Political Quarterly Update: Winter 2023
There is a new year upon us and we have had an eventful season that saw a lot of activity leading into the holiday season and beyond.
The beginning of the winter season had us busy with assembly activities, networking, and meetings with government counterparts. After our Grand Council Assembly in November, we participated in the Chiefs of Ontario Fall Assembly, followed by the Assembly of First Nations Winter Assembly.
We were pleased to see the passing of Resolution 40/2022: To Ensure Quality of Life to the First Nations Child and Family Service Program and Jordan’s Principle, by consensus. Finding a united way forward is crucial to ensuring progress towards positive outcomes for the children of our nations who are depending on this.
We would like to acknowledge the leadership who have been consistently advocating for solutions and to Adrienne Pelletier, Director of the Social Development at the Anishinabek Nation. Adrienne and her team have been steadfast in their work towards strengthening the system for children and families within our Nation – we know this mandate is incredibly meaningful for them.
Being at these events remind us about the importance of relationship-building and finding common ground amongst ourselves. Assemblies provide us with opportunities to gain perspectives from one another as First Nations, organizations, and partners, and to share information on issues, challenges, and successes. Building to strengthen our relationships with one another is essential, especially in the current reality of COVID-19 pandemic recovery and political unease. We understand that it is critical we work collectively and unified to be supportive of one another as communities and find solutions to our common goals.
This also rings true in building relationships with the Crown representatives at the federal and provincial levels. It is important that we do our best to maximize our time and amplify leadership presence while we are in the capital cities.
We often coordinate meetings with ministerial counterparts to ensure that Anishinabek Nation First Nations’ priorities are brought to the attention of the ministerial leads who can make decisions pertaining to funding, advocacy, and resource allocation.
On November 15, we had the opportunity to virtually meet with the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services of Canada, to discuss immediate priorities including health transformation.
Later the same day, members of the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council met with Minister Greg Rickford of Indigenous Affairs Ontario in-person to collaborate on numerous ongoing issues and emerging priorities.
Minister Rickford and his team engaged with us and discussed a number of issues that have been identified by leaders, including the Addition to Reserves (also referred to as Return to Reserves) process, traplines, policing and justice funding, Indigenous curriculum and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and the impacts of Bill 23.
We are optimistic that our governmental leads will work with us to achieve outcomes on our common priorities, both at the regional and community levels. We look forward to continuing building upon our working relationship with the ministries to advance solutions that will have long-term impacts.
Members of the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council including Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe and Regional Grand Council Chiefs Deputies Travis Boissoneau, Joe Miskokomon, and JimBob Marsden attended on behalf of the Anishinabek Nation to meet with the Premier of Ontario Doug Ford on January 17.
This had been our first official meeting with Premier Ford and his government since the provincial elections saw the Conservatives win a majority government in May 2022. A high emphasis was placed on Bill 23, the More Homes, Built Faster Act, 2022; Grand Council Chief Niganobe spoke on behalf of the Chiefs of Ontario to relay collective concerns about plans to construct within the Greenbelt and the lack of consultation with First Nations.
Parts of the Greenbelt run through the traditional territories of many communities that rely on the conservation of these areas. While we agree that more affordable housing needs to be constructed, it cannot be at the expense of protected wildlife and agricultural lands and this was emphasized by Southeast Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief JimBob Marsden during the meeting.
The potential harmful implications for developing these lands is extremely alarming and can impact everything from natural ecosystems to commercial food production and global trade.
During that same meeting, Lake Huron Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Boissoneau had the opportunity to discuss the collective priority of policing and justice and the need to increase resourcing at the community level.
The month of February has had a flurry of activities where we have been doing some exciting work in the last few weeks that included participation in the 7th Annual Economic Development, Lands & Resources Forum – Kina-Gego-Naabadosin (Everything is Connected). It was absolutely riveting to be in-person with First Nation leadership, citizens, and technicians and government, industry, and academia alike to collaborate on current activities and future opportunities.
That same week, we also had an opportunity to meet with the Nation Councils: Getzidjig (Elders), Kwe-Wuk (Women’s), and Eshekenijig (Youth).
We are beyond excited to re-engage with the Councils to support their roles and revitalize their work within our governance systems. Their contributions are foundational to our approach to governance. We rely on their wisdom and guidance in our leadership efforts and visioning for the future. We are also anticipating the formation of a Men’s Council and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Council to complete representation; recruitment efforts to come in the very near future.
Other Notable meetings and events attended by members of the executive:
● Meeting with Minister Lisa Thompson OMAFRA – November 15, 2022
● Sick Kids Hospital – Elected Leadership to be on Board of Directors – November 16, 2022
● Meeting with Minister David Lametti, Justice and Attorney General of Canada Re: Enforcement and Prosecution of First Nation Laws and by-laws – November 18, 2022
● B’Maakonigan – series of meetings with communities
● Leadership Council Meeting – December 15, 2022
● National Gathering on Unmarked Burials – January 16-18, 2023
● Chiefs of Ontario Employment Transformation meeting – January 16, 2023
● Anishinabek Nation Health Conference – January 17-19, 2023
● Grand Council Chief community visits – Southwest Region – January 17-20, 2023
● Health Transformation Leadership Meeting – January 2023
● Mental Health and Addictions Roundtables (Regional sessions) – January 2023
● Gas and Tobacco Forum – January 31 – February 2, 2023
● Chiefs of Ontario Language Conference – February 7-9, 2023
● Economic Development, Lands & Resources Forum – February 14-16, 2023
● AFN Health Transformation Strategic Planning – February 1-2, 2023
● Meeting with Minister McNaughton, Education Sector – February 6, 2023
● Chiefs of Ontario Health Forum – February 28 – March 2, 2023
Upcoming Meetings:
● Dodemaag Teachings – March 28-29, 2023
● Regional Meetings – April 2023
● AFN Special Chiefs Assembly – April 3-5, 2023
● Prospectors & Developers Association Canada (PDAC) 2023 – March 4-8, 2023
● Little NHL – March 12-17, 2023
We hope you all take time for yourselves during this busy season heading into the fiscal year-end.
As always, we take this opportunity to remind Anishinabek Chiefs and Councils that the Anishinabek Nation Executive is here for you and love hearing from you.
We will be planning more First Nations visits in the next fiscal year and we look forward to being welcomed into your community. Until next time, baa maa pii.