Obishikokaang Ogiimankaawin – The Good Governance Project
What is the Good Governance Project (GGP)?
Over the past 2 years, Metallic Law (a First Nation law firm), with the assistance of AS Williams Consulting (a First Nation consulting firm), have supported LSFN Chief and Council in a project to review and update LSFN laws and policies. Examples of what has been addressed are Elections/Voting processes (Custom Election Law), and Governance (Policy and Guidelines for Chief and Council, also known as the Governance Manual). The project was given the traditional name Obishikokaang Ogiimankaawin by a Council-appointed Working Group.
Why Does LSFN Need This Project?
This project has been an important part of the mandate for Chief and Council during the 2022-24 term and is an important step in the move toward greater self-governance for LSFN.
Most importantly, by creating and voting to adopt a new Custom Election Law, LSFN will be able to remove itself from the election requirements of the Indian Act and take control of its own electoral process.
More than half of all First Nations in Canada have already made this important change. It is the right and responsibility of all community members to be informed and involved in governance-based processes.
Project Timeline - Activities to Date
This project began in February 2023, and in January 2024, a Governance Coordinator (Leslie King, he/him/his, paternal connection to LSFN) was hired to support “on the ground” work. The team has held meetings and workshops with Chief and Council (C&C), conducted in-person and virtual community engagements via two separate surveys, and began collaborating with a Chief and Council-appointed, 8-member community Working Group (WG) in June 2024. Consulting with the WG ensures community voice is central to the work of the GGP. As of November 13th, 2024, the WG has participated in 8 meetings
Metallic Law and AS Williams Consulting attended Treaty Days in 2023 and 2024 and conducted engagement sessions in each of the 3 LSFN communities in November 2023.
The proposed Election Law will be presented at the January 2025 AGM and at community information sessions starting in Spring 2025. Council has indicated that Fall 2025 is the target date for a Community Approval Vote to adopt a new custom Election Law.
New Council Guidelines and Policies – passed 20/9/2024
Based on the feedback from the community and Chief and Council (C&C), a new “Policy and Guidelines Manual” (Governance Manual) for Chief and Council, was presented to C&C and passed by BCR on September 20, 2024. This document will help to streamline and guide the processes of Chief and Council in the future. It includes a Code of Conduct for all of Chief and Council to sign and abide by and also documents a process to remove elected officials who violate the Code of Conduct. The new Governance Manual also includes a required Oath of Office for incoming Chief and Council.
The Manual and Policies are available for review at the links below, and includes 5 key sections:
- Policy and Guidelines for Chief and Council creates a framework for good governance at Lac Seul First Nation and ensures that members of Council perform their duties in a manner that is responsible, appropriate and consistent with Lac Seul First Nation’s values and interests. This document outlines the Role of Council, Duties and Obligations of Council, Procedures, Penalties, Code of Conduct and an Oath of Office.
- Conflict of Interest Policy: to make sure decisions are made in the interests of Lac Seul First Nation only and to enhance public confidence in Council and Committees.
- Confidentiality Policy: to protect the privacy of Lac Seul First Nation Chief and Council, Members, Staff, and other individuals, as well as to safeguard the confidentiality of Lac Seul First Nation business operations and relationships.
- Council Communications Policy: to ensure that Chief and Council have regular, defined interactions and communication processes with the Membership built on respect, trust, understanding and consensus.
- Community Engagement: to guide the implementation of a strong engagement process for the Lac Seul First Nation community on matters that affect the community as a whole.
Proposed Changes to the Election Law – Community Vote coming in 2025
In addition to Chief and Council and community engagement sessions, two surveys were conducted using both in person and online formats (over 200 responses received). These surveys, along with input from the Working Group, have informed several proposed changes to the way that LSFN can conduct elections. The following outlines the feedback received and the proposed changes.
What will be proposed in the new Law (and voted on by the Community)?
There is strong support (100%) to increase the term limit to 3 or 4 years in order for each elected Council to fulfill its mandate (the current term limit is 2 years, under the Indian Act). If the new Law is approved, Elections will take place every 4 years.
Both Council and the Community have been in favour of creating a new position of Deputy Chief to support Council processes. Each new Council will elect the Deputy Chief from the elected Councillors.
78% of survey respondents agreed that Council should be expected to commit full-time to their role and not hold other employment during their term.
To simplify the nomination process under the new Law, candidates will be required to file paperwork showing that they are eligible. Candidates also need to have the support of 10 people (who sign a petition) and must pay a small fee to show they are serious. All candidates must also attend an all-candidates meeting (that is live-streamed) to share their platform, plans and goals, and to answer questions from members.
67% of respondents said they would like to see online voting introduced for LSFN General elections. |
Under the new Law, LSFN will appoint an objective outsider to consider and investigate complaints of wrongdoing or corruption in elections. Any member can lodge a complaint by paying a fee which is refunded if the complaint is valid.
To ensure representatives are supported by the whole community, all members will be able to vote for all Council positions, not just the Councillors from their home community.
To allow off-reserve members a fair opportunity for participation in elections, they will be able to vote for all Council positions AND be able to run for new Off-reserve Council seats.
Most community members want to keep some form of “district seats” (ie: Councillors who represent each community – FMH, WB, KB), but many were also in favour of having an equal number of Councillors from each community. The new Law will propose a change to the number of seats designated for each community.
Survey
Contact
If you have questions about the Good Governance Project, or the proposed Election Law, please reach out to Leslie King, Governance Coordinator (leslieking@lacseulfn.org ; 807.582.3503 x 1035)
Who is Metallic Law
Metallic Law is a First Nations law firm focused on the protection and assertion of Indigenous rights. They have worked extensively with communities across Ontario on governance, policy development and wise practices. Saga Williams’ family is from Lac Seul, and her mother’s family home is on Trout Lake.
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