Strategic Vision the shared, long term dream of the people – the future state that citizens hope to achieve collectively. Vision charts the course from where the people are to where they want to be and is relevant to those in the present time and to those in the future seven generations.

First Nations engage their people in decision making in many different ways. What matters is that the process of decision making be open, inclusive and appropriate to the community. Your process needs to be understood and endorsed by all members of your community.

Meaningful information sharing is critical for citizens to realize their vision. Information truly is power and information sharing works to ensure power is also shared. Meaningful information sharing occurs when the exchange of information occurs frequently, openly and in all directions.

First Nations Peoples are positioned to take back our legitimate place on the Land. This will be accomplished by asserting our inherent rights to protect and preserve the Land and its resources, and by optimizing the economic opportunities the Land provides. These rights are ours through our ancestral role as stewards of the Land. It is through connecting with and honouring the spirit of the Land that our governance strategies remain effective and appropriate.

Effective governments possess the right and the tools to develop their lands into sustainable economies. They realize wealth through participation in resource development and through leveraging those resources to access additional sources of revenue beyond their communities. Aboriginal title includes an inescapable economic component. This is a legal right that First Nations must realize to benefit their citizens and finance their governments. This realization will come through consultation and accommodation that minimize infringement and maximize economic benefits.

Given the irrevocable link between title and governance, it is imperative that First Nations organize to extend our connection across the historic lands our Nations utilized. Territorial integrity begins with assertion and must be supported by land use mapping and stewardship planning to reclaim our responsibility for decision making.

Rule of law in traditional territory comes after jurisdiction is established. When individuals abide by the laws of the land they validate the legitimacy of the governing authority. The rule of law provides clear instruction on acceptable behaviour – behaviour that benefits the community – and provides recourse when behaviour is unacceptable. In a civil society, the rule of law exists to minimize conflict involving individuals or corporate entities.  Clear rules and conflict resolution are critical for successful economic development on First Nation land.

Expansion of jurisdiction refers to exercising authority beyond the limits of the Indian Act. The expansion of jurisdiction can be done in different ways: through accepting offers of delegated authority, through negotiation, and through exercising the your right to self-governance. Authority can be assumed incrementally and gradually, come suddenly through a significant legislative change, or an act of sovereign will. What is important is that jurisdiction is expanded consistent with achieving the People’s vision.

Effective inter-governmental relations maximize the opportunities for communication and effective decision-making while minimizing the opportunities for conflict. Effective inter-governmental relations result in productive and satisfying working relationships where the goal is a “win-win”. The result is the advancement of the interests of all governments whenever possible.

Cultural alignment of institutions is where the organizations are infused with practices and beliefs consistent with the values of the people being represented. It is with cultural alignment that effective governance in First Nations communities will exist.

Results-based organizations are imperative for any governing body to measure the effectiveness of its governance. In measuring the effectiveness of First Nations governance, a key result would be the extent to which the organizations have moved the people toward their strategic vision.

Transparency and Fairness make certain that First Nations institutions and the ways they operate are understood by the People they are designed to serve. Sharing processes openly assures citizens that decisions are made fairly. Fairness does not mean that all decisions will be the same, but that criteria will be applied consistently in making all decisions. It is in the implementation of a policy that its fairness is revealed. Transparency minimizes the opportunity for preferential treatment and the advancement of private interests over public good.

Expanding the diversity of revenue sources is critical to financial management. Historically, First Nations have depended on Canada to provide core funding for programs and services working within the narrow scope of the Indian Act and similar limited legislation. First Nations must reduce the dependency on any one funding source and work toward generating their own revenues.

Through rigorous and transparent systems of accountability and reporting, we close the accountability loop by providing citizens and partners with the information they need to participate in informed decision-making.

Performance evaluation allows for the recognition of achievement, while also shedding light on what adjustments should be implemented when expectations are not being met. Parallel to the significance of evaluating performance, is the need to report results back to the community.

Financial management capacity ensures that our good work is not derailed by an inability to plan for, monitor, and account for financial resources. Financial capacity permits long-term, multi-year planning and proactive decision-making. Effective financial management permits communities to plan beyond the arbitrary end of a fiscal year or a federal funding cycle, and instead to plan for generations.

Human resource capacity speaks to the skills and abilities of the people that govern our communities and implement our community programs and services. With the right to govern comes the responsibility to govern well. The expansion of our human resource capacity, including the professional development of the next generation of leaders and managers, is a necessary investment to see that our Nations possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to govern effectively.