‘Our governance is our way of life,’ says Anishinabek Nation Kwe-Wuk Council Member, Marina Plain

By Cindy Males

AAMJIWNAANG FIRST NATION – As a member of the Anishinabek Nation Kwe-wuk Advisory Council, Marina Plain is looking forward to the upcoming citizen vote on the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement and what it could mean to the betterment of Anishinabek Nation leaders and citizens.
The vote period is scheduled for February 1-29, 2020. So far, 28 Anishinabek First Nations have signalled their intention to run a vote in their community.
“Our governance is our way of life and to strengthen and reinforce commitments for the work we do is imperative,” Plain says. “The Governance Agreement has been reviewed by the expertise of the Anishinabek Nation Leadership, Restoration of Jurisdiction staff, Leadership Councils and the Legal Team. I believe in the Anishinabek Nation and all the great work that everybody does. I believe in the idea of all of us being One Anishinabek Family. I’m happy to be part of such a supportive and knowledgeable community.”
Ngo Dwe Waangizid translated into English is “One Anishinaabe Family”. It is included as the preamble to the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement. The Agreement is the result of more than two decades of negotiations between the Anishinabek Nation on behalf of its 40 First Nations, and Canada. Once the Agreement is ratified, the Government of Canada will formally recognize the law-making powers and authority of Anishinabek First Nations who vote in favour of it in the areas of the preservation of language and culture, who their citizens are, how they elect their leaders, and how their First Nations are managed. First Nations who vote in favour will be removed from the Indian Act governance in those areas.
“It is my view that all pillars are interdependent and equally important to bring the members to a place we should be, in front, leading the way while we assist each other in the best possible way,” says Plain. “In my view, the broad focus of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement is a collective approach to advancing our nations. The method seems to be focused on Anishinabek principles, unity and progress.”
Plain looks forward to what is possible once the proposed Governance Agreement is ratified.
“Creating our own laws and the resources to effectively administer them,” she says.
Anishinabek Nation leaders past and present have stated they wanted to get out of the Indian Act. Plain believes it is important to honour those leaders.
“If you believe in the work of our ancestors and the commitments they have made to advance us this far, please vote!”
Marina Plain responded to the questions for this story as a member of the Anishinabek Nation Kwe-wuk Advisory Council. She is also a citizen and councillor in Aamjiwnaang First Nation.