On Wednesday, Feb. 12, students gathered at the Michael O. Leavitt Center for a presentation on sovereign nations, followed by a slice of pizza.
Presenters Kelty Littrell and Sebastian Zuniga began the session with a lighthearted video asking students, “If there was a new sovereign country, what would you name it?” They then explained key concepts including sovereignty, internal and external sovereignty, nation-states, city-states, other sovereign entities and micronations.
The presentation explained the Montevideo Convention of 1933 — a treaty led by the United States that strengthens ties with other countries in the Americas. The treaty defines a “state” under four criteria: a permanent population, a defined territory, a government and the capacity to enter relations with other states. Students were prompted with the question, “Which of the four criteria do you think is most important for statehood?” 
“A permanent population and defined territory are probably the most important because without either of those, you don’t have people to represent or land for those people to live on,” answered SUU student Aidan Gates.
Littrell and Zuniga also discussed S.B. 57 or the Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act, which asserts the state’s sovereignty by allowing Utah to disregard federal directives, invoking the 10th Amendment to protect its authority.
The presenters asked, “Should U.S. territories be given equal representation in government? Why or why not?”
“This notion of no taxation without representation seems like a reiteration of that,” responded student Bryn Zachreson. “If there are American citizens and they are participating in other ways, they should have a say in the laws that affect them.”
The session then focused on Tribal and Indigenous sovereignty, as well as key federal legislation from 1830 to 2020. Following the presentation, students enjoyed pizza and interacted.
“I know that Native Americans are often portrayed in a historical context, but they are still here today,” remarked Littrell. “It’s important for students to see that Native Americans continue to thrive in communities, and we want to support and celebrate our Native American students here at SUU.”
Pizza and Politics meets every Wednesday at noon in the Leavitt Center. The next session will be held on Feb. 19, 2025, to discuss education policy. For more information and updates on events, follow them on Instagram.
Author: Katelyn Bonnett
Photographer: Katelyn Bonnett
Editor: Anna Mower
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