chief to fill a vacant leadership position is a structured and ceremonial procedure. When a leadership role becomes available within a clan, discussions are initiated among clan members to identify potential candidates who exhibit leadership qualities, community involvement, and adherence to traditional values. Subsequently, a formal meeting is organized with the local council, comprising all sachems from the respective nations within the Meoquanee Nation. This council is tasked with overseeing the selection process and ensuring that the chosen candidate meets the criteria and expectations set forth by the community. During the selection meeting, candidates are given an opportunity to present their qualifications, vision, and commitment to serving the community. Following these presentations, the council engages in deliberations to assess each candidate's suitability and contributions to the clan and the greater Meoquanee Nation.
 
Before finalizing the selection, unanimous approval from the Clan Mothers is required, underscoring the importance of their input and guidance in the elevation process. Upon reaching a consensus and obtaining unanimous approval from the Clan Mothers, the council ceremonially elevates the chosen candidate to the position of Chief. This elevation ceremony often includes traditional rituals, prayers, and blessings to honor the candidate's new role and responsibilities within the community. Upon assuming the Chief position, the newly appointed leader symbolically relinquishes their former name and are addressed by their official title.
=Powers=
 
=Removal=
Should a Chief fail to attend the Council, the responsibility falls upon the Local Councils of the Chief's nation to request the attendance of the absentee Chief through their female sponsors. This is due to the bestowing of the title of Chief being hereditary right passed down through the female lineage of families and therefor respecting the proprietary rights of the females in the family to the Chief title. If the Chief continues to neglect or refuse attendance, the women holding the title have the authority to select a new candidate for the title, ensuring the continuous representation and functioning of the Council. If a Chief demonstrates a lack of concern for the people's welfare or disobeys the established rules, the men or women, or both jointly, have the right to voice their complaints to the Council through the Local Councils.
 
The complaint process is systematic and ensures fair representation and multiple opportunities for the Chief to address and rectify the issues raised. A Chief is expected only too be warned three times in open council: initially by their female relatives, followed by their male relatives, and ultimately by the Sachems of their respective nation. Should the Chief persist in neglecting the people's welfare or disregarding the rules, the matter is escalated to the Clan Mothers. The sachems acting on behalf of the women vested with the titleship, have the authority to divest the erring Chief of his title. Upon the deposition of the Chief, the women notify the Chiefs through their Local Councils for sanctioning. A new candidate is then selected by the women, and the local sachems proceed to elect and install the chosen individual.

Latest revision as of 14:41, 11 April 2024

Council of Seven Fires

ᎠᏯᎸ ᎤᏓᏅᏖᏂᏓ ᏍᎪᎯᏏ

ayvli udanvtinida sgowihvsgi
Council of Seven Fires
SealoftheMeoquanee.png
Type
Type
Term limits
No
History
FoundedJuly 15, 1910
New session started
July 22, 2024
Leadership
Chiefs
Seats50
Constitution
The Great Law of the Meoquanee

The Council of Seven Fires (ᎠᏯᎸ ᎤᏓᏅᏖᏂᏓ ᏍᎪᎯᏏ) is the highest council comprising Chiefs chosen from the nation-level councils. It serves as the primary legislative and deliberative body of the Meoquanee Nation. Composed of hereditary sachems known as Hoyenah, or chiefs, from each clan, the Council is responsible for major decisions and policy-making.

Composition

The Council of Seven Fires is an assembly of 50 Hoyenah (ᎤᏍᏗ) or Chiefs. When a leadership position becomes available, a candidate is chosen from within the clan and is ceremonially "elevated" by the local council consisting of all sachems. Upon assuming the role, the new sachem relinquishes their previous name and is henceforth addressed by their title.

Currently, the distribution of seats on the Council among the Seven Nations is structured as follows:

  • Nasawi: 10 seats
  • Wyanwa: 8 seats
  • Kathanti: 9 seats
  • Aelamet: 7 seats
  • Ashwaki: 8 seats
  • Dohute: 8 seats

Consensus in public actions is vital to the Council's operations. For amendments to Council laws and customs, a two-thirds consent from the Clan Mothers is mandatory. Major changes require a double supermajority for approval. Additionally, no treaty becomes binding unless it garners ratification from at least 75% of the male voters and 75% of the Clan Mothers within the nation.

Appointment

The process of selecting a new Chief to fill a vacant leadership position is a structured and ceremonial procedure. When a leadership role becomes available within a clan, discussions are initiated among clan members to identify potential candidates who exhibit leadership qualities, community involvement, and adherence to traditional values. Subsequently, a formal meeting is organized with the local council, comprising all sachems from the respective nations within the Meoquanee Nation. This council is tasked with overseeing the selection process and ensuring that the chosen candidate meets the criteria and expectations set forth by the community. During the selection meeting, candidates are given an opportunity to present their qualifications, vision, and commitment to serving the community. Following these presentations, the council engages in deliberations to assess each candidate's suitability and contributions to the clan and the greater Meoquanee Nation.

Before finalizing the selection, unanimous approval from the Clan Mothers is required, underscoring the importance of their input and guidance in the elevation process. Upon reaching a consensus and obtaining unanimous approval from the Clan Mothers, the council ceremonially elevates the chosen candidate to the position of Chief. This elevation ceremony often includes traditional rituals, prayers, and blessings to honor the candidate's new role and responsibilities within the community. Upon assuming the Chief position, the newly appointed leader symbolically relinquishes their former name and are addressed by their official title.

Powers

Removal

Should a Chief fail to attend the Council, the responsibility falls upon the Local Councils of the Chief's nation to request the attendance of the absentee Chief through their female sponsors. This is due to the bestowing of the title of Chief being hereditary right passed down through the female lineage of families and therefor respecting the proprietary rights of the females in the family to the Chief title. If the Chief continues to neglect or refuse attendance, the women holding the title have the authority to select a new candidate for the title, ensuring the continuous representation and functioning of the Council. If a Chief demonstrates a lack of concern for the people's welfare or disobeys the established rules, the men or women, or both jointly, have the right to voice their complaints to the Council through the Local Councils.

The complaint process is systematic and ensures fair representation and multiple opportunities for the Chief to address and rectify the issues raised. A Chief is expected only too be warned three times in open council: initially by their female relatives, followed by their male relatives, and ultimately by the Sachems of their respective nation. Should the Chief persist in neglecting the people's welfare or disregarding the rules, the matter is escalated to the Clan Mothers. The sachems acting on behalf of the women vested with the titleship, have the authority to divest the erring Chief of his title. Upon the deposition of the Chief, the women notify the Chiefs through their Local Councils for sanctioning. A new candidate is then selected by the women, and the local sachems proceed to elect and install the chosen individual.