Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Implementation Working Group activities now underway

By Mary Laronde

ANISHINABEK NATION TERRITORY– Currently, the First Nations that have ratified the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement are moving forward with internal transition and pre-implementation activities, as well as participating in the Implementation Working Group (IWG), comprised of the ratifying First Nations including Magnetawan, Wahnapitae, Moose Deer Point, Nipissing, Zhiibaahaasing and others.

The draft enabling federal legislation, the Anishinabek Nation Governance Act, has been received from Canada for review and comment by the ratifying First Nations.

Meanwhile, our Fiscal Advisor and a representative of the Ministry of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) are updating the funding amounts in 2022 values. This is resulting in an increase in funding that the First Nations will receive per year in the first five-year Fiscal Transfer Agreement.

The IWG is working with Canada to develop the protocols for the Anishinabek-Canada Intergovernmental Forum.

Most exciting is the work the ratifying First Nations will do to create the collective body to support the ratifying First Nations in their governance activities. The possibilities for a coordinated approach to restore Anishinaabe Governance, Anishinaabemowin, and Anishinaabe Aadziwin are exciting. Since 1995, Anishinabek have been clear on their priorities: Language, Culture, Traditional Governance, Unity, and providing for the children and youth seven generations ahead.

The IWG Chair and Commissioner on Governance Patrick Wedaseh Madahbee, Fred Bellefeuille, Legal Counsel, and Janet Esquimaux, Governance Transition Plan Coordinator continue to help to facilitate meetings and will provide technical support to the First Nations individually and collectively.

There are nine major activities: the development of an initial body of First Nation Laws; establishment of Anishinabek Nation and First Nation registries; a repository of Laws; development and maintenance of a system for Access to Information and Privacy for First Nations and Anishinabek Nation; the development of the fiscal transfer arrangements; the establishment of spending authorities; enforcement and adjudication; and harmonization and alignment of Education and Governance. This will include the preparation of a work plan for the transition period along with creating Human Resource Capacity (Governance Position) at the First Nation level.

A Terms of Reference has been adopted in principle to guide the IWG.

Niigaan Zhaamin – Forward Together