ANISHINABEK NATION GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT
Plain Language Version [1]
The Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement (referred to in the rest of this document as the “Agreement”) is a proposed self-government agreement between Canada, the Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians), and the First Nations that approve the Agreement by vote. It includes Canada recognizing First Nation jurisdiction over leadership selection (elections), citizenship (E’Dbendaagzijig), language and culture, and First Nation management and operations. It also includes recognizing constitutions in regards to these areas and the Anishinabek Nation Government.
Canada is represented by the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Development.
This document describes the Agreement in plain language.
PREAMBLE
The Preamble contains statements by each Party concerning their intent in negotiating the Agreement. The Preamble in the Agreement consists of the Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe (One Anishinaabe Family) statement and eleven (11) other statements that describe the background for negotiating the Agreement.
The Preamble is not legally enforceable. Everything that is included after the Preamble is legally enforceable for the First Nations who approve it and for Canada, once federal legislation is passed to approve it.
CHAPTER 1 – DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
The Definitions are legal terms for this Agreement only. These have been negotiated and agreed to by the Parties. They appear in capital letters throughout the Agreement.
This Interpretation section provides guidance to the reader on how to read and interpret the Agreement.
[1] DISCLAIMER: This summary of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement is provided by the Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians) to support the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement ratification process. This is an interpretative tool and does not form part of the legal arrangements proposed between the Anishinabek First Nations and Canada. This is not a legal document and does not serve as a legal interpretation of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement. If you have specific questions or wish to receive a copy of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, please contact the Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians) by calling Toll-Free at 1-833-297-9850.
the complete Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement in plain language can be viewed HERE.