April 25, 2025
First, I would like to address a common misconception regarding the “General Council.” It is important to clarify that this term encompasses every Delaware Nation citizen aged 18 and older, who collectively and individually possess full governing powers. The Constitution does not differentiate based on residency—whether one lives on or off the former reservation area, their constitutional authority remains intact. However, it is evident that without an engaged General Council membership and knowledgable leadership, we will diminish our own self-governing powers, which is crucial for the future and growth of our Nation. I want to lead the Nation again to bring about a transformational and necessary change in our governing .
For the past fifty-two years, the Executive Committee has functioned as though we were still under a home-rule system, which was established prior to adopting our Constitution. While we collectively enacted and always endorsed the Constitution, we didn’t transition into a constitutional form of government. Instead of developing into three distinct branches (legislature, executive and judicial) with clearly defined powers and checks and balances, we find ourselves still under a single-body (home-rule) system that centralizes authority within the Executive Committee. This has led to a regression rather than advancement and its not in our Nation’s best interests. The Executive Committee has gradually consolidated or assumed more authority, including powers from the General Council. It is vital that we rectify our collective misunderstanding of the Constitution to foster growth and realize our full potential.
The current situation does not reflect the intended function of a constitutional government, and it is essential that we bring about change for the sake of future generations. Our goal should be to restore the true spirit of our Nation, achieving common objectives through united efforts. It is time to reinvigorate our sense of Nationhood and come to a collective understanding of how our tribal government works within a constitutional framework, as if our future depends on it. Because it does.
The General Council is one of the three branches of our government, functioning as the legislative body of our Nation. It is essential to recognize that all powers not delegated are held by the General Council, contrasting with the specific delegation of powers to the Executive Committee as outlined in the Delaware Nation Constitution. The General Council is responsible for enacting all laws, with the exception of the Election Ordinance, but we can still overturn it. Except for that, all other laws currently being administered or enforced were not enacted by the legislative body - General Council.
Unfortunately, the General Council has not been guided as the governing body it was designed to be. Historically, no President, including myself, has fully embraced the opportunity to lead the General Council in its intended capacity—as a powerful lawmaking entity. Obviously, no one has ever acknowledged this or took corrective action. The relationship between the General Council and the Executive Committee should be complementary, where the General Council legislates, allowing the Executive Committee to focus on administrating what is legislated, its constitutional purpose.
The President is responsible for leading two governing bodies, achieving a balance of power with General Council’s legislative role and the Executive Committee’s administrating role in a united effort within the Constitution’s self-governing framework.
Now is the time to foster an active and informed General Council membership nationwide. By doing so, we can harness our collective governing power to ensure a brighter future for our Nation and its citizens. Let us work together to reinvigorate our government and make progress towards our shared goals.
My name is Kerry Holton, and I am committed to advancing the position of General Council with a fresh approach, one that should have happened fifty years ago. In my leadership opportunities, my leadership has been rooted in the principles of Transparency, Accountability, and Responsibility. I’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way and have been able to contribute to the many successes of the Delaware Nation, including putting us on the path to economic prosperity that our Nation enjoys today and going forward. I pledge to place our governing framework on the correct path that it always should have been on, while explaining the process and reasons in order to support our collective governing knowledge base.
As we look towards the future, my primary focus will be on elevating and empowering the General Council, fostering an inclusive environment that engages all members across the country. Over the past five years, we have witnessed an impressive increase in General Council membership, growing from 1,100 to 1,620 members. However, we mustrecognize that active participation currently still hovers around ten percent. This underscores a critical issue of apathy that I am determined to address.
I am convinced that many among us have yet to fully appreciate the profound value and significance of the General Council in fostering the success of our Nation. As we look to the future, I envision a pathway characterized by informed and transparent leadership, capable of highlighting the essential role of the General Council and encouraging greater participation. Together, we stand on the brink of exciting opportunities as we work to enhance our relationship with the Delaware Nation, embracing our roles as lawmakers and striving collectively towards the best possible outcomes for our Delaware Nation community.
