The four areas of Anishinabek Governance we will be discussing during this community knowledge dialogue are:
- Leadership Selection – Determining how we select our leadership
- Citizenship – Determining who our citizens are
- Culture & Language – Creating laws to preserve our Anishinabek way of life
- Management & Operation of Government – Determining how we will conduct our affairs, provide programs and services, and fund our operations. This includes how we allocate, spend our money, and are accountable to our citizens.
Why are we only focusing on these Four Areas of Governance?
Governance is so broad. There are far too many areas to cover at once. But we have to start somewhere. When we start with these Four Areas, we are taking a cautious and gradual approach to developing our own Anishinaabe Governance.
Leadership Selection – The most basic component of governance is leadership selection. So that is a good place to start. When we can create our own laws on leadership selection, we can slowly transition out of the Indian Act which has run our lives for 144 years.
Citizenship – The most fundamental area of governance is to determine Anishinabek citizenship. Under our Chi-Naaknigewin (Constitution) we refer to our citizens as E’Dbendaagzijig, or “those who belong”. It is important that we determine our own citizens for ourselves. Right now, the Indian Act defines “Status Indians” which is completely controlled by the federal government.
Language and Culture – The Indian Act is complete silent on language and culture. Yet, the protection of our ways of life, especially Anishinaabemowin (Anishinaabe language), Algonquin Anishinaabemowin and Lene Lenape is incredibly important to our elders, our language keepers and all our people. Enabling the protection, use and education of our language in our system of governance must continue to be a priority.
Operation & Management of Government – Another basic part of governance is to determine and define the function of government. These systems are really the foundation to delivering all necessary programs and services including health and well-being, housing, child care and looking after our Elders. The function of government can also provide us with tools to maintain accountability of how funds are spent and how decision are made.
What is the future of Anishinaabe Governance?
The promise, hope and future of Anishinaabe Governance is practically limitless. When we are able to hold our own elections, determine our own citizens, have a strong language and culture, and have a functioning government, we can do anything.
So what is next? That’s not for anyone else to decide except YOU, the Anishinabek Nation citizens.
At the same time, the Anishinabek Nation is also working on these areas of Governance:
- Education – Anishinabek Education System/Kinoomaadziwin Education Body operates our own Education system;
- Child Well-Being – Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law. This determine how we protect and take care of our children
- Health and Wellness – Anishinabek Nation Health Transformation. This process will determine how we provide health programs and services and ensure the well-being of our people.
Other areas of governance that we may explore in the future include:
- Justice – How we administer and enforce our laws
- Policing – How we protect and secure our citizens and their property
- Lands Management – How we manage our lands and interest on our territory
- Environment – How we protect Mother Earth, the lands and water and all of Creation
- Business & Economic Development – How we establish our own economy and wealth creation
- Housing – How we build and allocate safe, adequate and affordable housing
- Intergovernmental Affairs – How we interact with other governments