The General Council is the supreme, top-level branch of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Below is the reposted organizational chain of command and the constitutional proof confirming its status.
Ho-Chunk Nation Chain of Command
The Ho-Chunk Nation utilizes a four-branch system. The chain of command does not start with elected officials; it flows downward from the tribal populace:
Constitutional Proof of Top-Branch Status
All text references below are cited directly from the Constitution of the Ho-Chunk Nation:
1. Source of All Sovereign Wealth and Power
Article IV, Section 1: "The People of the Ho-Chunk Nation hereby grant all inherent sovereign powers to the General Council."
Significance: The General Council holds the initial, total reservoir of tribal authority. The other branches possess no independent sovereignty of their own.
2. Authority to Delegate Power downward
Article IV, Section 2: "The General Council hereby authorizes the legislative branch to make laws... [and] the executive branch to enforce the laws..." Significance: The Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary only possess authority because the General Council chooses to give it to them.
3. Power to Force Legislative Action
Article IV, Section 3(a): General Council policy resolutions must be turned into laws "by the Legislative Branch... within forty-five (45) days" and enforced by the Executive Branch "within sixty (60) days."
Significance: The General Council directly commands the workload and timelines of the legislative and executive branches.
4. Absolute Review and Veto Power
Article IV, Section 3(b): "The General Council retains the power to review and reverse actions of the Legislature... [and] decisions of the Judiciary which interpret actions of the Legislature."
Significance: The General Council acts as the ultimate checkpoint. It can completely undo laws passed by elected lawmakers or strike down judicial rulings interpreting those laws.