BIRCH ISLAND—In a move aimed at increasing self-governance and sovereignty, Wawaaskinigaa (Ojibway’s of Whitefish River First Nation) passed a chi-naaknigewin (constitution) and entry into the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement (ANGA). The council vote ratifying these two documents took place on May 24.
“This is a significant milestone for Whitefish River First Nation,” said Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow. “The enactment of this chi-naaknigewin is our people’s collective inherent right to self-government on our traditional territory that has existed since time immemorial and provides a solid governance foundation with the flexibility to be amended as needed.”
Chief Nahwegahbow noted that the ratification of the ANGA allows chief and council to take the necessary steps with B’Maakonigan and Canada to join the ANGA, this is expected to be completed by April 1, 2026. B’Maakonigan, loosely translated, means “that which guides, supports and encourages,” is the name of a new governing body—the Anishinabek Nation Government—which, under the guidance of Elders and Anishinabek Nation Councils “will help the current signatory First Nations, (AOK, BZA, Magnetawan, Moose Deer Point, Namaygoosisagagun, Nipissing, Sheshegwaning, Wahnipitae and Zhiibaahaasing) and those First Nation communities that sign on in the future, with their journey into the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement.”
He noted that the community has decided that joining ANGA brings many benefits, including increased band support funding, with support jumping from $475,000 to over $2 million; law-making power, including the authority to make laws in four important areas: language and culture; elections (leadership selection; citizenship; management and operations; recognition as a legislated governing body) and an enhanced nation-to-nation relationship through the governance agreement’s intergovernmental forum.
ANGA provides for the establishment of an Anishinabek Nation Government with the power to enact laws and to address matters of common concern to First Nations; the establishment of a new government-to-government relationship between the parties within the framework of the Constitution Act, 198; the exercise of certain law-making powers and other authorities by the First Nations and the Anishinabek Nation; the power of the First Nation governments and the Anishinabek Nation Government to establish institutions, procedures and processes which help promote effective governance, economic prosperity, social well-being and healthy communities; the establishment of a new intergovernmental financial relationship and fiscal arrangements to support the exercise of law-making powers and other authorities under the agreement; its implementation provides a framework for negotiating future self-government agreements between the parties and other related matters.
