Education and Governance Working Groups in Support of the Self-Government Negotiations

In support of the Anishinabek Nation’s Self-Government Negotiation Tables for the Governance and Education Agreements, two working groups have been established. Both the Education and Governance Working Groups are made up of First Nation members with specific knowledge and expertise within their communities. The mandate for each group comes from those Anishinabek First Nations that submitted Band Council Resolutions (BCRs) to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, in support of the Agreement-In-Principle (AIP) and to pursue a Final Agreement for each negotiation.

The goal of these representatives is to provide direct grassroots input into both self-government negotiation tables, and to be “champions” of the self-government agreements within their First Nation communities.

To help determine the scope and intent for each working group a Terms of Reference was established by each negotiation table. The terms of reference also serves to determine the relationship between the main tables, working groups, Anishinabek leadership and those First Nations that they represent.

Education Working Group:

The Education Working Group (EWG) is made up of education administers, teachers, and leaders from those First Nation communities that submitted Band Council Resolutions (BCRs) in support to the Education Agreement-in-Principle (AIP), and to pursue an Education Final Agreement with Canada.

The main goal of this working group was to develop the key elements for the Anishinabek Education System, which includes the governing structures, functions, authorities, human resources, education standards and programs and services. Also key to the development of the AES was to determine the required levels of funding to operate the system.

The Anishinabek Education System has been developed (refer to attached AES link) along with the operational funding requirements, which are currently still being negotiated. The Education Final Agreement negotiations are scheduled to be completed by the Fall of 2010.    

The next objective of the Education main table and the Education Working Group is to establish the new relationship between the Anishinabek Education System and Ontario’s education system. The new arrangement will determine how the education systems will work together is scheduled to be completed by the Fall of 2010. The EWG will also assist in the communication activities within First Nation communities in support of the ratification of the Education Final Agreement.

For further information on the developments of the EWG please refer to the attached links to the EWG annual reports.

Governance Working Group:

The Governance Working Group (GWG) is made up First Nation members with a background in governance and/or administration at the First Nation level. The mandate of the GWG has been established by First Nations that submitted Band Council Resolutions (BCRs) in support of Governance Agreement-in-principle (AIP) and to pursue a Final Agreement on Governance.

The primary goal of the GWG as outlined in their Terms of Reference is as follows;

1)      to support Participating First Nations (PFNs) and their members to prepare for governance under the new agreement;

2)      to assist in raising the awareness and understanding of the Anishinabek Nation Final Agreement on Governance;

3)      to support the development of agreement “champions” in each PFN.

4)      to develop options and priorities for governance structures, functions, processes, institutions, and operating costs at both the Participation First Nation Government level and the Anishinabek Nation Government level for consideration.

The GWG have had extensive input to the development of the draft Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin/Anishinabek Nation Constitution for consideration.

The nation level constitution is key in the development of the Anishinabek Nation Government (ANG), whereas it will define the structure, functions, and processes to the new government. The constitution will also provide the nature and extent of the ANG, and will define the relationships between First Nation governments and the nation level one. The constitution will provide the ANG to exert jurisdiction, and provide mechanisms in the creation or development of laws

The GWG co-facilitated a consultation session with Anishinabek leaders and citizens on the articles to the draft constitution. The Anishinabek Nation Constitutional Convention held in March 2010, provided delegates from the various Anishinabek First Nation communities to provide input through a convention style format, and to establish a draft. The three-day event was a historical landmark for the Anishinabek.

The GWG will now proceed with bringing the draft Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin/Anishinabek Nation Constitution out to Anishinabek citizens for feedback. The consultation sessions will start in September 2010 and last until February 2011, where the GWG and the Governance main table will then present the final draft in order for it to be ratified.

Shawana, Dave Education Working Group Coordinator Tel: 705-497-9125 Fax: 705-497-9135