Anishinaabe Governance is… a functional and accountable government.
The State of our Government, Currently
The function of government in First Nations, like many other things, is determined and defined by the Indian Act. From the establishment of Chiefs and Councils, to elections, Indian Status, Indian Reserves and Lands Management, all of that is administered under the authority of the Minister in Ottawa.
Through a system of agreements, reporting and regulatory authorities, First Nations provide a limited scope of programs and services to their Band membership. Chief and Council are accountable only to the Minister.
This leaves Anishinabek citizens without measures to ensure their continued involvement in governance. For example: there are no provisions under the Indian Act for First Nations to present and approve budgets. Nor are there any measures to ensure accountability and transparency on how those funds are spent.
On the other hand, the federal government requires many reports including audit financial statements to be provided to the Minister every year.
There are no set standards or specific policies in place on how we conduct our decision-making or provide programs and services to our citizens. There are no provisions for citizens to request access to public information, nor are there any provisions to protect the privacy of our citizens.
The Promise, Hope and Future of an Anishinabek Government
When we refer to an Anishinabek Government, it doesn’t mean the Union of Ontario Indians. Nor does it mean an Indigenous organization running the affairs of your First Nation from afar. Anishinaabe Governance refers to a future Anishinabek Nation Government, and your local First Nations Government including the operations of your Chief and Council.
Specifically, the function of government refers to the management and operations of its government including financial management. Anishinaabe Governance is improving accountability and financial transparency of our governments. For example: we can consider a standard, annual process to approving First Nations budgets. This begins with a presentation of a public budget, allowing citizens to provide comments, and witness the process of seeing our Chief and Council approve that budget at a Council meeting.
Anishinaabe Governance is also providing accountability through access to information and privacy. This will allow First Nations the opportunity to develop “Access to Information” laws and privacy laws for the benefit of their citizens.
The possibilities in this regard is infinite. First Nations can create laws respecting any manner of governmental function and responsibility.
Anishinaabe Governance is… Based on the Needs and Future of Our Citizens.