Home > Constitution
Constitution
Menu
What is a Constitution?
The Constitution is the backbone of NStQ government based on Culture, History, and Elders. The Constitution spells out how your government is set up, what the powers, duties and obligations of your leaders are, and what your rights are as NStQ Citizens.
All NStQ Members will encouraged to get involved in the development of the NStQ Constitution.
Why Does NStQ Need a Constitution?
NStQ has agreed, as part of the Agreement in Principle, that NStQ will have a Constitution.
The Constitution is intended to form the backbone of your NStQ government.
The main elements to be included in the NStQ Constitution are set out in the Agreement in Principle.
What will be covered in the NStQ Constitution?
- It will establish the NStQ government and set out its duties.
- It will explain how the government can make NStQ laws, and how Members get to provide input on those NStQ laws.
- It will set out that no NStQ law can go against the Constitution.
- It will require the NStQ government to be democratically elected with elections at least every five years.
- It will contain an NStQ Citizenship Code that will set out how someone becomes an NStQ Citizen.
- It will create rules for dealing with NStQ lands and interests in lands (like leases and permits).
- It will recognize and protect rights and freedoms of NStQ citizens.
- It will explain how the Constitution itself can be changed.
- It will require accountability of NSTQ government by establishing:
- financial standards similar to other governments in Canada.
- conflict of interest rules comparable to other governments in Canada.
- Rules for the removal of NStQ government members who do not follow the Constitution or other NStQ law.
- Rules to challenge NStQ laws.
How will the Constituion be Developed and Approved?
- The Constitution will be developed by working with NStQ Members. The idea is that all Members should have the opportunity to provide input on the document that forms the core of their governance structure.
- The Final Agreement will explain in detail how the Constitution is approved. Members will have the opportunity to vote on the Constitution.
Can the Constitution Ever Change?
- Yes. The Constitution is a “living document”. It is intended to be changed as required to meet the needs of NStQ. When changes are needed, Members will have the opportunity to provide input on those changes.