Magnetawan First Nation hosts Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Community Celebration

By Rick Garrick

MAGNETAWAN FIRST NATION — Magnetawan First Nation Chief Lloyd Myke opened up the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Community Celebration by stressing the importance of the opening prayer and drum song at the Oct. 22 gathering in his community.

The Governance Agreement, the first self-government agreement of its kind in Ontario, was signed virtually on Apr. 6, 2022, received Royal Assent on Jun. 23, and came into effect on Oct. 1 with five signatory communities: Moose Deer Point, Zhiibaahaasing, Magnetawan, Nipissing, and Wahnapitae.

“These are the ways that we’re going to keep moving forward, by using our culture, our language, our teachings,” Chief Myke says. “This Governance Agreement and the way we talk about it, is the roots of how we are and how we are going to keep leading and moving forward in our communities, all our communities.”

Chief Myke also offered congratulations to everyone in the five signatory First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement.

“I also celebrate with all of you in your communities as well today,” Chief Myke says. “It’s a beautiful day today and it’s a great day for a celebration.”

Moose Deer Point Gimaa Kwe Rhonda Williams-Lovett thanked the citizens who voted for the Governance Agreement in her community in February 2020.

“Without them, this would not be possible today and we would not be a part of your celebration,” Gimaa Kwe Williams-Lovett says. “They said ‘yes, we’re going to accept responsibility for our community and we’re going to move forward in a good way’. We are going to govern ourselves now and we’re not going to be told what to do anymore, so to them: this day is for you.”

Zhiibaahaasing Chief Irene Kells says the day of the Community Celebration should be a holiday.

“We did something great,” Chief Kells says. “Today is just a wonderful day to share with everybody on what has happened.”

Chief Kells says the late Anishinabek Nation Head Getzit Mishomis Gordon Waindubence-baa was a big part of the development of the Governance Agreement.

“He had a lot to do on how to look at ourselves as Anishinabek people,” Chief Kells says. “He made me feel good as an Anishinaabekwe. Today, I can say that I’m going to encourage my young people to say that, be proud.”

Wahnapitae Chief Larry Roque says they developed and signed on to the Governance Agreement for the youth.

“When I see all these youth here, it’s so nice to see,” Chief Roque says. “This is what we’re working for, this is for the future of our children; to make a better life than what we had. I appreciate all the work that everybody’s doing to bring that back.”

Chief Roque says he also listened to the late Gordon Waindubence-baa’s stories, noting he didn’t always know if he was telling just a story or if he was telling them something they should know, but it was always a pleasure to hear him laugh.

“I’m sure right now in the Spirit World he is looking down on us and he is very proud of what everybody is doing here,” Chief Roque says.

Chief Myke adds that the Governance Agreement is not just for the Anishinabek Nation.

“This is being looked at Canada-wide as to how this is going to look [moving] forward,” Myke says. “They want to see how it is going to work out as well, but that’s going to come from our [citizens] here in our communities. You are going to set these directions and that as well and you’re going to lead the way.”

Chief Myke says he is proud of his community for wanting to step up with the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement.

“I’m really looking forward to the next few years because once these laws are created, they are going to give us the tools to better guide ourselves and we’re going to be going forward in a good way,” he says. “We’re going to use our language, we’re going to use our culture and we’re going to use our good thoughts and our good minds and our good hearts to lead in these initiatives in a good way. It’s unfortunate it has taken over 150 years to claim something back that is rightfully ours.”

Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod, one of the five signatories, was unable to attend the gathering.

To learn more about the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, please visit: governancevote.ca