Page 21 - Alderville First Nation

The Chief and Council, 2017;
left to right: Councillor Julie
Bothwell, Councillor Jody
Holms, Chief James Marsden,
Councillor Penny Crowe,
Councillor David Simpson

Local First Nation Government

and Leadership

Our present-day First Nations model of government was
established by the Indian Act in 1876 and revised several
times since (see page 66 of the Resources section for more
information about the Indian Act). Elections are held every two
WORDS TO KNOW
years, and follow the guidelines established by CIRNAC where
campaign: planned activities
candidates are nominated, a campaign is run, and votes are aimed toward reaching a goal
cast, much as any election held in Canada. As of the election candidates: people who run for
held in the year 2015, all members of the First Nation are eligible a public position
to vote in these elections, whether they reside in the First Indian Act: federal laws that
govern all parts of life for
Nation territory or elsewhere.
First Nations people who are
registered under the act
An elected Chief and four councillors govern Alderville First
nominated: when someone’s
Nation. A quorum of these people (3 of 5 members) is required
name is entered in an election
for any meeting to be held. After consultation and consideration,
quorum: the lowest number of
each councillor serves on committees that he or she is members of a group that must
be present to hold a meeting or
responsible to oversee. Committees include Education/Student
make a decision
Services, Economic Development, Child Care, and Housing.
There can be more than one councillor on each committee as
well as experts (both First Nations and non-Indigenous), and
members from our community. The Chief and Council govern the
community through the Administration Office.

Alderville First Nation 19

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