Publications
Recommended reading for people interested in First Nations governance.
Centre Quarterly: Spring 2010 [PDF, 152 kb]
Le Trimestriel du Centre Quarterly: Printemps 2010 [PDF, 124 kb]
2008/2009 Annual Report [PDF, 2.26 mb]
Annuel Report 2008/2009 [PDF, 2.27 mb]
Memorandum: A Summary of the McIvor Decisions [PDF, 326 kb]
A review of the following series of cases: McIvor v. Canada (the Registrar, Indian and Northern Affairs), 2007 BCSC 26 (the “Statutory Appeal”); McIvor v. Canada (the Registrar, Indian and Northern Affairs), 2007 BCSC 827 (the “Constitutional Case”); McIvor v. Canada (the Registrar, Indian and Northern Affairs), 2007 BCSC 1732 (the “Trial Order”); and McIvor v. Canada (Registrar of Indian and Northern Affairs) 2009 BCCA 153 (the “Appeal”) (collectively, the “McIvor Decisions”).
The McIvor Decisions concern whether or not the registration provisions of section 6 of the current Indian Act discriminate against women. Before 1985, an Indian woman would lose her status if she married a non-Indian man, however, an Indian man would not lose his status if he married a non-Indian woman. Following political and legal pressure, the Indian Act sections relating to registration were amended in 1985, these amendments were known as “Bill C-31”.
June 14, 2009
Governance Best Practices Report [PDF, 1.4 mb]
The Governance Best Practices Report profiles best practices in each of the Governance Centre’s seventeen principles of effective governance. The practices are drawn from the experience of First Nations, tribes and aboriginal organizations across Canada and in the United States. Each report profiles actual practices being followed.
These reports provide a brief snapshot of strategies, techniques, procedures or processes that produce efficiencies in governance. They are intended to make concrete the universal principles of effective governance by profiling their implementation in specific First Nations contexts. While the reports are intended to serve as models, each community will determine for itself how the principles are brought to life in their specific contexts.
The purpose of these reports is to educate First Nations and identify ways to connect with others to improve their understanding on these matters. We encourage their widespread use and give permission for them to be shared and replicated.
Released in August 2009
Crown Consultation and Practices Across Canada [PDF]
by Maria Morellato
While significant progress has been made in some jurisdictions in Canada, there continues to be a marked discrepancy between what is required of the Crown at law and how the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate is actually being exercised. This discrepancy becomes particularly apparent upon a review and analysis of the various Crown consultation and accommodation policies developed to date in Canada. It is the author’s hope that the discussion which follows will facilitate productive and positive dialogue regarding how current Crown policies and practices may be changed for the better. It is intended to function as a framework for discussion rather than a comprehensive or prescriptive analysis. Much thinking needs to be done, ideally on a collaborative basis between the Crown and First Nations, concerning
what tangible steps can be taken in order to implement necessary change.
Prepared by the National Centre for First Nations Governance, April 2009
Presentation of Findings: Governance Think Tank [PDF]
This report presents the contributions and findings of the Governance Think Tank. The objective of the Governance Think Tank was to identify ways to effectively support communities through governance capacity building work, identify strategies by which communities exercise their inherent right to self-government and obtain feedback regarding existing governance principles framework, indicators of good governance and determine emerging areas of research needed to support the work of the National Centre for First Nations Governance.
Prepared by the National Centre for First Nations Governance, March 2008
Presentation of Findings: National Emerging Leadership Think Tank on Governance [PDF]
This informative report identifies fifteen priorities for rebuilding First Nations. The report summarizes the candid dialogue of thirty emerging young Aboriginal leaders who traveled across Canada from their territories to meet for two days in Vancouver, BC. Their discussions exemplified the tremendous leadership qualities of First Nations youth across Canada.
Prepared by the National Centre for First Nations Governance, June 2008
The Crown's Costitutional Duty to Consult and Accommodate Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
[PDF,468 kb]
by Maria Morellato
Research Paper prepared for the NCFNG, February 2008
The Jurisdiction of Inherent Right Aboriginal Governments [PDF, 420 kb]
by Kent McNeil
Research Paper prepared for the NCFNG, October 2007
January, 2008: Centre Quarterly [PDF, 431 kb]
Newsletter of the NCFNG: WINTER, 2008
Centre Quarterly [PDF, 380 kb]
Newsletter of the NCFNG: Fall, 2007
Forum on Indigenous Leadership in the 21st Century [PDF, 1.5 mb]
Final Activity Report on the NCFNG-organized forum, Vancouver: August, 2007
The Nisga'a Treaty: A New Reality [PDF, 684 kb]
by Edmond Wright
Presentation to the Pacific Business and Law Institute Treaty Making 2007 Conference,
Vancouver, May, 2007
NCFNG Annual Report, 2006-2007.
NCFNG Annual Report 2006-2007 [PDF, 847 kb]
A Model for Aboriginal Facilitation: an Open, Empowering Way to Get Consensus and Action(Introducing Open Space Technology) [PDF, 188 kb]
by John Swanson
Published in JAM: the Journal of Aboriginal Management, November, 2006
Aboriginal Title and the Supreme Court: What’s Happening? [PDF, 110 kb]
by Kent McNeil
Published in the Saskatchewan Law Review, Volume 69, 2006
What is the Inherent Right of Self-Government? [PDF, 114 kb]
Speaking Notes, prepared by Kent McNeil
Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group and National Centre for First Nations Governance, Governance Development Forum, Parksville, B.C., October 3, 2006
Auditor General Reports that take INAC to task for mismanagement.
2004 Report on Post-Secondary Education [PDF, 326 kb]
2003 Report on Economic Development [PDF, 453 kb]
2002 Report on onerous Reporting Standards required of First Nations [PDF, 543 kb]
The Carleton Report, Volume 1: First Nations Governance Pilot Projects:
Challenge and Innovation [PDF, 499 kb]
The Carleton Report, Volume 2: Case Studies of First Nations Governance Projects [PDF, 599 kb]
The Carleton Report, Volume 2, Appendix D: Inventory of First Nations Governance Projects [PDF, 113 kb]
The Carleton Report, Powerpoint Speaking Points [PDF, 179 kb]
prepared for the National Centre for First Nations Governance
by the Carleton University Centre for Community Innovation, February, 2005
In Pursuit of Capable Governance : A Report to the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation
[PDF, 614 kb]
by Stephen Cornell, Cheryl Goodswimmer, and Miriam Jorgensen
Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, December 2004
The Inherent Right of Self-Government: Emerging Directions for Legal Research [PDF, 437 kb]
research report prepared for the National Centre for First Nations Governance,
by Kent McNeil, November, 2004
en francais, LE DROIT INHÉRENT À L’AUTONOMIE GOUVERNEMENTALE: NOUVELLES ORIENTATIONS DE LA RECHERCHE EN DROIT [577 kb]
Traditional Governance and Constitution Making among the Gitanyow [PDF, 236 kb]
prepared for the National Centre for First Nations Governance,
by Albert C. Peeling, October, 2004
First Nations Governance Centre: Summary Report of Youth Think Tank [192 kb]
October 4th and 5th, 2004, Calgary (Alberta)
Rapport sommaire de la séance de réflexion des jeunes [238 kb]
Les 4 et 5 octobre 2004, Calgary (Alberta)
Bold Steps and New Partnerships: Proposals for University-First Nations Relations and the Return of Self-Government [98 kb]
A Discussion Paper Prepared for the First Nations Governance Centre,
Prepared by Patricia Monture and Ken Coates, September 2004
Démarches audacieuses et partenariats nouveaux: Projets de relations universités-Premières Nations et retour de l’autonomie gouvernementale [222 kb]
Document de travail préparé pour le Centre de la gouvernance des Premières Nations,
par Patricia Monture et Ken Coates, Septembre 2004
Community Governance and Nation (Re)Building: Centering Indigenous Learning and Research [PDF, 160 kb]
by Patricia A. Monture,
Professor Monture examines the legal research needs of First Nation communities, 2004
en francais, La gouvernance des collectivités et la (re)construction des nations: La centralisation de l’apprentissage et de la recherche autochtones [PDF, 347 kb]
Aboriginal Governance: An Annotated Bibliography [PDF, 225 kb]
prepared for the National Centre for First Nations Governance,
by Albert C. Peeling with the assistance of Val Napoleon, updated January 2005
also available as a 
Word document [143 kb]
en francais, Bibliographie Annotée [376 kb]
Power Sharing and First Nations Governments in Canada [PDF, 136 kb]
by Frank Cassidy,
School of Public Administration, University of Victoria, February 2004
The Existence of Aboriginal Governance Rights within the Canadian Legal System [PDF, 168 kb]
by Maria Morellato,
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, December 2003
The Concept of Governance and its Implications for First Nations [PDF, 544 kb]
by Stephen Cornell, Catherine Curtis, and Miriam Jorgensen,
Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, August 2003
Report to the BC regional Vice Chief, Assembly of First Nations.
Section 91(24) Powers, the Inherent Right of Self-Government, and Canada's Fiduciary Obligations [PDF, 496 kb]
by Kent McNeil, August 2002
Research Paper prepared for the BC regional Vice Chief, Assembly of First Nations.
The Implications of Parliament's Exercise of Section 91(24) Powers for the Inherent Right of Self-Government [PDF, 500 kb]
by Kent McNeil, August 2002
Research Paper prepared for the BC regional Vice Chief, Assembly of First Nations.
The First Nations Governance Act: Implications of Research Findings from the United States and Canada [PDF, 288 kb]
by Stephen Cornell, Miriam Jorgensen, and Joseph P. Kalt
Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, July 2002
Report to the BC regional Vice Chief, Assembly of First Nations.