Council of Seven Fires
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Council of Seven Fires ᎠᏯᎸ ᎤᏓᏅᏖᏂᏓ ᏍᎪᎯᏏ ayvli udanvtinida sgowihvsgi | |
|---|---|
| Council of Seven Fires | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | No |
| History | |
| Founded | July 15, 1910 |
New session started | July 22, 2024 |
| Leadership | |
Chiefs | List of Meoquanee Chiefs since 2022 |
| Seats | 50 |
| 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.