First Nation Constitution Building: Chi-Naaknigewin 

Big Ideas:

• Two key elements of nationhood is the ability to self-govern and self-determine what is best for the nation.
• As the British colonies formed into what is now known as Canada, they created laws to prevent the original nations here from exercising their inherent rights to self-govern and self-determine.  This legislation later became the Indian Act and is still in existence today.
• The Anishinaabeg nation (as well as the other original nations that pre-exist Canada) differs from Canada in that they have inherent rights due to the fact that they are the original people of this land.  These rights can not be extinguished and supersede colonial laws (e.g., Canadian law).
• Despite centuries of attempted genocide and assimlation by Canada, the Anishinabek nation has been working to assert their nationhood and reclaim jurisdiction over their lands.
• There are many ways the Anishinabeg are exercising their laws.  One way is through the creation of their own constitution based on Chi-Naaknigewin

Let’s Explore:

1. Watch the following video –  First Nation Constitution Building:

Click here to download a fillable PDF
with these discussion questions.

Discussion Questions: Either in small groups or as a class engage in a discussion using these inquiry questions:

What is the purpose of the Anishinabek constitution?

How does the Indian Act prevent First Nations from exercising their inherent rights to self-government?

If Indigenous nations such as the Anishinabek Nation have their own laws and governing systems (e.g., policing, justice) why does Canada not follow or adhere to those laws?

Self-determining nations such as the Anishinabek nation are forced to resolve legal challenges through the Canadian justice system.  How is this a continuation of colonialism?  How might this create biased outcomes in favour of Canada?

Everyday Canada breaks its own laws with respect to treaty agreements.  How might this be changed so that Canada not only upholds its own laws but also adheres to the Anishinabek laws with respect to jurisdiction of Anishinabek lands?

Chi-Naaknigewin is a reminder of the roles and responsibilities everyone has to ensure a good life for not just the people but for all of creation.  This is to also ensure that future generations also will experience a good life.  How can all peoples, not just the Anishinabek, benefit from following Chi-Naaknigewin?

Activity: Create a Declaration of Responsibilities

1. Watch (innaknegewin videos)
2. Review Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe
3. Working in small groups brainstorm a list of roles and responsibilities for individuals and for the collective group to follow for your class.
4. Share your ideas with the whole group to finalize your classroom declaration

Consider:

How might you incorporate key principles outlined in the Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe as well as Chi-Naaknigewin?

How will you hold each other accountable?

How are rights different from roles and responsibilities?

Note to teachers:

The Anishinabek Nation, as expressed in the video above, is in reference to the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI), the political secretariat for the Anishinabek Nation . The UOI does not represent all citizens of the Anishinabeg nation.  There are many other communities and people who are also Anishinabeg but are not part of this particular political organization.  This is also the same for the political organization Chiefs of Ontario.  It is important to recognize that all Anishinabeg have inherent roles and responsibilities that they are entitled to exercise in their territories.

Mary Laronde, Temagami First Nation, speaks to Anishinaabe Governance:

The following slide deck is available for teachers to use:

Click here to download this slide deck.