Curve Lake First Nation approaches Band Council Resolution
By Kirk Titmuss
CURVE LAKE FIRST NATION—Curve Lake First Nation, just north of Peterborough, moved closer to signing a Band Council Resolution January 24, which would authorize a ratification vote by its citizens on the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement (ANGA). The ANGA would recognize the law making power of those First Nations who ratify the ANGA, to pass their own laws in relation to elections for their Chief and Councils, language and culture, citizenship and financial management laws.
Presentations made to Curve Lake’s Chief and Council by the Anishinabek Nation Restoration of Jurisdiction department team covered both the legal and fiscal details of what the ANGA will mean to the First Nation and its citizens. The agreement focuses on four areas of governance, including leadership selection, citizenship, language and culture, and the management and operation of government.
Former Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee spoke of the long journey to gradually move out of the Indian Act.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s all about whatever makes sense to the running of your First Nation here,” Madahbee explained. “The important thing is the development of your community. These are things we’ve talked about for years now.”
Several council members requested more details on the ANGA funding arrangement, asking how much money would come to the First Nation, whether the annual funding for governance would be indexed to inflation and whether other First Nations’ funding formulas would affect Curve Lake’s.
Fiscal Analyst Jide Afolabi, who previously worked on the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement for the federal government, presented the fiscal side of the ANGA. He says he understands the concerns that surfaced.
“I think the big thing is wanting to ensure when the lights come on, on day one, that it’s clear what happens. So, there was a question about ensuring the current funding arrangement, beyond what this thing deals with, is protected. We want to make sure that people have in their minds what’s going to happen and it’s not going to rock the boat and that’s exactly what this thing has been designed to do.”
Afolabi further explained that the ANGA principles for calculating transfer payments, ways to deal with extraordinary circumstances, and ensuring an opportunity to discuss general funding increases. Additionally, funds flowing through the Fiscal Agreement will not be subject to third party management.
Curve Lake Chief Phyllis Williams says she feels the ANGA is a positive step forward for her First Nation.
“I think we’re long overdue to do things ourselves, our own way without the government hovering over us, requesting that accountability to the federal government. We need to go back to those old ways where we can not only work within the community, but work together as a nation.”
After the meeting, council met to finalize Curve Lake’s constitution, which will allow the First Nation to hold a ratification vote on the ANGA later this year.