first nations governance act
Introduction The First Nations Governance Act (Bill C-7) was re-introduced to Parliament by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Robert Nault, on June 14, 2002. This federal initiative was proposed with the intent of modernizing the 126-year old Indian Act in efforts to provide bands administered by the Indian Act with the tools for building self-sustaining communities. Throughout the consultation stages the federal government has identified four main priorities in reforming the Indian Act: leadership selection, administration of government, legal capacity and law-making authorities, and financial management and accountability. Upon receiving Royal Assent, this new legislation will be imposed on all First Nations, regardless of whether First Nations agree or disagree with the contents. Opposition to the FNGA amongst First Nations leaders and political organizations across Canada is strong. In response, the Assembly of First Nations, Chiefs of Ontario and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation withdrew from the consultation process and passed a resolution to boycott any further consultations reaffirming their position that the “proposed legislation is more about increasing accountability for First Nations, while minimizing the governments responsibilities, obligations and liabilities to First Nations”. ... First Nations Governance Act (Bill C-7) The First Nations Governance Act (Bill C-7) has been addressed by First Nations leaders and political organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation as a formula to decrease the federal governments obligations and responsibilities with First Nation bands by imposing amendments to the Indian Act. The main opposition is based on the fact that the proposed legislation does not address the immediate priorities of First Nations communities. The enforcement of the FNGA will continue a pattern of paternalistic relations between Canada’s First Nations and the federal government rather than moving towards self-governance. Background Minister of Indian Affairs, Robert Nault, first launched the First Nations Governance initiative in April 2001 to modernize governance components of the Indian Act and address or further define the legal capacity, financial accountability and leadership selection processes of bands administered under the Indian Act. Since October 2002, the federal government has gone forward with community consultations and plans to have the FNGA and related amendments to the Indian Act completed by 2006. ... Proposed changes have been described by Minister Nault as “a response to the call for change by the First Nations people”, however the process of defining or determining priority issues are not clearly defined in any published material.