New Head Getzit for the Anishinabek Nation

The Grand Council Chief and the Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs attended Anishinabek Nation Head Getzit Nmishomis Gordon Waindubence’s home for a very special ceremony in October.  Getzit Gordon appointed Richard Assinewai as the Anishinabek Nation’s new Head Getzit. We say chi-miigwech to Gordon for his years of service and contributions to the Nation and look forward to Getzit Richard’s contributions.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe has been taking time to conduct regional visits of Anishinabek Nation First Nations over the past two months, along with the respective Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief.  The visits that have taken place to date have been very positive in that the Chiefs and Councils have been very receptive to exploring the ways in which the Anishinabek Nation can support them.  To date, regional meetings have taken place in the Northern Superior Region with Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Mel Hardy, Southwest Region with Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Joe Miskokomon, and four communities in the Southeast Region with Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief James Marsden.  Chi-miigwech to all communities for making the space and time to participate in discussions and provide feedback and requests to the Anishinabek Nation leadership

 The discussions are grassroots-focused with very prominent themes present across each Region.  Many times these themes are present in other Regions as well.  The Anishinabek Nation Executive Leadership Council has met to discuss the issues and concerns brought forward and we are individually and collectively eager to make the changes necessary to best suit the Anishinabek Nation, and more importantly, its member First Nations.

 These visits are a strategic approach to change, gauge an up-to-date list of priorities, and listen to the stakeholders. Part of remaining relevant to the Anishinabek Nation First Nations is to listen to the voices of the First Nations and elevate them. Where individual needs are unique, we want to facilitate and coordinate action with the First Nation’s presence and input, utilizing the leverage we have as a powerful organization with strong and effective leadership. 

 The feedback has given us a list of priorities and mandates to center our focus and our efforts. 

 Some of the priorities will include (among other things) addressing and prioritizing:

 • Mental health, addictions, detox, and recovery;

 • Mining, addressing climate change, Ministry Zoning Orders (MZOs), and establishing positions on nuclear energy and waste;

• Establishing timelines and deliverables for Health Transformation, and addressing Non-Insured Health Benefits disparities, and addressing racism in healthcare;

• Policing, criminal justice system, and iGaming;

• Addressing Broadband deficiencies and impacts; and 

• Escalating concerns and issues with the Additions to Reserve (ATR) process, land shortages, housing shortages, and other housing-related issues. 

We have begun creating a strategy to utilize other levels of government to escalate issues and will remain very active in our pursuits of action and commitment from the provincial and federal governments.

 The Political Office meets biweekly as an Executive Leadership Council, which consists of Grand Council Chief Niganobe, Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs Boissoneau, Hardy, Marsden, and Miskokomon, as well as Ogimaa Duke Peltier, Wiikwemkoong Representative, to discuss ongoing and pressing issues and to provide regional updates.

The Fall Assembly was well-attended and has produced resolutions to guide some of the work of the Anishinabek Nation.  A great deal of positive feedback and recommendations were received in terms of how we may maximize time and resources in future assemblies.

  The Anishinabek Nation Executive Council is actively planning agenda items for meetings with new cabinet ministers, as well as continuing discussions at both the provincial and federal levels.  We have active requests to both the Premier and the Prime Minister.

 Congratulations are extended to newly elected Chiefs and Councillors of the Anishinabek Nation First Nations. We continue to build relationships with Chiefs and Councils and will be reaching out to newly elected Councils in all regions in order to provide information on the Anishinabek Nation and to hear about issues and concerns, as well as highlights of the communities.  

 Grand Council Chief and the Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs will continue the regional visits to the Lake Huron Region with Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Travis Boissoneau and completion of the Southeast Region with Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief James Marsden in the coming weeks. The goal is to gain valuable feedback directly from our member First Nations so that we may better serve and advocate on your behalf.  

As always, if your community would like to schedule us for events, meetings, or political advocacy discussions, please contact Nikki van Oirschot, Director of Policy for the Political Office via e-mail: Nikki.van.Oirschot@anishinabek.ca, or reach out to your Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief directly.