Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin

Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin is the Anishinabek Nation Constitution.

In Anishinabek News

• April 2013: The constitution was discussed in depth during a community engagement session at Henvey Inlet First Nation.
• January 2014: The Community Engagement Strategy sessions served to support mandates regarding this and First Nation constitutions. It is part of the broader effort toward the Restoration of Jurisdiction.
• June 2020: The Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly ratified the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin on June 6, 2012, in Sheguiandah First Nation. This constitution represents a return to traditional governance and is intended to facilitate decolonization and healing for the Anishinabek Nation. The document was confirmed through a Pipe Ceremony as a sacred commitment to live by traditional laws.
• June 2021: The Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly ratified this document on June 6, 2012, in Sheguiandah First Nation. It was developed over 13 years through consultations with citizens and leaders to establish a traditional government and protect Anishinabek people. A constitutional convention involving 125 participants drafted the document clause by clause in 2011 before its final proclamation.
• September 2021: The Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin was proclaimed in 2012 as the foundational law for the Anishinabek Nation. The preamble of the constitution contains Anishinaabe Laws as expressed by Elders. This constitution was developed ahead of the formal self-government agreements with Canada.
• November 2021: This constitution was brought into ceremony by Anishinabek Nation Elders on June 6, 2012. It was developed over 13 years through consultations with leaders and citizens of Anishinabek Nation First Nations. The document includes a preamble known as Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe, which was approved in 2011.
• November 2021: This document was developed over 13 years through consultations with leaders and citizens of the Anishinabek Nation. The development process followed traditional protocols and ceremonies led by Gordon Waindubence. The preamble for this constitution was approved by the Chiefs-in-Assembly in 2011.
• February 2022: This constitution was proclaimed on June 6, 2012. The holiday Anishinabek Giizhigad was established to honour the strength and history of this document.
• March 2022: The Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin was created as part of the restoration of jurisdiction process since 1995. This document includes a preamble known as the Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe, or One Anishinaabe Family.
• June 2022: This foundational document was ratified by the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council on June 6, 2012. It was developed over 13 years through consultations led by Gordon Waindubence and included traditional governance principles. The document represents a commitment by the people to live according to Anishinaabe law.
• February 2023: The document serves as the foundational legal framework for the Anishinabek Nation to govern itself. It includes a preamble known as Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe. The constitution was highlighted at a Lakehead University conference as a tool for exercising inherent jurisdiction.
• April 2023: The document's relationship to the clan system was a topic of discussion during a 2023 gathering.
• April 2023: The relationship between the Anishinaabe Dodemaag System of Governance and the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin was a key topic at a 2023 gathering.
• May 2023: This foundational document was proclaimed on June 6, 2012. New educational resources explain the significance of this constitution to students across Ontario.
• June 2023: The preamble to this document, known as Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe, was adopted on June 6, 2012. The document was developed with guidance from Elders and leaders to define the identity and laws of the Anishinabek Nation. Teachings regarding this constitution were shared by Chop Waindubence during the 2023 Anishinaabe Giizhigad celebrations.
• June 2023: The proclamation of this document on June 6, 2012, is commemorated by the annual Anishinaabe Giizhigad holiday.
• March 2025: The preamble of this document acknowledges that the Creator gave the people sovereignty to govern themselves. Chop Waindubence referenced this constitution during his 2025 presentation on traditional governance structures.
• March 2025: The preamble of this document, known as the Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe, was recited at the conference. Janine Knott performed the recitation during the opening ceremonies of the event.
• June 2026: This was proclaimed on June 6, 2012, in Sheguiandah First Nation. Its adoption is commemorated annually during Anishinaabe Giizhigad.
• September 2026: The preamble of this document is featured within the Giizisoo-Mzinigan language calendar.