The Federation Of The Aboriginal Nations Of The Americas proudly announces the formal decree of the Law of Continuity by the Sand Hill Band of Raritan Lenape and Cherokee Indians, marking a significant moment in the continued development of Indigenous constitutionalism, diplomatic representation, and the preservation of enduring systems of governance.
For more than five centuries, the international arena has been shaped by written doctrines and legal frameworks that frequently centered Euro-centric systems of authority and political organization. Among these historical doctrines were Papal mandates and the Doctrine of Discovery, which were used to justify actions resulting in the dispossession of Indigenous lands, resources, and political authority, while denying the continued existence of Indigenous governmental systems and customary laws.
The Sand Hill Band of Raritan Lenape and Cherokee Indians’ Law of Continuity articulates a fundamentally different principle: that Indigenous Nations, governments, and political communities maintain their legal identity, responsibilities, obligations, and inherent rights through time. The Doctrine of Continuity recognizes that an international legal person, including an Indigenous Nation, persists as a legal entity despite changes, challenges, or transformations affecting its external circumstances. Its obligations, agreements, customary responsibilities, and relationship to its people and territory remain continuous. In principle, what is true in the beginning remains true through transformation; what is not taken away remains.
The Sand Hill Band formally decreed the operative definition of its Law of Continuity, placing into written form principles that have historically existed through its customary, spiritual, and governmental traditions. The Sand Hill Band’s relationship to Lënapehòkink, the Land of the Lenape people, predates the formation of many modern written constitutional orders and modern settlor states such as England, for example.
Through this decree, the Nation has established a formal expression of its legal and governmental continuity, providing greater clarity regarding its political identity, responsibilities, and relationship with other Nations. Citing its inherent, inalienable, and perpetual relationship to Lënapehòkink and Creator known as Kishelëmùkònk, the Sand Hill Band has affirmed that despite centuries of colonial pressures and external attempts to disrupt Indigenous governance systems, the Nation continues to maintain its ancient institutions, responsibilities, and systems of law.
The Law of Continuity represents the formal articulation of principles that have guided Indigenous governance across generations. It provides a foundation for continued diplomacy, Nation-to-Nation relationships, and the preservation of governmental identity. This decree serves as official notice that the Sand Hill Band of Raritan Lenape and Cherokee Indians continues to stand in the original seat of its government, within the Big House, as it has since time immemorial.
Principal Sachem Dr. Ronald Yonaguska Holloway stated that the Law of Continuity represents the enduring foundation of the Nation’s existence, institutions, and responsibilities as a people. He described it as a principle reflecting the relationship between the Nation, its ancestors, its homeland, and Creator known as Kishelëmùkònk. Holloway said he is tremendously proud of the work undertaken to formally define, preserve, and articulate the Law of Continuity.
According to Holloway, placing the principle into written form ensures that its meaning, responsibilities, and obligations will continue to serve the Nation and its Allies for generations to come. He emphasized that the Law of Continuity does not create the Nation’s existence but instead records and affirms what has remained throughout time. He said the decree represents the Nation’s commitment to maintaining its governmental traditions, honoring its ancestors, and protecting the responsibilities entrusted to it for the future.
His Excellency Ambassador Gerren O’Neill described the formal decree of the Law of Continuity as a significant achievement in diplomacy and Indigenous constitutional development. He stated that the Sand Hill Band has articulated a principle demonstrating the importance of continuity, responsibility, and lawful governance in relations among Nations. O’Neill said the declaration provides a substantive contribution to the recognition of Indigenous political identity and strengthens the foundation for respectful relationships between the Sand Hill Band, its allies, and the broader international community.
Chief Ambassador Douglas Scott stated that the Law of Continuity is an important affirmation that governance is sustained through responsibility, tradition, and the enduring relationship between a Nation and its homeland. He said the Sand Hill Band’s action demonstrates the importance of preserving governmental systems and ensuring that Indigenous Nations continue to express their identity, obligations, and responsibilities through their own laws and institutions.
The Federation Of The Aboriginal Nations Of The Americas recognizes this decree as an important milestone in the continued advancement of Indigenous governance and diplomatic representation throughout the Americas. The Law of Continuity stands as a declaration of persistence, responsibility, and identity, affirming the enduring principle that what has existed from the beginning remains through transformation.
Dr. Kevin Inglesby stated that the formalization of the Law of Continuity represents a significant advancement in the preservation and articulation of Indigenous governance principles. He said the decree provides a clear expression of the relationship between historical continuity, governmental responsibility, and the enduring identity of the Sand Hill Band of Raritan Lenape and Cherokee Indians.
Inglesby further stated that the work undertaken by the Federation Of The Aboriginal Nations through its member nation, the Sand Hill Band, demonstrates the importance of documenting foundational principles that have guided a Nation through generations. By establishing its Law of Continuity, he said, the Sand Hill Band has created a lasting framework that strengthens its governmental institutions, diplomatic relationships, and commitment to future generations.
