News Room
March, 2010
Heiltsuk Nation Examines the Crown’s Duty to Consult and Accommodate
Recognizing that their rights and title to their traditional territory have never been extinguished, the Heiltsuk Nation continually honors their special relationship to the land by fishing, hunting and practicing cultural activities on the land. The majority of Heiltsuk citizens reside in Bella Bella, a remote community, accessible only by boat and air, located in the Central Coast of British Columbia along the famed Inside Passage. Their total membership is approximately 2200. In September 2009, the Heiltsuk Tribal Council came together to discuss specific questions surrounding the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate their interests. Read More…
February, 2010
Chippewas of the Thames Leadership Plan to Bring Cultural Values into their Work
Recently elected leadership of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation convened to engage in dialogue and set some objectives for their elected term. They are situated in Southern Ontario and have a population of 2400 with 800 members currently living in the community. The NCFNG was invited to deliver a two–day workshop for leadership focusing on Strategic Planning, Governance Principles and Community Engagement. Workshop presentations reiterated the importance of effectively obtaining input from citizens and how to establish good governing structures. Read More…
February, 2010
Treaty 8 First Nations Explore Constitution Development
In December 2009, over 24 representatives from Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta came together to explore the concept and process of constitution building. Read More…
November, 2009
Stories of Excellence Among Atlantic First Nations: The Circle of Governance Excellence initiative recognizes Nations, shares their story.
One of the strengths of the National Centre for First Nations Governance is its capacity to share stories about First Nations that are practicing effective governance. Many First Nation communities ask for examples of strong governance and the Centre is answering with the launch of the Circle of Governance Excellence initiative. The Mi’kmaq of Miawpukek is the first community in Atlantic Canada join the Circle of Governance Excellence and partner with the Centre. Read More…
October, 2009
It Takes a Village to Raise a Child: NCFNG talks about community engagement at Anishnawbek child welfare conference
It has often been said that “It takes a village to raise a child” and for First Nations families, raising a child was traditionally a collective effort. Today, there is an urgent need for First Nations communities to re-engage in the care of children. Community engagement in child welfare was the theme of a presentation given by the National Centre for First Nations Governance (NCFNG). The presentation was provided to child welfare workers and care givers at A Gathering of Nations: Strengthening our Circle of Care, an Anishnawbek child welfare conference held for Ontario participants in Sault St Marie, Michigan from October, 6 to 8, 2009. Read More…
October, 2009
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation – Focus on People and Governance
“Governance begins with the people and if we can engage as many people as possible in the process we continue to create a stronger and more vibrant government for our community “said Chief Clifford Tawpisin who began the year as the new chief of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation (MLCN). He decided to renew the council’s focus on the members and governance. Read More…
July 21, 2009
Certification of First Nation Band Administrators aims at Developing More Effective Management
The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada and the National Centre for First Nations Governance signed a Memorandum of Understanding today in which both organizations agree to seek ways to work collaboratively to develop a national certification for Aboriginal Administrators and Managers. Read More…
July 21, 2009
Creating a community-based constitution in the Mi’kmaq community of Miawpukek
NCFNG was approached in 2008 to help the community create the Miawpukek Constitution, and over the past year we facilitated several working sessions with the Miawpukek Constitution Committee under the NCFNG Constitution Development Program. Read More...
July, 2009
Combining the best of the traditional and the new: Drafting legislation for the Tsawwassen First Nation
In the six months leading up to the effective date of their treaty (April 3, 2009), the TFN was required to draft and enact 21 core laws – a project of enormous scope and magnitude. The TFN rose to the challenge with an innovative plan called the TFN Legislation Project, which had the guiding objective of creating a regime of laws with sufficient scope to authorize all TFN government actions. NCFNG assisted the TFN by undertaking policy analysis and drafting framework legislation. Read More…
May 29, 2009
Kiashke Zaaging Anishinabek – Update on Efforts to Implement Traditional Governance
Kiaske Zaaging Anishinabek (Gull Bay First Nation) is one of the many First Nations that are taking the lead on exercising their right to self-government. The Kiaske Zaaging Anishinabek is an Ojibway First Nation, part of the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850. This community is located approximately 175 km’s north of Thunder Bay, Ontario on the south shore of Lake Nipigon. Read More…
May, 2009
Four Shuswap Communities Explore Ways to Build Governance Together
The four Shuswap communities that make up the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NSTC), are seeking ways to work together to implement their right to self-governance. They are located in the interior of British Columbia. Read More…
May, 2009
First Nations aim at developing governance that is more meaningful than the Indian Act
Recent decisions in Canadian courts regarding membership, elections and property rights on First Nation lands are changing the social fabric of First Nation communities. Nations across the country are responding to these changes by developing their own rules around citizenship, elections and land – and doing so in very short periods. Read More…
April, 2009
NCFNG Commends Tsawwassen First Nation in Realizing Self-Government
NCFNG salutes the achievement of Tsawwassen First Nation (“TFN”) as they celebrated the first official day of self-government on the Effective Date of their Treaty, April 3rd, 2009. TFN is located approximately 25 kms outside of Vancouver, BC. Read More…
March 24, 2009
A New Toolkit for Rebuilding First Nations
The Centre is pleased to announce the unveiling of its Governance Toolkit. The toolkit is a resource for First Nations leaders that are pursuing greater autonomy in decision-making and want something more meaningful than the Indian Act as the foundation for their governing institutions. Read More…
March 11, 2009
Aboriginal Inherent Rights/Youth Forum
The Ontario Regional Inherent Right Strategy Forum was very well received. In addition to highlighting the National Centre for First Nation Governance (NCFNG), it brought Ontario First Nations leaders, Emerging Leaders, Deputy Grand Chiefs, and Elders together to talk in a candid, non-political forum - the issue of implementing the Inherent Right Strategy in the Treaty context. Read more...
March, 2009
Thompson Rivers University and the NCFNG work together to improve the governance skills of First Nations citizens
Thompson Rivers University and the National Centre for First Nations Governance (NCFNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 6th, 2009 that establishes a framework for both organizations to work together to research, develop, and deliver appropriate programs and courses to enhance the governance and administrative skills of First Nations people. Read More…
February, 2009
Custom Election Code Workshop - Alderville First Nation
Alderville First Nation hosted a two-day Custom Election Codes Workshop delivered by the National Centre for First Nations Governance. Alderville First Nation, is located in South-Central Ontario. Workshop participants included staff employed in nearby First Nations. Read more...
February 25, 2009
Elders and knowledge-keepers from across Canada assemble to discuss the role of traditional governance in today’s First Nations
On February 26th and 27th, the Centre, along with the University of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Governance Program, hosted a Sacred Sharing Circle on Traditional Governance. Over 50 Elders and knowledge keepers gathered at the University of Winnipeg to share their thoughts on the meaning of traditional governance and its role in First Nations today. Read More…
July, 2008
NCFNG Delivers its first Culture in Action Youth Exchange
For three weeks in July, 26 young people from the Squamish, Nisga’a and Ktunaxa Nations participated in the first NCFNG Culture in Action Youth Exchange. Read more...
July, 2008
Defining the Landscape: Centre releases research papers
First Nations are clearly entitled to define their own approach to governance and to exercise the rights that come with title to their traditional lands. These are the conclusions from a large body of research recently released by the Centre. Completed in 2007-2008, the research is the work of 28 leading scholars, legal researchers, academics and community practitioners. Read More…
July, 2008
Prairie Region Think Tank
On July 3 and 4th, 2008, the NCFNG – Prairie Region hosted the Regional Think Tank: “To support First Nations as they work toward the Implementation of Inherent Right to Self Government”. Read more...
June, 2008
Eskasoni’s High School Students Take Part in Governance Discussions
The youth of the Eskasoni First Nation on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia want more say in the issues that will shape their future. On May 29, 2008, the Eskasoni Governance Team invited the Centre to facilitate a community forum and deliver a presentation to Eskasoni youth. Read More…
June, 2008
Advancing Professional Certification
Certification of First Nation administrators may be the most efficient way to direct post-secondary programs to teach the skills required to move from the Indian Act to inherent right-based self-governance. On April 9th NCFNG-BC Region co-hosted a one-day forum with AFOA-BC Chapter to engage BC First Nation administrators in a discussion about the need for an association of Band Administrators and professional certification. Read More…
June, 2008
BC and Yukon treaty nations gather to discuss implementation
The Maa-nulth First Nations and the NCFNG hosted the Learning From Experience: In Pursuit of Effective Implementation Forum held at the Hupacasath House of Gathering on April 9 and 10. Read More…
May 8, 2008
Centre Signs Agreement with University of Alberta
Edmonton - The National Centre for First Nations Governance is pleased to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the University of Alberta. The signing on May 8, 2008, is in support of Aboriginal Governance and Partnership program offered by the University of Alberta's Faculty of Native Studies. The program will focus on governance for Aboriginal communities. Read More…
February 14, 2008
Centre Announces Good Governance Awards Program
The NCFNG, in partnership with the Banff Centre, the Canadian Executive Service Organization, the Aboriginal Leadership Institute, the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association and the Institute on Governance created the Good Governance Awards Program to celebrate and honor First Nations organizations and communities that demonstrate good governance practices, innovations and cultural relevancy. Read More…
January, 2008
NCFNG and University of Victoria announce first courses toward Certificate in First Nations Governance, Administration, and Management
First two courses announced, part of a pilot project for developing a credit Certificate in First Nations Governance, Administration, and Management. Read More…
January, 2008
The Algonquin Nation Moving Forward with Asserting Their Rights
The Algonquins of Quebec assert that they never gave up their rights through a treaty or sold or lost their territory through war. Read More…
January 14, 2008
Saskatchewan First Nations welcome the NCFNG
The National Centre for First Nations Governance (NCFNG) officially opened our Prairie Region office with inviting members of the First Nations communities, governments, businesses and education institutions to an open house. Read More and view photos…
