The Quapaw Nation (OK) has approached Stanford Law's American Indian and Indigenous Law Program for assistance with drafting the Nation's first Constitution. The Tribe's current governing document is a Governing Resolution adopted in 1956, but several years ago the Tribe embarked on a process of drafting and adopting a Constitution. Students enrolled in this policy practicum will work with Professor Reese to review the Tribe's work thus far on developing a Constitution, distill the Tribe's governance priorities and preferences, troubleshoot potential challenges, and ultimately draft a workable Constitution that meets the Tribe's needs and fits the unique governance culture and priorities of the Quapaw Nation. This is envisioned to be an iterative process with frequent feedback from the Quapaw's elected government as well as the Tribe's General Council--which is composed of all eligible voter in the Tribe. Students will also be responsible for creating documents and/or presentations that communicate the purpose of different portions of the Constitution to the Tribe's elected government as well as to the rest of the Tribe's members. These documents and/or presentations could take a variety of forms but must explain certain structural or drafting choices clearly and effectively. The ultimate result of this work will be a Constitution that is--hopefully--adopted by the Tribe to govern itself for generations to come. Enrollment with consent of instructor. If interested, email resumes and transcripts to ereese@law.stanford.edu. Preference will be given to students who have taken Federal Indian Law or Tribal Law--though neither is a strict prerequisite--and have coursework or demonstrated professional interest in government or Constitutional Law. Attendance, performance, class participation, written assignments, presentations. Students admitted to the Policy Lab are eligible to enroll for 2 units. A limited 4-unit option may be available to admitted students by special arrangement with the instructor. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete a Consent Application Form available at SLS Registrar https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/ by SEPTEMBER LAW 12, 2025.
2-4 units · Law Mandatory P/R/F
The Quapaw Nation (OK) has approached Stanford Law's American Indian and Indigenous Law Program for assistance with drafting the Nation's first Constitution. The Tribe's current governing document is a Governing Resolution adopted in 1956, but several years ago the Tribe embarked on a process of drafting and adopting a Constitution. Students enrolled in this policy practicum will work with Professor Reese to review the Tribe's work thus far on developing a Constitution, distill the Tribe's governance priorities and preferences, troubleshoot potential challenges, and ultimately draft a workable Constitution that meets the Tribe's needs and fits the unique governance culture and priorities of the Quapaw Nation. This is envisioned to be an iterative process with frequent feedback from the Quapaw's elected government as well as the Tribe's General Council--which is composed of all eligible voter in the Tribe. Students will also be responsible for creating documents and/or presentations that communicate the purpose of different portions of the Constitution to the Tribe's elected government as well as to the rest of the Tribe's members. These documents and/or presentations could take a variety of forms but must explain certain structural or drafting choices clearly and effectively. The ultimate result of this work will be a Constitution that is--hopefully--adopted by the Tribe to govern itself for generations to come. Enrollment with consent of instructor. If interested, email resumes and transcripts to ereese@law.stanford.edu. Preference will be given to students who have taken Federal Indian Law or Tribal Law--though neither is a strict prerequisite--and have coursework or demonstrated professional interest in government or Constitutional Law. Attendance, performance, class participation, written assignments, presentations. Students admitted to the Policy Lab are eligible to enroll for 2 units. A limited 4-unit option may be available to admitted students by special arrangement with the instructor. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete a Consent Application Form available at SLS Registrar https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/ by SEPTEMBER 12, 2025.
Offered in Autumn 2025 at Stanford University.