Obishikokaang Ogiimaankaawiin – The Good Governance Project

Council Governance Workshop April 2024

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 Ogiimaankaawin 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 June, 2025, the WG has participated in 14 meetings.

Metallic Law and AS Williams Consulting attended Treaty Days in 2023 and 2024, conducted engagement sessions in the LSFN communities in November 2023 and May 2025, and attended the 2024 and 2025 Annual General Meetings.

The proposed Election Law was presented at the January 2025 AGM and will be put forward for a Community Approval Vote on Feb 3, 2026.

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.

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.