Political Update – March 2020
Aanii,
The final half of the year has proven to be increasingly busy as we have been working diligently with First Nations on the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement forging ahead with the Ratification Vote.
As you may be aware, the Anishinabek Nation strives to ensure that Regional Chiefs Meetings occur regularly in addition to Grand Council Assembly. These meetings are a great opportunity to communicate issues, challenges, accomplishments, opportunities or other activity, often community or regional-specific. In the third quarter, we met with all four Regions of the Deputy Grand Council Chiefs:
- October 3 we met with the Southwest Region Chiefs in Munsee Delaware Nation where Chief Roger Thomas hosted
- October 8 we met with Northern Superior Region Chiefs in Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek and Chief Melvin Hardy hosted
- October 10 we met with Lake Huron Region Chiefs in Sudbury
- October 16 we met with Southeast Region Chiefs in Chippewas of Rama First Nation and Chief Rodney Noganosh hosted
Anishinabek Nation has met with the federal and provincial governments on several matters, including meeting with Minister Rickford on October 7, 2019. The Chiefs Committee on Economy and Chiefs Committee on Governance met on October 29 and 30, 2019. The Lands, Resources and Economic Development Department hosted its 4th Annual Forum, Kina-Gego-Naabadosin – Everything is Connected, in Nipissing First Nation territory on October 22, 23 and 24, 2019. During this forum, the Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs and I participated in a Joint Plenary Session and Discussion, where we discussed primarily climate change and the role academia and sustainability play, but also winter road safety, particularly in northern communities.
In preparation for the Fall Assembly on November 5, 6 and 7, 2019, hosted by Chippewa of the Thames in London, several matters were identified in each region for follow-up which allowed for fruitful discussion during the Assembly. We also excitedly announced the appointment of the first Anishinabek Nation Children’s Commissioner who will provide high-level oversight over the implementation, compliance and enforcement of the Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law and the Anishinabek Nation Children and Youth Bill of Rights. The Child Well-Being Working Group met in Curve Lake the following week from November 12 to 14, 2019.
Leading up to the Ratification Vote of the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, there were many First Nations requesting updates and information for the vote in February 2020. We travelled to Red Rock Indian Band, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, Long Lake #58, and Fort William First Nation, along with the negotiators and Restoration of Jurisdiction Department Director, to speak to the Agreement.
We continued to build relationships with the Chiefs and Councils that were newly elected in First Nations in the Lake Huron Region. In December 2019, the Assembly of First Nations held its Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa. We took that opportunity to meet with the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs and discussed the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement and addressed questions about misinformation that was being circulated. Our negotiators worked to provide additional information to First Nations that required further clarification on the Agreement.
This will be a key year in regards to the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement votes are scheduled for February 2020 and May 2020. In the fourth quarter, the Restoration of Jurisdiction Department and First Nation Communications Coordinators jointly planned information sessions on the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement throughout the territory. I encourage all Anishinabek Nation citizens to attend the information sessions in their community.
We are developing the implementation plan for the Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law. The Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Working Group and sub-committees will continue to address implementation issues.
The Chiefs of Ontario Special Chiefs Assembly was hosted in Ottawa from February 4 to 6, 2020. We capitalized on the venue to meet with Minister Bennett on February 6, Minister Smith on February 26, Minister Hardeman on February 27, and Minister Elliot on February 28, 2020.
We have Leadership Table protocols with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (formerly Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada), the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. We are currently planning future meetings with each of these Ministries.
We have four regional meetings scheduled in each region during April as a lead up to Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly in June 2020. We look forward to meeting with all of the Chiefs at these meetings.
We have had some organizational changes recently, which included Gary Dokis retiring from his role as the Chief Executive Officer. We wish Gary all of the best and wish to acknowledge his contributions to the Anishinabek Nation over the past years. We give a warm welcome to Marcia Trudeau-Bomberry who is now fulfilling the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs and I regularly attend meetings in Anishinabek First Nations and we plan to visit all of our communities this year. If you would like to schedule us for events or meetings in your community, please contact our Executive Liaison.
We have an opportunity to move forward. Now is the time to move forward— our people are waiting for action. It is important that we continue to assert our jurisdiction. There is much to celebrate throughout the Anishinabek Nation territory! We are moving forward in education, child well-being, Anishinabek Nation law development, and constitution development. We intend to continue to focus on implementation activities. I have spoken frequently of the requirement to implement our initiatives, I believe that 2020 will be a successful year for the Anishinabek Nation.
Miigwetch,
Grand Council Chief Glen Hare