Atikameksheng Anishnawbek announces a successful vote of the G’Chi-Naaknigewin
Immediate Release
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Naughton, ON – Atikameksheng Anishnawbek proudly announces their community has ratified their G’Chi-Naaknigewin (Constitution). The G’Chi-Naaknigewin was officially ratified by the membership of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek on Friday, July 24, 2015. Official counting commenced at 5:00 p.m. and the recount of the ballots by 2 registered voters who confirmed the membership ratified the G’Chi-Naaknigewin.
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek has been working on the development of the G’Chi-Naaknigewin for the past 10 years through community consultations, review and input from the Community, Gimaa and Council and the Constitution Committee. This long process ensured the document reflected Atikameksheng Anishnawbek values, traditions, principles and way of life.
The G’Chi-Naaknigewin applies to the Gimaa (Chief) and Council, Administration, Members and Residents of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. The Gimaa and Council, and the Committee’s expectations once ratified are Laws and Codes be developed and approved. These laws and codes will be derived from the G’Chi-Naaknigewin and give Atikameksheng Anishnawbek a strong, fair, transparent and responsible governance.
About Atikameksheng Anishnawbek
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek are descendants of the Ojibway, Algonquin and Odawa Nations. In 1850, Chief Shawenekezhik, on behalf of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek signed the Robinson-Huron Treaty granting the British Crown and their people (Royal Subjects) a right to occupy and share the lands of the Anishnawbek.
The First Nation is located approximately 19 km west of the Greater City of Sudbury. The current land base is 43,747 acres, much of it being deciduous and coniferous forests, surrounded by eight lakes, with eighteen lakes within its boundaries.
As of July 2015 the total population of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek was 1194 members.
The community has grown significantly throughout the years. Currently there are 135 houses located in the community, 30 cottages owned by residents on various lakes throughout the First Nation. Along the northern shores of Lake Penage, 43.5 acres of land was surrendered for cottage leasing purposes. Currently, there are 97 lots that have road access to the cottages. Not only is it road accessible but electricity and telephone services are available for the cottagers.
The First Nation Government belongs to a variety of political organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, Chiefs of Ontario, Anishinabek Nation and North Shore Tribal Council.
About G’Chi-Naaknigewin
The G’Chi-Naaknigewin is a document that protects and represents the values, traditions, principles and way of life of the individuals of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. The G’Chi-Naaknigewin was created from the foundations and way of life of the community.
Why the need for the G’Chi-Naaknigewin? It asserts their jurisdiction, reflects all Band Members as one people (all generations), and promotes a strong united community. The G’Chi-Naaknigewin is a statement to the world, it shows who they are, protects members rights, and it reinforces beliefs to work together as debeendaagizid (Those who Belong).
Ratification is the act of giving official sanction or approval to a formal document such as a Treaty or Constitution. Ratification is making something valid by formally confirming through votes.
Contact
To learn more about this, please contact:
Chief Steve Miller
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek
25 Reserve Road, Naughton, ON, P0M 2M0
Office: (705) 692-3651
Fax: (705) 692-5010