The Chippewa Indians white ground adopted new Constitution with religious protections

On 19 November, members of the White Earth Chippewa in Minnesota nation adopted a new tribal Constitution. (Full text). According to the web site of the tribe, the tribal Council earlier this year voted unanimously to hold a referendum on the draft that was the product of four constitutional conventions between 2007 and 2009.  In the vote on Tuesday, tribal members 2.780 (79.61%) voted to approve the Constitution and 712 (20.39%) voted against. According to Fargo Forum on Tuesday, the vote means that the White Earth reservation is breaking the 5 other tribes that make up the Chippewas of Minnesota. Included in the new Constitution is this provision on religious freedom:Chapter 3. Art. 1: The Earth nation white will make no law which would establish a religion, or laws that deny freedom of expression of religion, expression, or of the press, and electronic communication.This goes beyond the federal provision of the Indian Civil Rights Act (25 USC Sec. 1302) that requires tribal governments to respect the free exercise of religion, but does not prohibit the establishment of religion.  MRzine has more background on the new Constitution of the White Earth nation.