Page 56 - Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Self-Government

Presently, our community is governed by the Indian Act and
bylaws enacted by the Chief and Council. This is a less than
ideal situation for us, as it removes most of the control from
the people in the First Nation territory and allows Crown–
Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to have the
final decision on many things affecting our day-to-day lives.

WORDS TO KNOW We worked hard along with the other First Nations that
comprise the United Anishinaabeg Council (UAC), a group of
capital projects: projects that
focus on building or improving eight First Nations, to negotiate a self-government agreement
community resources with the Canadian government. Our community did not ratify
Constitution: a set of rules the self-government agreement, but we did negotiate and
or laws that are used to run
ratify other self-government agreements, such as the Lands
an organization
Management Code, Anishinabek Education System, and the First
jurisdiction: right to enact our
own laws Nation Election Act. We are also a member of the First Nations
negotiate: discuss to Financial Management Board. This allows us to seek financing for
settle something capital projects.
ratify: approve formally
In 2017, we ratified our own Constitution. The Constitution was
passed to enact our own laws and recognize our jurisdiction as
we move away from the Indian Act.

In 2017, we ratified

our own Constitution.

54 Chippewas of Rama First Nation

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