Political Quarterly Update: Fall 2023
As the winter season begins to set in, we want to send our best wishes to all Anishinabek communities in your preparations for the holiday season. The holidays are a time for reflection, relaxation, and celebration and we extend seasonal greetings to all our communities this special time of year.
As we prepare for the New Year, we want to reflect on the activities and accomplishments of the past year. As always, the fall season is filled with an abundance of activity. It is important to meet this time of the year considering the final quarter of the fiscal year is forthcoming and we have a better purview of what our communities’ urgent resourcing needs are.
We feel privileged to see the beauty and resilience of our territory and understand some of the unique challenges our communities face. The Anishinabek Nation Fall Assembly in October was hosted by Aamjiwnaang First Nation, where Chief Chris Plain and the community welcomed us with open arms. During the Assembly, we discussed:
- A resolution that was passed to hold an in-person election for Grand Council Leadership starting in 2024. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the previous election was online, we will return to the Stand Up Voting Procedure and will exclude online voting to maintain traditions for this portion only. At this time, the system of Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs will also revert to a single Deputy Grand Council Chief position.
- Strengthening collaboration between the Ontario Technical Table – Interim Funding Approach (OTTIFA) and First Nations while demanding access to Indigenous Services Canada education data.
- Direction to advocate to increase funding for the Prevention-Focused Customary Care Program and to implement recommendations from Devon Freeman’s Coroner’s Inquest.
- Putting focus on wildfire management and climate change strategies and plans to develop carbon storage plans.
- Researching impacts of healthcare privatization and racism to advocate for culturally appropriate health, human resources, and policy reform.
- Direction to create and evaluate Safer Supply programs and to seek further funding and partnerships for harm reduction.
- Advocacy for funding and resources to develop comprehensive neurodivergent support programs.
- Exploring options for addressing adequate and effective law enforcement.
Members of the Executive Council also attended the Chiefs of Ontario Fall Chiefs Assembly in Toronto from November 20-23. The Anishinabek Nation actively participates in the Political and Technical Tables at the regional level and members of the Executive also chair some of the Chiefs Committees. We attend the assemblies to hear leadership’s concerns about top priorities and how impending legislation will impact our communities. On our radar right now is the upcoming federal legislation concerning Distinctions Based Indigenous Health as well as the First Nations Drinking Water and Wastewater where further resourcing and engagement is required. The Assembly also included updates on Long-Term Reform Child and Family Services Update, Policing and Enforcement of First Nations Laws, Restructure of First Nations Lifelong Learning Table, Supply Chain and Procurement, and the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario Federal Court Challenge.
Leadership continues to be concerned about legislation with implications for Treaty and inherent rights, in particular the impending federal Bill C-53, Recognition of Certain Métis Governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and Métis Self-Government Act. The Anishinabek Nation submitted a brief considering the impacts that this legislation will have on our collective rights. The brief, once translated, will be available online at the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee website. The following is an excerpt from the brief, which outlines what our approach has been and will continue to be in regards to this bill:
| Legislating inherent rights is contrary to the very definition of what an inherent right is. Inherent rights are recognized, not granted by Canadian law, notably in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. These rights are inherent because they originate from Indigenous peoples’ legal systems and practices, as well as their historical occupation and stewardship of their traditional lands. The role of Canadian law is to recognize and protect these rights, not to create or interfere with them. In this case, there is no evidence of historic Métis Communities in Anishinabek territory. Therefore, it cannot logically follow that the Métis Nation of Ontario has inherent rights, and therefore, this Bill will be challenged through a long and drawn-out process that benefits only those who have billable hours. |
Leadership from other provinces will be meeting in December to attend the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Election in Ottawa. We were happy to provide the opportunity for the candidates to have a meet and greet with Anishinabek Nation leadership in a caucus session during day one of the Assembly. They were also provided time on the Assembly agenda to overview their platforms and take questions from leadership. We extend our best wishes to the candidates as they ramp up campaign efforts and look forward to observing the election process.
We take every opportunity to meet with our ministerial counterparts to strengthen our relationships and work together to achieve the desired outcomes we need for our communities. We have recently met with the Canadian Minister of the Attorney General, Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Minister, and Indigenous Services Minister. With Ontario, we’ve met with the Ministers for Indigenous Services, Environment, Mining, Natural Resources, and the Solicitor and Attorney Generals.
The Eshki-niigijig Advisory Council representative, Pierre Debassige, accompanied by Grand Council Chief and Regional Deputies, met with the new Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks in Toronto on November 22. Due to a mini-cabinet Shuffle, this project that was being escalated by the previous Minister has been reintroduced to the new Minister. The importance of this project was expressed to the new Minister, expressing that water has spirit that must be protected. We are grateful to the Eshki-niigijig Advisory Council for its brilliance, wisdom, and unwavering leadership to advance this priority.
We will continue to put great efforts into ensuring the priorities and mandates are achieved to the best of our ability. We are honoured to represent the leadership and communities of the Anishinabek Nation in this capacity.
Noteable Meetings and Events:
- Robinson Huron Treaty Gathering, Sault Ste. Marie: September 7-9
- Commemoration of 10th Anniversary of Indian Residential School monument, Anishinabek Nation Head Office: September 29
- Anishinabek Nation Regional meetings: September – October (various dates)
- Anishinabek Nation 9th Annual Health Conference, North Bay: October 17-19
- Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity Evening of Excellence, Chippewas of Rama First Natiom: October 19
- Anishinabek Nation Fall Assembly, Aamjiwnaang First Nation: October 24-25
- Meeting Grand Council Treaty 5 and Anishinaabe Treaty Authority re: Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement: October 26
- 100-year Anniversary of the Williams Treaty, Chippewas of Rama First Nation: October 30
- Economic Development Opportunities Forum: October 24-26
- Meeting with Minister of Justice and Attorney General: November 3
- Treaties Recognition Week: November 6-10
- Maajishkaatoon Anishinaabe Naaknigewinan Maawnjidwin / Implementing Anishinaabe Laws Forum: November 20
- Provincial Lobby Day: November 29
- AFN National Chief Elections: Week of December 4
Upcoming Events and Meetings:
- Meeting with the Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Minister: December
- Federal Lobby Day: January
- Grand Council Treaty 5 Gathering: January 31-February 1
- Little NHL Tournament: March 11-15
- Trapping Gathering: Week of March 25