Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement

Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement is a self-government agreement between the Anishinabek Nation and Canada.

In Anishinabek News

• December 2018: The agreement recognizes the self-governance of member nations and removes them from governance sections of the Indian Act. A funding package is included to support the transition to self-government and the ongoing operation of First Nation governments. A ratification vote for the agreement is scheduled to take place in 2019.
• June 2019: This self-government agreement with Canada recognizes the law-making authority of member nations over elections, citizenship, language, and culture. The agreement includes one-time implementation funding to help communities transition out of specific sections of the Indian Act. Citizens of participating Anishinabek Nation communities will vote on the proposal through mail-in ballots, e-voting, or in-person polling.
• July 2019: The agreement is described as a step toward self-government that would allow communities to move out from under the Indian Act. Under this deal, Canada recognizes the inherent right of the Anishinabek Nation to create its own laws. The agreement includes negotiated funding from Canada to operate First Nation governments.
• July 2019: The agreement was developed over 25 years following a 1995 resolution by the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly. It recognizes the inherent right of member communities to create their own laws regarding language and culture, citizenship, leadership selection, and management and operations. First Nations that approve the deal will receive at least $1.7 million annually for governance activities and will no longer require federal approval for laws in these areas. The final draft was completed in 2019 with community votes expected to take place later that year.
• July 2019: The agreement is designed to formally recognize the right of Anishinabek Nation communities to govern themselves. Ratifying the agreement would allow First Nations to create their own laws regarding financial management, elections, language, culture, and citizenship. The agreement aims to remove participating communities from certain constraints and policies dictated by Canada under the Indian Act.
• August 2019: This agreement includes specific provisions regarding citizenship for the member communities of the Anishinabek Nation.
• August 2019: The agreement would recognize the law-making powers of Anishinabek Nation communities over leadership, citizenship, and government operations. If ratified, it would be the first Indigenous self-government governance agreement in Ontario. A ratification vote for the agreement was scheduled to take place between February 1 and February 29, 2020.
• October 2019: The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement focuses on restoring jurisdiction in the areas of elections, citizenship, language and culture, and government operations. The agreement aims to move communities away from the control of the Indian Act and does not impact rights protected by Section 35 of the Constitution. The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement includes a process called the Intergovernmental Forum to establish a new relationship with other governments.
• October 2019: The agreement would remove ratifying First Nations from Indian Act jurisdiction regarding leadership selection, citizenship, financial management, and language and culture. A ratification vote for the agreement is scheduled to take place from February 1 to 29, 2020. The deal identifies the recognition by Canada of the inherent right of the Anishinabek Nation to govern itself.
• November 2019: The agreement would recognize the authority of member First Nations to create laws regarding elections, citizenship, culture, and financial management. A ratification vote for the agreement is planned for February 2020 with a required voter participation threshold of 25 per cent plus one. First Nations must establish their own constitutions before they can ratify this governance deal. Negotiations for this self-government framework have been ongoing for approximately 25 years.
• November 2019: A vote on the proposed agreement is scheduled to take place from February 1 to 29, 2020. The agreement would grant participating First Nations law-making authority over leadership selection, citizenship, government operations, and the protection of language and culture. Upon ratification, the governance sections of the Indian Act would no longer apply to the involved First Nations.
• December 2019: The agreement recognizes the law-making authority of First Nations regarding language, culture, and government management. A citizen vote on the proposed agreement is scheduled to take place throughout February 2020. The agreement proposes the formal recognition of both First Nation governments and a central Anishinabek Nation government.
• December 2019: The agreement focuses on critical areas including citizenship, language, culture, elections, and government management. Patricia Tangie argued that this agreement could help create strong governments if supported by a robust implementation plan.
• December 2019: The agreement is the result of over 20 years of negotiations between the Anishinabek Nation and Canada. If ratified, it would recognize the authority of member First Nations to manage their own elections, citizenship, language, and culture. A vote for Anishinabek Nation citizens to decide on the agreement was scheduled for February 2020.
• January 2020: Citizens of the Anishinabek Nation were scheduled to vote on the ratification of this agreement throughout February 2020. The agreement would remove participating First Nations from Indian Act provisions regarding leadership selection, citizenship, and government operations. The Government of Canada would formally recognize the law-making powers and authority of nations that ratify the agreement.
• January 2020: Scott McLeod described this agreement as a small but vital step toward achieving sovereignty for member communities. The agreement is intended to provide financial resources to communities for governance areas they may already be managing independently. It aims to empower individual communities to drive their own destinies rather than centralizing power within the Union of Ontario Indians.
• January 2020: The agreement is based on the recognition that the inherent right of self-government is an existing aboriginal right within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. It recognizes law-making powers for First Nations over elections, citizenship, language, culture, and government operations. As of January 2020, the agreement provides that governance funding will increase seven-fold for participating communities. Each community that ratifies the agreement will receive $548,000 in additional funding to assist with implementation.
• January 2020: The agreement is described as a method of actioning the inherent right to self-government while securing tools to undo colonial damage. It reconciles the Canadian constitutional order with Anishinabek ways of knowing by embedding Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe at its beginning. The agreement requires Canada to recognize laws passed by Anishinabek people as an expression of their inherent rights rather than relying on colonial legislation.
• January 2020: The agreement has been under development for 25 years and requires a ratification vote by eligible community members. To participate in the vote, a First Nation must have its own constitution and a Band Council Resolution. Communities that ratify the agreement are eligible for governance and implementation funding.
• February 2020: The agreement has been in negotiation for nearly 25 years and aims to move Anishinabek Nation communities away from the Indian Act. It would grant law-making authority in four areas: leadership selection, language and culture, citizenship, and government operations. A ratification process for the agreement took place in February 2020.
• February 2020: The agreement seeks federal recognition of law-making authority in leadership selection, citizenship, language and culture, and government operations. As of February 2020, citizens of member First Nations were scheduled to vote on the proposal during February and May 2020. The Grassroots Collective organized a rally in February 2020 to demand a stop to the agreement.
• March 2020: The agreement recognizes the authority of First Nations to create laws concerning leadership selection, citizenship, language, culture, and government operations. Ratifying the agreement would remove participating First Nations from the governance provisions of the Indian Act. To ratify the agreement, a community must have more 'yes' than 'no' votes and meet a minimum turnout of 25 percent plus one of eligible voters.
• March 2020: Ratification votes for this agreement were scheduled for February and May 2020 across Anishinabek Nation territory. Leadership and negotiators visited communities such as Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg and Long Lake #58 to provide information and address misinformation about the deal. The Restoration of Jurisdiction Department and First Nation Communications Coordinators planned information sessions throughout the territory regarding the proposed agreement.
• November 2020: The agreement provides an opportunity for First Nations to establish their own governance systems and move away from the Indian Act. A primary feature of the agreement is establishing jurisdiction and funding for language and culture.
• February 2021: The agreement would formally recognize the law-making powers and authority of Anishinabek Nation member communities. Ratifying the agreement would remove participating First Nations from specific sections of the Indian Act related to governance and citizenship. The proposal focuses on four foundational pillars: elections, language and culture, citizenship, and fiscal operations.
• February 2021: The agreement covers four key areas of governance, including citizenship and the selection of leadership. Moose Deer Point First Nation ratified the proposed agreement in 2020. The agreement is viewed as an opportunity to revive culture and language while moving away from the restrictions of the Indian Act.
• May 2021: This agreement provides participating First Nation communities with funding to implement priorities such as language laws. Nipissing First Nation has ratified the agreement to support its administrative and cultural goals.
• August 2021: Seven communities have already ratified this agreement as of August 2021. The Anishinabek Nation is providing information and support to other member nations holding ratification votes.
• September 2021: The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement involves Canada recognizing the authority of First Nations over citizenship, language, culture, and leadership selection. This agreement is intended to remove participating communities from specific governance sections of the Indian Act while protecting existing Aboriginal and treaty rights. The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement does not define or alter inherent rights, which are considered to exist outside of the constitutional framework of Canada.
• September 2021: The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement replaces Indian Act provisions concerning elections, membership, and the passing of Band Council Resolutions. As of September 2021, seven First Nations have ratified the agreement and are engaged in pre-implementation activities. The agreement removes the requirement for ministerial approval of laws and establishes internal appeals bodies for First Nation citizens.
• September 2021: The agreement is supported by Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux and Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.
• January 2022: The agreement outlines opportunities for signatory communities to exercise their inherent right to self-governance. Wahnapitae First Nation was one of the first communities to sign the agreement in early 2020. Implementation of the agreement involves extensive community consultation and the development of new laws over several years.
• February 2022: The agreement covers the management of government, leadership selection, language, culture, and citizenship. Leaders discussed how this agreement allows communities to move forward with their own E’Dbendaagzijig laws.
• March 2022: The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement replaces Indian Act provisions concerning elections, membership, and meetings with recognized inherent jurisdiction. This agreement removes the requirement for ministerial approval of laws and band council resolutions. The agreement establishes a government-to-government relationship with Canada and provides an enhanced fiscal transfer arrangement.
• March 2022: As of March 2022, several First Nation communities have ratified the agreement and are engaged in internal transition and pre-implementation activities. The agreement aims to restore Anishinaabe governance, language, and culture through a coordinated approach. A working group is developing protocols for an intergovernmental forum between the Anishinabek Nation and Canada under this agreement.
• April 2022: The agreement was signed on April 6, 2022, following over 20 years of negotiations between the Anishinabek Nation and the Government of Canada. It recognizes the law-making authority of signatory First Nations over governance, leadership selection, citizenship, and the protection of language and culture. Once implemented through federal legislation, the agreement will exempt signatory communities from the governance provisions of the Indian Act.
• May 2022: The agreement establishes a collective governing body now known as B'Maakonigan. Communities that ratify the agreement are at the forefront of exercising Anishinaabe law and transforming governance away from the Indian Act.
• June 2022: A virtual signing ceremony for this agreement was held on April 6, 2022, involving five member First Nations.
• June 2022: The agreement was signed on April 6, 2022, following negotiations that began in 1995 between Canada and the Anishinabek Nation. It removes signatory First Nations from Indian Act provisions regarding leadership selection, citizenship, language and culture, and government operations. The agreement has an effective date of October 1, 2022.
• October 2022: The agreement officially came into effect on October 1, 2022, following twenty-five years of negotiations. It recognizes the law-making powers of signatory First Nations regarding elections, citizenship, government operations, and the protection of language and culture. This is the first self-government agreement of its kind in Ontario and removes signatory communities from parts of the Indian Act. The agreement was signed in April 2022 and received Royal Assent on June 23, 2022.
• October 2022: The agreement allows ratified First Nations to create laws for the restoration and preservation of their language and culture. Under this agreement, certain provisions of the Indian Act regarding governance no longer apply to participating communities. The agreement enables First Nations to determine their own citizenship and selection processes for leadership.
• October 2022: The agreement officially came into effect on October 1, 2022, after receiving Royal Assent in June. It allows signatory communities to move away from sections of the Indian Act and govern their own elections, language, and citizenship. Negotiations for this agreement began in 1995 and led to an agreement-in-principle in 2007.
• October 2022: The agreement focuses on four areas of jurisdiction: leadership selection, citizenship, language and culture, and government operations. A presentation on the agreement was held at Magnetawan First Nation to discuss the transition away from the Indian Act.
• October 2022: The agreement was signed virtually on April 6, 2022, and received Royal Assent on June 23, 2022. It came into effect on October 1, 2022, with five signatory communities. The agreement allows participating First Nations to govern themselves and move away from external control.
• February 2023: The agreement established B'Maakonigan as a central body to assist signatory communities. Five First Nations have signed the agreement as of February 2023.
• April 2023: The agreement is supported by the central governing body known as B'Maakonigan.
• April 2023: B'Maakonigan serves as the governing body for the First Nations that have signed the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement.
• January 2024: The agreement was amended in December 2023 to recognize traditional community decision-making processes for ratification. A previous federal policy in the agreement required a 25 percent plus one voting threshold, which many Anishinabek Nation communities found difficult to meet. The new ratification process established by the amendment is now known as the First Nation Approval Process.
• April 2024: The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement recognizes the rights of signatory First Nations to manage their own leadership selection, language, culture, and operations. This agreement allows participating communities to move away from the regulations of the Indian Act. An amendment known as Schedule C was added in December 2023 to allow First Nations to join the agreement using their own ratification processes.
• September 2024: This agreement removes signatory communities from certain governance-related sections of the Indian Act. It is built on four pillars: leadership selection, citizenship, community operations, and the restoration of culture and language. Seven communities have ratified the agreement as of September 2024, with more expected to join the self-governance body B'Maakonigan.
• February 2025: Moose Deer Point First Nation became the first community to ratify this agreement in February 2020. The agreement facilitates the development of local laws and policies to ensure accountable and transparent government.
• March 2025: The agreement was signed on June 23, 2022, to allow member First Nations to move away from the authority of federal departments. The agreement enables participating communities to create their own laws regarding citizenship and governance.