Our Partners

Rebuilding First Nations Governance

The Centre is a founding partner of this unique project.

Rebuilding First Nations Governance is a six-year research project to identify the most effective ways for First Nations to transition from Indian Act administrations to self-determining governments. The Centre for First Nations Governance and Carleton University are co-founders. Carleton University has received $2.5 million over six years from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to support this investigation. Project partners include six First Nations and two Tribal Councils, six Canadian universities, three non-governmental organizations and 35 academic researchers and practitioners.

 

File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council 

File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council is participating in the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project.

The File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council  is the political and service organization for the Qu’Appelle Agency and the File Hills Agency, delivering programs and services to the 11 First Nations in the Treaty Four Territory. The purpose of the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council is to:

  • Protect, Implement and Enforce Inherent Treaty Rights
  • Promote Self-Determination
  • Assist in the development of productive and safe communities
  • Provide technical and advisory services
  • Address the common interests of First Nations in an equitable and professional manner while respecting the priorities of culture.

Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government

Listuguj is participating in the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project.

The Mi’gmaq creation story tells of the formation of Mi’gma’gi and the creation of its seven districts. Mi’gma’gi includes the Gaspé Peninsula, parts of mainland Québec and Maine, and northeastern New Brunswick. Listuguj, the seventh and largest district, is located in Gespe’gewa’gi (“The Last Land”). Listuguj is comprised of 4,058 members; 2,108 members living on reserve and 1,950 members living off reserve. They are not an individual community in isolation, but rather an integral part of Gespe’gewa’gi and Mi’gma’gi.

 

Nadleh Whut’en First Nation

Nadleh Whut’en citizens are participating in our Transitional Governance Program.

Nadleh refers to where the salmon return every year. Whut’en refers to where you come from. The Nadleh Whut’en people are a part of the Athapaskan language group, which covers most of north eastern BC, part of northern Alberta, southern Yukon and south west Northwest Territories. The Nadleh Whut’en speak a dialect of the Dakelh Language which is part of the Athapaskan language family. Their people refer to themselves as Dakelh, which means “people who travel by water.” The Nadleh Whut’en First Nation territory is located in north central BC. It encompasses approximately 500,000 hectares (5,000 sq. kms) and includes several Indian Reserves managed by Nadleh Whut’en.

 

Cowessess First Nation

Cowessess First Nation is participating in the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project.

Cowessess First Nation is located in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Their name comes from Chief Cowessess (Ka-wezauce, “Little Boy”), leader of a mixed band of Plains Cree, Saulteaux and Metis. They were known as plains bison hunters ranging from Leech Lake (Saskatchewan) as far southwest as the Cypress Hills and the Milk River basin in Montana. Chief Cowessess adhered to Treaty 4 on September 15, 1874. His followers remained nomadic until 1878–79, when they began farming near Maple Creek in the Cypress Hills. In 1880 a reserve was surveyed for them at Crooked Lake. Cowessess First Nation people are Saulteaux, with a population of 4300 on and off reserve.

 

Líl̓wat Nation

Lil’wat citizens are participating in our Transitional Governance Program.

In Líl̓wat Nation, the people come first. They believe that good governance comes from listening to their people, so leadership ensures that citizens have many opportunities to engage with government. Líl̓wat Nation are Interior Salish and their lands are located in central British Columbia.

 

Dzawada’enuxw First Nation

Dzawada’enuxw citizens are participating in our Transitional Governance Program.

Dzawada’enuxw First Nation is located on the mainland West Coast of Canada across from the northern tip of Vancouver Island, Their village is alongside the Gwa’yi (Kingcome) River in a glacier fed river valley, surrounded by tall mountains,  They have a long history of co-operation and intermarriage among four tribes: Dzawada’enux̱w, Gwawa̱’enux̱w; ḵwiḵwa̱sut̕inux̱w; and, Ha̱x̱wa’mis. The four tribes consider themselves as one people and are members of the Kwakwaka’wakw group of nations.

 

Gitsegukla First Nation

Gitsegukla First Nation is participating in the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project.

In the Gitxsan language, Gitsegukla translates to “people living under the precipice” or more specifically, under the “Segukla” otherwise known as the “sharp-pointed” mountain. With a population of about 500, Gitsegukla sits at the confluence of the Kitseguecla and Skeena Rivers. Situated in the heart of the Skeena Valley, the community is surrounded by the natural landscapes that their ancestors have lived off of for generations.

 

The McConnell Foundation

The people at McConnell support us as we develop a better path to self-determination.

The McConnell Foundation has generously provided the Centre for First Nations Governance with multi-year funding, enabling us to further develop our road map to First Nations self-government and allowing us to provide more intensive support to communities working on transitional governance. The McConnell Foundation is a private Canadian organization that develops and applies innovative approaches to social, cultural, economic and environmental challenges. They are committed to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and seek to unleash the resources and creativity of individuals and organizations from all sectors to solve social challenges.

 

Institute of Public Administration of Canada

The professionals at IPAC help us deliver expertise in governance.

The Institute of Public Administration of Canada partners with the Centre to provide First Nations with expertise in developing effective and efficient governance. IPAC is a partner in the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project. The Institute is Canada’s leading professional organization supporting excellence in the country’s public sector. Members include public servants, academics and others interested in public administration. The Institute works closely with all levels of government to promote quality public services and practices. It is is a recognized leader in research, training, knowledge sharing and outreach.

 

Carleton University – School of Public Policy and Administration

Carleton researchers are helping us find out what works best.

Carleton University has partnered with the Centre for First Nations Governance to develop and support the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project. The university’s School of Public Policy and Administration has received $2.5 million over six years from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to to identify the most effective ways for First Nations to transition from Indian Act administrations to self-determining governments.. The School has been a centre of policy research and academic excellence for more than 65 years. Each year, the school welcome approximately 60 new masters’ students, six new PhD candidates and 25 diploma students.