Anishinabek Nation citizens invited to join dialogue on Anishinabek self-determination and unity
By Mary Laronde
ANISHINABEK NATION TERRITORY— Anishinabek Nation E-niiganwidood E’Dbendaagzijig (Citizenship Commissioner) Dr. Jeannette Corbiere Lavell will hold four regional virtual engagement sessions on March 18 and 20, and April 1 and April 3, 2025, for all Anishinabek Nation First Nations leaders and citizens.
The purpose of the upcoming virtual events is to continue to build consensus on a proposed Anishinabek Nation Declaration on E’Dbendaagzijig (Those Who Belong). The draft Declaration was created at the E’Dbendaagzijig (Citizenship) Gathering on January 29, 2025, that primarily focused on Anishinabek Nation sovereignty, history, traditional governance, and inherent rights as related to E’Dbendaagzijig laws and cultural identity.
In 2009, the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council adopted the E’Dbendaagzijig Naaknigewin, a framework for Anishinabek First Nation citizenship laws. This framework law centres on the one-parent rule and is based on the inherent right of self-determination. The Citizenship Law was the response to the Government of Canada’s Indian Status termination policies. Likewise, the proposed Anishinabek Nation Declaration on E’Dbendaagzijig is a guiding document, akin to, and integrating Anishinaabe Law and principles as expressed in Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe (One Anishinaabe Family).
“The Anishinabek Nation Declaration on E’Dbendaagzijig will be a guiding document for Anishinaabe First Nations to assert our nationhood and implement our Anishinaabe citizenship laws”, said Dr. Jeannette Corbiere Lavell. “Our solution to the second-generation cut-off, voting thresholds, and the Indian Act is our Inherent Rights, Anishinaabe Law, and our Treaty Rights.”
Dr. Corbiere Lavell has been a member of the Indigenous Advisory Process (IAP) since Canada launched the Collaborative Process on the Second-Generation Cut-Off and the Section 10 Voting Thresholds in November 2023. In December 2024, Phase 2, the Consultation Activities and Events Stage, was set in motion.
Canada is undertaking its Collaborative Process because of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and its United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which became law on June 21, 2021. Under the Act, the Government of Canada must work in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to “take all measures necessary to ensure the laws of Canada are consistent with the UNDRIP.”
In Canada’s Action Plan, Chapter 2 – First Nation Priorities, Canada’s objective is to seek solutions “to make the Indian Act registration and band membership provisions more consistent with the UN Declaration until a clear consensus on a way forward on comprehensive change or the Act’s repeal is possible.”
As Canada makes plans for amendments to and the repeal of the Indian Act, we are at a crucial time.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED AND BE HEARD
Anishinabek Nation member First Nations leaders and citizens are encouraged to join this important discussion on Anishinabek self-determination by clicking on the link to register for the corresponding session for your region. All webinars will run from 6:30-8PM EST on the following dates:
March 18 – Southeast Region: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zngAou5DRXich9684aWCoA
March 20 – Southwest Region: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Df6fzA4pQVC8giv9R9AcmA
April 1 – Lake Huron Region: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cbFTR_nRReqMiuKmIlE3bg
April 3 – Northern Superior Region: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UFxCY-lERIuAUWE623S56A
Note: To determine what region your Anishinabek Nation member First Nation pertains to, please visit the Anishinabek Nation territory map before registering.
