Activate the Clans

It is time we activated the clans. Red Lake Clans are unique Anishinabe institutions and can be service organizations that can solve problems in ways that belong uniquely to the Red Lake Anishinabeg.

There are a number of questions that need to be answered in order to activate the clans:

Is there a need for the clans that is not being filled now?

Much (but not all) of the organization of the tribe is based on borrowed non-Anishinabeg modes of government. We have a constitution, and departments, and programs, which implement the ideas expressed in that constitution. These are all good things, but they lack essential elements for the well being of the people of the tribe as a whole.

The first element is that of original self-identification. The Anishinabeg definition and use of clans was an original means of self identification. Somewhere along the way the use of the clans as a means of self identification-other than identifying oneself as a clan member on an individual basis-was abandoned and needs to be reclaimed.

The second element is that clan membership reinforces the sense of being related and relationships.

The third element is service. I think historically through our relationship with it, non-Anishinabeg government has somewhat successfully inculcated into the tribe the sense that we are a welfare nation. By that I mean that the Anishinabeg operate on the assumption that our people must be given things because they are needy. In the case of the disadvantaged, it has some truth to it, but it is not a complete and accurate description of our tribe. It is important that we change this psychology.

Yes, we must look out for the welfare-as in well being-of some of our tribal members, but we need to do this in a way that recognizes that the Red Lake Anishinabeg as a whole can operate from a position of strength and power.

If the clans are activated as service organizations, this gives the tribe and its members this opportunity. When the Anishinabeg provide productive service to others from a position of power and do so without thought of getting paid for it, (other than the payoff of personal satisfaction) we cast off the psychology of neediness.

It is not that some of these opportunities do not exist now, but it provides a greater venue that is uniquely identified as Anishinabe.

The fourth element concerns our youth. Enrollment in a clan would help to keep them out of gangs because it would fill gaps that gang membership otherwise provides. It would give them something and someone to identify with, give them something to do, something they can aspire to, and something for which they can be respected and protected, all in positive ways.

How can the tribe recognize clan membership?

By this I mean the tribe should officially recognize clan membership by codifying recognition of clans in the tribal constitution. Perhaps a statement like: "The tribe shall have the Bear, Catfish, Eagle , Kingfisher, Marten, Mink, and Turtle clans as service organizations to fulfill the needs of the tribe and its members."

I believe that each clan should be a service organization. Each clan would have a liaison who works with and at the direction and in consultation with the tribal council. The tribal council would provide office space, an email address and a phone for clan members to communicate with their liaison. This liaison can be a leader of the clan or they can be designated by the leader(s) of the clan. The role of the clan would be to assist in the development of the tribal resources (its members and construction/utilization of its literal resources) and to assist in the development of the personal virtues/resources of the other members of the tribe (including clan members and members of other clans).

At this time, membership in a clan has personal symbolic significance for me. I am a member of the Marten clan. This makes me feel good about myself. But unless I personally put it into practice and use it as a reason for doing good deeds, it has no practical significance. Right now, on a tribal level it has no practical application, and in that way does not benefit the tribe.

How is clan membership determined?

Right now, membership in a clan is inherited. If your father was a member of a clan, then you are a member of that same clan. This is good, but it does not cover a number of present day situations that need to be addressed.

What if you do not have a clan or do not know your clan?

What if your father comes from another band or tribe that did not have clans or did not have the same clans?

What if you do not know your father? What if your mother did not know who your father was, or did not want your father to be a part of your life? What if you are adopted?

In one instance, membership in a clan can be based on your mother's lineage, as it may be now by default if you don't know who your father is but you know your mother's clan. Or you can choose to become a member of a clan if your mother does not know what clan she is in.

Every member of the tribe should belong to a clan and there should be an equal amount of the population in each clan.

How is clan leadership determined?

Eventually, each clan would determine how it elected its leader(s). Initially, one leader of each clan would be elected by existing members (those members who have declared themselves on their tribal identification). This initial leader would be a liaison with the tribal council for the first transitional term, perhaps a year, and would facilitate the creation of their clans infrastructure. That means they would chair the meetings where the clan members decided how to structure the clan. After the first year, the clan(s) would determine how long the liason stayed in their position.

What should the infrastructure of a clan be, or how should a clan be organized?

This would be determined by its members, although for the sake of consistency and simplicity, it might be nice for all the clans to be initially organized in the same way. If the latter, perhaps the leaders of each clan could meet and decide by consensus on how they are organized

Do we follow the traditional agenda of each clan? Does each clan continue with it's traditional responsibility or do it's members decide to be responsible in new ways?

As the times change, the needs of the tribe change, the responsibilities of each of clans would reflect this. For example, perhaps all veterans or current members of the armed forces would be in one clan that traditionally was charged with protecting the tribe...

How do we start?

The Tribal Council can either mandate the activation of the clans by resolution, or they can facilitate the activation of the clans by calling for a referendum.

Here are some possible questions that could appear on the referendum or be addressed by Tribal Council resolution.

Should the tribe activate the clans?

At the next general election, should the tribe place on the ballot the names of people who wish to run for clan liaison?

Should the tribe allow existing self-declared clan members to vote on who they want their liaison to be?

How shall clan membership be determined in the future?

So there you have it, my latest thoughts on Red Lake Clans.