Shawanaga First Nation approves Land Code, community to govern reserve land and resources

May 22, 2015
Lands Advisory Board Resource Centre representatives Crystal Restoule, Julie Pellerin, and Cassandra Cadeau with Chief Wayne Pamajewon, Committee Member Tim Ladouceur, Head Councillor and Committee Member Tobias McQuabbie, Elder Josh Pawis, Committee Members Pauline Janvier and Maryanne Geroux and Shawanaga Member Norine Pamajewon
Lands Advisory Board Resource Centre representatives Crystal Restoule, Julie Pellerin, and Cassandra Cadeau with Chief Wayne Pamajewon, Committee Member Tim Ladouceur, Head Councillor and Committee Member Tobias McQuabbie, Elder Josh Pawis, Committee Members Pauline Janvier and Maryanne Geroux and Shawanaga Member Norine Pamajewon

Shawanaga First Nation (May 21, 2015)  On May 20, 2015 by a record-breaking participation of 43% of all eligible voters, Shawanaga First Nation members cast their ballots in the Ratification Vote on their Land Code. With a vote result of 155 yes votes and 56 no votes, an overwhelming majority (73%) of the members who cast a ballot gave a clear message that authority over land governance will be returned to Shawanaga First Nation from the Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

The Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management was the first real recognition that First Nations have an inherent right to govern their own reserve lands and resources.

This First Nation-conceived Framework Agreement with Canada has expanded from the original 14 First Nation signatories in 1996, to 118 First Nations signatories in 2015. Shawanaga will now implement land governance, assume jurisdiction over their reserve lands and resources, and opt out of 34 land-related sections of the Indian Act – all critical steps leading ultimately toward self-sufficiency. The Shawanaga Land Code was drafted by the membership as a grass-roots movement.

It is one of the most significant historical events to take place at Shawanaga. Land management will now reflect the unique needs and traditions of the community, provide environmental protection for the reserve land and resources, and accelerate progress in areas such as economic development.

Shawanaga First Nation is located 20 minutes north of Parry Sound, Ontario and has approximately 600 band members. For more information please visit: www.shawanagalandcode.com or www.shawanagafirstnation.ca.

For further information please contact:

Chief Wayne Pamajewon 

Shawanaga First Nation

(705) 366-2526