At Lighting Across the Plains in 2010, the Midwest Thing was held and leaders and representatives from the 23 kindreds in attendance, agreed to five basic laws.

1) Every kindred and tribe will be autonomous. Every kindred and tribe will have it's own leadership and the Thing will not interfere with the internal matters of any kindred or tribe.

2) The activities and efforts of each autonomous kindred and tribe will remain their own. The Thing serves only to coordinate efforts and allow tribes to work together more effectively. The Thing itself will not run or control any of these efforts.

3) At each Midwest Thing, the Lawspreaker will be elected for the upcoming year and the next Midwest Thing. The Lawspeaker is a facilitator of the Thing and not the leader. Leadership of the Thing lies with the Chieftains, Godthi's, and Elders of the involved Midwest kindreds and tribes.

4) Individual heathens, kindreds, and tribes are responsible for resolving their own conflicts and problems whenever possible. The resolution of problems brought before the Thing shall primarily be done by third party mediation by someone both parties agree too, whenever possible.

5) The Thing will be held annually at Lightning Across the Plains, in order to provide a centralized and inexpensive venue for heathens, kindreds, and tribes to most easily attend.

This public forum will serve as a place for all heathens, kindreds, and tribes here in the Midwest to have discussions, promote events, and coordinate efforts in our region.