History

Supporting Capacity Development Chronology

 

1980

• The Anishinabek Nation Declaration is proclaimed. It states: “We are Nations. We have always been as Nations. We have inherent rights that have never been given up. We have the right to our own forms of government. We have the right to self-determination.”

1995

• Anishinabek Chiefs-in-Assembly direct the Restoration of Jurisdiction (ROJ) to carry out negotiations with Canada to restore jurisdiction with the initial focus on governance and education.

1997

• Board of the Union of Ontario Indians creates the Strategic Plan for Political Action “Wedokdodwin” (Unity – Helping One Another).

1998

• Framework Agreement on Governance signed November 26, 1998. Negotiations begin with Canada on an Agreement-in-Principle. This document will guide the negotiations of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement.

1999

• Community Consultations on Self-Governance (Governance and Education) are formalized, Community facilitators share information and get input from
• Anishinaabe Anokiiwin Aanokiitoojig (Chiefs Committee on Governance) established to guide the negotiations.

2001

• Constitution Development Project established. Leadership and citizen consultations take place to develop individual First Nation Constitutions and the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin (Anishinabek Nation Constitution).

2002

• Niigan ga-zhaamin. ROJ Elder and Youth Conference identifies rebuilding relationships, education and language and culture as primary issues.

2003

• Series of Constitution development workshops begin. The Nation-based model and Traditional model were found to be preferred governance structures.
• A Capacity Development Workshop on “Roles and Responsibilities at the First Nation” focuses on the Clan System (Traditional) and how it can be used to identify roles within the government system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Clan System

 

 

 

 

2005

• Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Resolution 2005/09 directs the Union of Ontario Indians to institute a Comprehensive Self-Goverment Negotiations process under a revised negotiations Canada rejects the plan, however, this mandate leads to the identification of key priorities and recommendations for a moving forward strategy.

2006

• Anishinaabemowin adopted as the official Language of the Anishinabek Nation.
• Nelson Toulouse appointed the Language Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation by the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly.
• Rising up ceremony is used to change the Union of Ontario Indians Board of Directors into the Leadership Council of the Anishinabek.

 

 

 

Nelson Toulouse

 

 

 

2007

• Governance Agreement-in-Principle signed by the Anishinabek Nation and Canada.
• Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly authorize a draft Citizenship law (E’Dbendaagzijig Naaknigwewin) be developed for Anishinabek First Nations to use when determining their own citizens.
• Anishinabek Nation Matrimonial Real Property Law principles, established to govern and protect interest of spouses and families upon the dissolution of marriage, are passed.
• Jeanette Corbiere-Lavell, of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, is appointed the Anishinabek Nation Citizenship.

 

 

 

Jeanette Corbiere-Lavell

 

 

 

 

2008

• Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly approve Appeals and Redress policy to help Anishinabek First Nations to resolve disputes within their communities and territories.

2009

• Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly direct the development and implementation of a plan to support the First Nations to finalize and ratify their constitutions.
• Anishinabek Nation E’Dbendaagzijig Naaknigewin (Citizenship Law) is approved.

2010

• Draft Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin is approved. Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly request further consultations with citizens.
• Governance Working Group established to help provide First Nation grassroots input into the Governance Agreement negotiations.

2011

• The Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe (One Anishinaabe Family) is accepted. It has since been included as the preamble to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement.

2012

• Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin is adopted and proclaimed in ceremony by the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly.
• Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly commit to a workplan to finalize and to ratify their own First Nation constitutions.

2016

• Anishinabek Nations Citizens vote to ratify the  Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement with Canada.

2017

• The Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement becomes federal law.

2019

• Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare and Canada’s Indigenous-Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett initial final draft of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement signaling the official end of the negotiations and start of the citizen engagement process.

 

 

Grand Council Chief Glen Hare and
Crown Indigenious-Relations Canada Minister Hon. Carolyn Bennett
initialling ceremony held in Toronto, August 23, 2019.

 

 

 

February 1 – 29, 2020

• First Vote period for the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement.
  

April 6, 2022

• Five Anishinabek First Nations (Magnetawan FN, Moose Deer Point FN, Nipissing FN, Wahnapitae FN, Zhiibaahaasing FN) made history with the virtual signing of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement.

June 6, 2022

• Anishinabek Nation communities celebrate the inaugural Anishinaabe Giizhigad (Anishinaabe Day)

June 23, 2022

• The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Act, a self-government agreement between Canada and the Anishinabek Nation and five First Nations that ratified the Agreement receives Royal Assent in the House of Commons.