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News Room

August, 2007

MOU Signed Between Shingwauk Kinoomage Gamik and NCFNG

Left to Right:Jerry Fontaine; Shingwauk, Chief Lyle Sayers; Garden River First Nation, Edward Benton-Benai; Grand Chief of Three Fires Midewiwin Grand Council Lodge and Satsan (Herb George) NCFNG President

A new venture is underway that will help promote cooperation and the advancement of academic and educational exchange.

On August 23rd 2007, the National Centre for First Nations Governance and Shingwauk Kinoomage Gamik (Garden River First Nation, Ontario) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). An MOU expresses the intent of both parties to work together towards a common goal; in this case – the promotion and advancement of academic and educational exchange. It also outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party as they relate to the principles contained within the agreement.

The signing ceremony took place in the sacred Midewiwin Lodge of the Three Fires Confederacy ‘Re-Kindling the Flame’ Gathering, which was hosted in Garden River First Nation August 20th to 24th.  The signing was officially witnessed by Three Fires Midewiwin Grand Council Lodge Chief, Edward Benton-Benai.

Edward Benton-Benai, Grand Chief of Three Fires Midewiwin Grand Council Lodge, witnesses MOU between the NCFNG and Shingwauk Kinoomeg Gamik

The MOU signifies a cooperation to pursue such activities as: academic visits, joint teaching programs, joint research initiatives and publications, participation in seminars and academic meetings, exchange of academic materials and other information, archiving and storage of academic materials and information and exchange of graduate and/or undergraduate students. Such sharing of information and resources will allow the Centre to further provide First Nation communities with comprehensive knowledge and education as they relates to self-governance.

Such a remarkable collaboration not only between the two organizations, but within the NCFNG’S Governance Advisory Services directorate and the Ontario Regional Office, exemplifies the Centre’s ongoing commitment to support First Nations by providing relevant and innovative knowledge and development of governance services, products and events.

The National Centre for First Nations Governance is honored to be part of this exciting and valuable endeavor.  The Centre looks forward to building many more collaborative relationships with First Nations across Canada.

View the MOU [PDF, 34 kb]