Nipissing First Nation prepares for ratification on their Gichi-Naaknigewin

November 12, 2013

Nipissing First Nation Chief Marianna Couchie

By Faye Sabourin

NIPISSING FIRST NATION – Members of the constitution committee for Nipissing First Nation are ready for a ratification vote on their Gichi-Naaknigewin.

After several community consultation sessions, councillor and constitution committee member Arnold May says that the ballots for those who wish to vote by mail will be sent out starting November 14, 2013.

“Advance polls will be open on Dec. 5-6, 2013 and we will have the opportunity for community members to vote online until Jan. 10, 2014 the final voting day when counting of the ballots will take place.”

At previous consultation sessions, May presented a PowerPoint on topics surrounding the present Indian Act, reasons why a constitution was developed for Nipissing First Nation and the actual text of the Gichi Naaknigewin (Constitution). The presentation resulted in engaged conversation, good questions, concerns and discussion from session participants.

One participant, communications intern Hillary McLeod, said that the students at the Nbissing Secondary School session had a very good knowledge base.

“Their questions showed a genuine interest in a document that will govern Nipissing First Nation and its people for generations to come.”

These questions have circulated back to the Nipissing administration to show that the youth are discussing this very important governance piece in their homes and sparking an interest from their family and community members.

Faye Sabourin, Special Projects Coordinator for the Union of Ontario Indians Restoration of Jurisdiction department, attended the consultation to support the committee on behalf of the UOI Constitution Development Project. She said that the Nipissing Constitution Committee has worked very hard to put together a document that blends the community’s values and traditions with today’s modern policies and procedures.

The consultation sessions elaborated on the text of the Gichi Naaknigewin (Constitution) which comprised the Preamble; Part 1: Supreme Law, Part 2: Citation; Part 3: Definitions; Part 4: Purpose; Part 5: Official Language; Part 6: Citizens Rights & Freedoms; Part 7: NFN Values & Beliefs; Part 8: Preservation of Core Social Values; Part 9: NFN Debendaagziwaad; Part 10: Naaknigewin/NFN Governance; Part 11: Law Making Legislative Authority; Part 12: Governance; Part 13: Naakgdawenmowaadzhoonyaa/Financial Management & Accountability; Part 14: Statement Emergency Quorums; Part 15: Meetings & Decision Making Procedures; Part 16: NFN Gda-Kiimnaan Naaknigewin/Lands & Management; Part 17: Environment & Natural Resources; Part 18: Referendums; Part 19: Appeals; Part 20: Dbaaknigeng Minwa Mino Naaknigewin/Law & Justice; Part 21: Internal Legislative Redress; Part 22: Dbaaknigeng Minwa Ndooshkaagoo/Law & Restitution; Part 23: Compliance to NFN Gichi Naaknigewin/Constitution; Part 24: Ratification & Amendment of the Constitution; Part 25: Enactment Clause.

Another community consultation session is scheduled to take place Nov. 12, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. for the staff of Nipissing First Nation. Information is shared in Nipissing First Nation’s monthly newsletter and on the NFN website. Check out Nipissing First Nation Administration on Facebook or Twitter.com/Nipissing_FN for short video clips from Chief Couchie and others speaking the importance and the history of Nipissing First Nation’s Gichi-Naaknigewin.

For any other community in the Anishinabek Nation territory which is seeking support, guidance and/or resources to develop your draft constitution or prepare for ratification, please contact Faye Sabourin at 1-877-702-5200.