Page 60 - Moose Deer Point First Nation

Self-Government
WORDS TO KNOW
negotiate: discuss to
settle something
ratified: approved formally
Though one of our ancestors
is Chief Ogemawahj, the OTC’s
name is not connected to
this Chief.
58 Moose Deer Point First Nation
ogemawahj_community_book6.indd 58
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.
We worked hard along with the other seven First Nations that
comprise the United Anishinaabeg Council (UAC) to negotiate a
self-government agreement with the Canadian Government. The
UAC is Alderville First Nation, Beausoleil First Nation, Curve Lake
First Nation, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, Hiawatha
First Nation, Moose Deer Point First Nation, Chippewas of Rama
First Nation, and Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
Our community ratified the self-government agreement, but
because the other First Nations did not, no agreement was made
at that time. We have, however, ratified a number of important
agreements that move us away from the Indian Act.
We are also a member of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council (OTC).
When the OTC was being formed in the late 1980s and early
1990s, the name Ogemawahj was put forward by the Chief from
Beausoleil First Nation. The word Ogema translates into “Chief”
or “leader.” The other chiefs did not know the word Ogemawahj,
so, at first, they did not settle on this name. However, the
more they discussed it, the more they accepted the word to
mean “council of leaders” and that it was the best name for
the Tribal Council. Today, the OTC continues to do good work
in supporting First Nation housing, education, training, and
management support.
2019-02-27 11:44 AM