Backgrounder
Ontario First Nations Governance Pilot Projects

The Honourable Robert D. Nault, Minister for Indian Affairs and Northern Development, today announced $5 million nationally in funding for First Nations Governance Projects .

In Ontario, INAC has invested in 12 projects with First Nations:

Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resources Council (AKRC)

Located in Sioux Narrows, Ontario, the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resources Council has received $76,725 to develop conflict of interest guidelines and a process for community redress.

For more information, please contact:

• Anita Copenance, Executive Director
  (807) 226-4445

Shoal Lake #40 First Nation

The Shoal Lake First Nation, located near Kejick, Ontario, has received $49,999 to develop a portfolio system, identify roles and responsibilities of both Chief and Council and the band administration, as well as the coordination of these functions within the First Nation.

For more information, please contact:

• Erwin Redsky, Chief
  (807) 733-2315

Northwest Angle #37 First Nation

This First Nation is a community of two distinct geographical divisions. Two thirds of the community is located on the eastern shores of Lake of the Woods. The remaining one third is located approximately 160 kilometres across the lake on the western shores. This community has received $50,000 to develop a Financial Administration Code that will be designed to take into consideration the realities of both sides of the lake.

For more information, please contact:

• Lorraine Major, Chief
  (807) 226-5353

Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation

Located near Kenora, Ontario, the First Nation will invest $48,325 to revise and document a custom leadership code that will be ratified by the First Nation's membership.

For more information, please contact:

• Rose Green, Band Manager
  (807) 548-5663

Anishnaabeg of Naongashing First Nation

Located in Morson, Ontario, the Anishnaabeg of Naongashing First Nation has received $35,000 to develop an administration code that will include the roles and responsibilities of Chief and Council, a conflict of interest code, reporting standards, the frequency of community meetings, and an amending and appeal process.

For more information, please contact:

• Val Pizey, Band Manager
  (807) 488-5602

Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation

Located at Massey, Ontario, the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation has received $41,700 to develop an election law that will guide the community's future elections.

For more information, please contact:

• Brenda Rivers, Band Manager
  (705) 826-2421

Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reservation

Located at Wikwemikong, Ontario, this community has received $50,000 to develop a community enforcement model that will allow the First Nation to exercise its own jurisdiction in an enforceable manner.

For more information, please contact:

• Nikki Manitowabi, CEO
  (705) 859-3122

Mushkegowuk Tribal Council

The Mushkegowuk Tribal Council represents an aggregation of five isolated Cree First Nations situated along the James Bay Coast and within the coastal plain. The Tribal Council has received $112,000 to examine redress mechanisms on matters pertaining to local and regional government in the Mushkegowuk area.

For more information, please contact:

• Norm Wesley, Analyst
  705) 658-4222

Fort Albany First Nation

The Fort Albany First Nation is an isolated community located near James Bay. It has a significant off-reserve population. This community will receive $42,800 to establish an administration code and appeal process that will set out the relationships among the Executive, the staff, and the members of the Fort Albany First Nation.

For more information, please contact:

• Chris Matetawabin, Director of Finance
  (705) 278-1044

Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation

Located near Sarnia, Ontario, the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation has been approved for two projects totalling $39,182 to work on a community based election code and ratification process for approximately 2500 members, of whom over half live off-reserve and many of these in the United States.

For more information, please contact:

• Lorraine George, Band Manager
  (519) 786-2125

Southern First Nations Secretariat

The Southern First Nations Secretariat represents seven First Nations (Aamjinaang, Caldwell, Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point, Chippewas of the Thames, Moravain of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware, and Oneida First Nations). The Secretariat has received $112,000 to increase the communities' capacity for self-governance through the development of a Human Resources Management Code.

For more information, please contact:

• Ray Martin, Executive Director
  (519) 692-5868

For more information on First Nations Governance Projects in Ontario, please contact:

Brock Worobel
Communications Officer
Ontario Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(416) 973-2158

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