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Governance Working Group Update Newsletter - Jan 2009

MEETING SUMMARY - APRIL 4, 2006

Constitution Development Committee Meeting Summary

 

Tuesday April 4, 2006

 

 Present:                                   

                   Robert Starr                      Patricia Desmoulin

Cindy Fisher                     Stanley Nabigon

Deanna Crosson                

JoAnne Michano

Tristan Vollett

Art Fisher

 Regrets:        Andrea Michano-Mitchell, Out of town

Work Completed To Date


Compilation of Research Material               

  -    completed a manual containing various materials related to Constitution Development

Establishment of Working Committee
  •  Council Appointees - Robert Starr, Arthur Fisher
  •  Management Appointees - JoAnne Michano, Cindy Fisher
  •  Staff Appointees - Deanna Crosson, Patricia Desmoulin
  •  Members - Stanley Nabigon, Andrea Michano-Mitchell, Tristan Vollett
Community Education
  • Community Newsletter
  • Community Bulletin Board
  • Community Website

Staff and Council Training

  •  Staff/Council Training Session
  •   UOI - Agreement in Principle Sessions - Governance & Education
Internal Organizational Development
  • Strategic Planning Sessions- department specific work plans
  • Policy Analyst Position Created   

 Committee Terms of Reference

  •     Reviewed & revised Terms of Reference developed by the Union of Ontario Indians
     

 

Assignment of Tasks - Establishment of a Portfolio System

Identification of Portfolios:

  •      each committee member will be responsible for one critical component of the Constitution
  •      new portfolios will be developed throughout development stage
 

 

Portfolio Holders:

Founding Principles & History               Cindy Fisher

Rights of Citizens                            JoAnne Michano

Jurisdiction                                   Robert Starr

Governance

Elected Officials                              Arthur Fisher

Membership                                  Deanna Crosson

Dispute Resolution                           JoAnne Michano

Community Consultation                      Committee Members

Responsibilities:

  •       gather material and systems that currently exist within the organization
  •        conduct research on other systems & best practices within other organizations
  •        prepare a brief overview of material to be presented at the initial community consultation process
  •        develop a process to obtain initial input from the membership during the initial stages of community consultation
  •       summarize findings and prepare a report outlining findings
  •    facilitate all community sessions dealing with portfolio topic
  •     develop drafts, facilitate review & approval processes

Other Issues Needed to be Addressed

  •        Accountability
  •       Amendment Clauses
  •       Supporting Legislation/Internal Regulations

-        Hunting, Fishing

-        Land Code

-        Adoption

-        Child Protection

-        Education

-        Financial Code

-        Program Specific Codes

-        Referendum Process

 

Tasks to Be Incorporated into the Work Plan

Establish Committee:

  •         composition
  •         terms of reference
  •         training
  •         identification of tasks & responsibilities

Staff & Council Training:

  •        provide initial outline
  •        incorporate into strategic planning
  •         AIP training  
  •        develop series throughout process

Community Consultation

  •         initial/general information
  •         topic specific consultation
  •         tool development
  •         review process
  •         utilize various methods

Research & Development

  •         research existing systems
  •         research other material
  •         develop summary of issue
  •         develop draft
  •         develop final copy
  •         for each identified component

Review Process

  •         establish community, staff and council  review processes
  •         legal reviews

Ratification & Approval

  •         establish community approval process
  •         community referendum

Communication Strategies

  •        develop communication strategies, utilizing a various of methods
  •     incorporate social activities into communication strategies
     

Implementation

  •         implementation strategies to be included in each stage

Quality Assurance

  •         what measures will be developed to ensure effective evaluation

 

Community Consultation Plans

Community input and participation into this project is very critical.  The Constitution needs to be developed for the citizens of our community, by the citizens.  You will be provided with every opportunity to become involved in this project.  As elected official, management and staff, our responsibility is to facilitate this process and to make sure our Constitution is truly for the people.  It is also our responsibility to ensure the effective implementation and adherence to the Constitution.  It is, however, your responsibility to voice your opinions and ideas and become involved.  The success of our community is in the hands of each and every one of us.  As a community, let=s develop our Constitution.  A Constitution that will govern our affairs.

 

Community Consultation Targeted Focus Groups:

  •         elderly population
  •    adult population
  •    school age children

 

Possible Methods of Consultation

  •         team up with existing groups to deliver programs
  •         AHot Topics@ Community television show
  •         interactive web site - questionnaires, quizzes, contests, pictures, message boards
  •         Comedy Adult Night
  •         Community Bulletin Boards
  •       Community Block Parties/Bar-b-ques
  •         High School Luncheons/ Sub Night for High School Students
  •         In classroom presentations
  •         incorporate social/recreational aspects
  •         survey/questionnaires
  •         Community Channel Messages
  •         set up incentive programs
  •         take & post pictures
  •         mail outs/newsletters
  •         poster campaigns
  •         contests ie. name
  •       Call in shows

 

COMING SOON......The launch of our community consultation process.

           ....aimed to enhance citizen participation and create a sense of ownership

 

 

Our 1st Constitution Development Community Meeting

Adult Social Night

 

Witness  the journey of Rosie, Josie & Posie, as they attend their first Constitution Development Community meeting.  The evening is sure to be filled with good information, supported by the entertainment of Rosie, Josie & Posie, and will give you an opportunity be give some input.

 

Join us for a fun night out and find out about your Constitution.  Dessert, tea and coffee will be served.

 


 

We are going to think of creative, fun ways to get your input.  We really hope this works, and we get strong community involvement in this project.

 

More information will follow.  Become Involved - Your voice is needed!

If anyone has any suggestions on how we can improve community involvement, please call the Band Manager or any Committee member.  Your input is very much appreciated.

 


 

A Brief Overview of the Anishinabek Nations  Governance in Principle Agreement

 

Pic Rivers Constitution Project is a part of the Anishinabek Nations Governance Project.  In order to participate in this process, all First Nations must have a constitution in place.  Here is a brief overview of the Anishinabek Nations Governance Project.  Please see the Anishinabek Nations web site for more details and updates, at www.anishinabek.ca

 

  •         Anishinabek Nation and Canada negotiations are focused on restoring the jurisdiction of the Anishinabek Nation   over governance matters
  •     it will empower the First Nations to create their own governance systems
  •     Prior to the establishment of Canada, the Anishinabek Nation maintained self-sufficient governments, supported by sustainable economies, distinctive languages and diverse cultures within a defined territory
  •      The Anishinabek Nation holds a strong  belief that we have never surrendered our inherent right to govern ourselves
  •       This inherent right to self-government exists independent of the self-government negotiations with Canada
  •        A Framework Agreement was signed on November 26, 1998
  •        The Governance AIP sets out what will be included in the Governance Final Agreement   it also provides a general idea on how the Anishinabek Nation will exercise jurisdiction over governance matters 
  •  The Framework Agreement identifies aspects of governance that will be negotiated in the Governance AIP/Final Agreement:

-        Membership

-        Selection of Leaders

-        The process for exercising law-making authority

-        Accountability of leaders to their members

-        Rights of appeal and redress

-        Structures and procedures

-        Legal status

-       Capacity of government

-        Fiscal relations between the Anishinabek Nations and Canada

  •  The Governance AIP as currently negotiated provides that Anishinabek jurisdictions over governance will be exercised by:

-        The establishment of two levels of government: The First Nations level and the Anishinabek Nation level

  •    The division of law-making powers between the two levels of government will be determined by the First  Nations 
  •         The First Nations and the Anishinabek Nation will develop constitutions which entrench:

-        the structures of government;

-        the protection of members= rights and freedoms;

-        the process for enacting and challenging laws;

-        means to ensure the accountability of leaders to the members;

-        a constitution amendment process; and other provisions as determined by the First Nations

  •         The First Nations will have jurisdiction to preserve, promote and develop the use of Anishinabek language and culture.
  •         The relationship between First Nations laws and those of Canada and Ontario will be set out in the Final Agreement
  •         The Final Agreement will set out the application and priority of the Canadian Human Rights Act
  •         The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms will apply to each participating First Nation Government, and to the Anishinabek Nation Government
  •        not limit or take away any Aboriginal or treaty rights of the First Nations and are not intended to be an interpretation of the inherent right of self-government.
  •       The fiduciary relationship between Canada and the First Nations will continue and any change to the fiduciary obligations of Canada must be agreed to by the First Nations