Exploring Government Powers: Local, State, Tribal, and Federal
90 min
Essential Question
- How do different levels of government—local, state, tribal, and federal—work together and independently to meet the needs of citizens, and how does this impact the lives of individuals and communities?
Objectives
- Students will compare and contrast the powers and responsibilities of local, state, tribal (including specific Native American tribes in Louisiana), and federal governments.
- Students will identify the powers, responsibilities, financing, interactions, and citizen engagement of their assigned Native American tribe.
- Students will participate in a panel discussion to present their findings and engage in critical dialogue on tribal governance and citizen engagement.
Student Resources
- Internet access for research
- Resources on the Chitimacha Tribe
- Resources on Coushatta Tribe
- Resources on Jena Band of Choctaw
- Resources on Tunica-Biloxi Tribe
Facilitation Notes
- In this lesson on government powers, students will explore and compare the roles and responsibilities of local, state, tribal, and federal governments. They will specifically research the governance structures and citizen engagement practices of four Native American tribes in Louisiana. The lesson involves group research, preparation of presentations, and participation in a panel discussion to critically analyze tribal governance and its interactions with other government levels. Through these activities, students will gain insights into the complexity of federalism and the significance of tribal sovereignty.
Anticipate
- Begin by reviewing the concept of federalism and how power is divided between the national, state, and local governments in the United States.
- Federalism is a foundational concept in the United States’ system of government, dividing power between the national (federal), state, and local governments. This division of power is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, which outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of each level of government. The federal government has authority over matters of national concern, such as defense, foreign policy, and interstate commerce, while state governments have powers over more local issues like education, public health, and transportation. Local governments, including cities, counties, and municipalities, have jurisdiction over matters within their respective boundaries.
- This lesson may be helpful additional background
- Engage students with a brief discussion or reflection on the constitutional framework regarding Native American tribes using the provided resources.
- Start by reviewing Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which includes the Commerce Clause and grants the federal government’s authority over Native American tribes. Highlight the significance of tribal sovereignty as a fundamental principle of Native American governance and the ongoing efforts to protect and uphold tribal rights within the framework of federalism.
- Lastly, highlight the significance of tribal sovereignty as a fundamental principle of Native American governance.
- Tribal sovereignty refers to the inherent authority of indigenous tribes to govern themselves within the borders of the United States. It is the recognition of tribes as distinct, independent political communities with the right to manage their own affairs, make their own laws, and govern their people. This sovereignty is rooted in the historical and legal relationship between Native American tribes and the federal government, which acknowledges tribes as pre-existing nations with their own governance structures. Tribal sovereignty includes the power to: establish and enforce laws, regulate membership, administer justice, manage natural resources, and engage in government-to-government relationships with federal, state, and local governments.
- Despite this sovereignty, tribal nations operate within the framework of federal law, and their authority can be subject to limitations imposed by Congress or judicial decisions.
Engage
- Divide the class into small groups and assign each group one of the four tribes to research.
- Provide each group with research materials and instruct them to gather information on the assigned tribe’s governance structure, powers, responsibilities, financing sources, interactions with other governments, and citizen engagement practices. Students may need to use outside sources for additional research.
- Allow students ample time to conduct research and take notes on their assigned tribe.
- Instruct each group to prepare a presentation summarizing their findings on the powers, responsibilities, financing, interactions, and citizen engagement of their assigned tribe.
- Remind students to consider different levels of government—local, state, tribal, and federal—work together and independently to meet the needs of citizens. Ask students how this impacts the lives of individuals and communities.
- Here are some guided research questions to support your students:
- Governance Structure:
- What is the governing structure of the assigned tribe?
- How is leadership determined within the tribe?
- Powers and Responsibilities:
- What are the key powers and responsibilities held by the tribal government?
- How do these powers compare to those of local, state, and federal governments?
- Financing Sources:
- What are the primary sources of financing for the tribal government?
- How does the tribe generate revenue to fund essential services and programs?
- Are there any economic development initiatives or partnerships that contribute to tribal financing?
- Interactions with Other Governments:
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- How does the assigned tribe interact with neighboring communities, local governments, and state agencies?
- Are there formal agreements or partnerships in place with other governments?
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- Citizen Engagement Practices:
- How do tribal members contribute to decision-making processes?
- Are there opportunities for civic engagement and activism within the tribal community?
- Governance Structure:
Explore
- Introduction to Panel Discussion:
- Review the purpose and format of the panel discussion.
- Emphasize the importance of active participation, respectful dialogue, and critical thinking during the discussion.
- Panel Presentations (30-40 minutes)
- Invite each group to present their findings on the powers, responsibilities, financing, interactions, and citizen engagement of their assigned tribe.
- Encourage students to use visual aids (such as posters or digital presentations) to enhance their presentations.
- Panel Discussion (40-50 minutes)
- Facilitate a moderated discussion among students, allowing them to ask questions, seek clarification, and engage in critical dialogue. Each group should assign a panel speaker from their group. They can take turns in the position.
- Encourage students to compare the governance structures and citizen engagement practices of different tribes.
- Guide the discussion towards understanding the broader implications of tribal governance for Native American communities and their relationships with other governments.
- Here are some sample questions you can use to facilitate the discussion:
- How does the governance structure of your assigned tribe compare to that of other tribes? Are there any unique features or characteristics?
- What are some of the key powers and responsibilities held by the tribal government? How do these powers intersect with those of local, state, and federal governments?
- Can you describe the financing sources of your assigned tribe? How does the tribe generate revenue to fund essential services and programs?
- How does your tribe interact with neighboring communities, local governments, and state agencies? Are there any challenges or opportunities in these interactions?
- What mechanisms are in place within the tribal government to promote citizen engagement and participation? How do tribal members contribute to decision-making processes?
- In what ways does tribal sovereignty impact the governance and decision-making processes of your assigned tribe? How does the tribe assert its sovereignty in interactions with external entities?
Reflect & Assess
- Conclude the panel discussion with a brief reflection on key insights gained from the presentations and discussion.
- Encourage students to consider the importance of tribal sovereignty, self-governance, and citizen participation in shaping the future of Native American communities.
- Here are some reflection questions you can use:
- What were some key insights or takeaways from participating in the panel discussion on tribal governance and citizen engagement?
- Reflecting on your group’s research and presentation, what aspects of tribal governance did you find most interesting or surprising?
- How do different levels of government—local, state, tribal, and federal—work together and independently to meet the needs of citizens, and how does this impact the lives of individuals and communities?
