Nokiiwin Tribal Council

Nokiiwin Tribal Council (from Ojibwe anokiiwin, "work, employment") is a non-profit Regional Chiefs' Council located in the Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada, serving five First Nations by providing advisory services and training which will enhance the overall management skills and opportunities of the area's First Nations.

Thunder Bay connections: Lake Nipigon; Fort William First Nation.

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In Anishinabek News

• December 2013: The council organized a youth entrepreneur project involving students from four member communities in late 2013. The organization hosted the Giniijaansinaanig Obawaajigewinen youth entrepreneur lunch sales event during a regional summit. The council presented awards to eight students for their business achievements following a successful sales event.
• February 2015: The council hosted the Investment Readiness Training: Treaty Issues conference in Thunder Bay on February 10-11, 2015. The event focused on educating leadership about impact benefit agreements, consultation, and the legal definition of infringement on Aboriginal title.
• July 2015: The council hosted the G’min-oo-maa-doz-imin We Are Living Well workshop on July 15, 2015, in Thunder Bay. The organization represents six communities, including Fort William First Nation, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, and Pic Mobert. As of July 2015, the council has provided safety training for two years to students hired by member First Nations during the summer.
• January 2017: The council organized the G'minoomaadozimin health and safety gathering in Thunder Bay on January 12, 2017. It serves Fort William First Nation, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Pic Mobert First Nation, and three other communities located near Lake Nipigon. The organization aims to create a First Nation-centric health and safety culture through its initiatives.
• March 2017: The council hosted the Access to Justice Forum 2017 in Thunder Bay on February 22-23, 2017. The organization serves communities including Fort William First Nation, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, and Pic Mobert.
• April 2017: The council hosted a workshop on March 20-21, 2017, in Thunder Bay to focus on the benefits and challenges of comprehensive community planning. Comprehensive community planning has been a priority for all six member communities of the council since 2012. The organization aims to help communities utilize resources to better serve their needs and generate revenue for future goals.
• April 2018: The council hosted a health, safety, and wellness conference in Thunder Bay in April 2018. The organization is working on implementing restorative justice circles to divert criminal charges away from the court system. Member communities of the council include Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Pic Mobert, and Fort William.
• October 2019: The council was one of 12 tribal councils that registered delegates for the Northern Ontario First Nations Environment Conference in 2019.
• February 2020: The council organized the Giiniwenama Elders Gathering in January 2020 to discuss traditional roles and child welfare. The organization plans to produce a mini-documentary based on video interviews recorded during the event to share with its member communities.
• February 2020: The council is involved in the organizing committee for the First Nations Housing Conference. Member communities include Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Fort William First Nation, and Pic Mobert.
• April 2020: The council released 13 videos and activity sheets for public use during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. The educational materials were originally developed in 2018 and 2019 to provide local Indigenous content to schools. The council adapted the existing school curriculum for the project so that parents could use the materials at home.
• April 2021: The council is collaborating on a project to explore how post-secondary institutions can recognize Indigenous community-based knowledge during credit and degree-granting processes.
• April 2021: Catherine Banning was formerly employed by this council.
• February 2022: The council is partnering with Lakehead University to research how a mobile app can support the mental health of Indigenous people in the workplace. It hosts an app coordinator who manages content, cultural information, and event listings for the Wiiji platform. Member communities including Fort William First Nation and Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek participated in sharing circles to provide feedback for the app's development.
• February 2022: The council held a virtual wellness event from January 31 to February 4, 2022. The organization places a significant emphasis on personal and workplace wellness.
• August 2022: The council hosted the fifth annual Unity Gathering from August 15-19, 2022. Executive director Audrey Gilbeau stated the council aims to develop a collective call to action to support individuals and families affected by substance abuse.
• September 2022: The council held a day camp in July 2022 that preceded the local youth wellness initiatives in Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek.
• June 2023: The council provides support for the development of the online language learning game Biskaabiiyaang.
• February 2024: The council organized the Healing Through Hip Hop workshop held in February 2024.
• September 2025: The council received incident reports regarding a water spill from Environment and Climate Change Canada and shared them with Fort William First Nation. The organisation provides resources and supports to its member communities.
• June 2026: The council gifted tobacco to be planted in the Indigenous Community Medicine Garden during its 2026 opening.
• August 2026: The council organized the Annual Unity Gathering on August 12-13, 2026, to share knowledge and strengthen community spirits. The organization employs several Elders year-round to provide drumming, language, and cultural teachings. The council collaborated with partners like Roots Community Food Centre and Science North for the 2026 event.
• September 2026: The council co-hosted a Climate Change Awareness Gathering on August 24 at Chippewa Park to engage with community members about environmental changes. Environmental technicians from the organization are developing a native plant library to help youth and community members identify local medicinal and culturally significant flora. The organization utilizes an underwater drone and stream sampling of aquatic insects to monitor the health of water bodies within its member communities.