There has been an outpouring of support and concern about cuts to the National Centre for First Nations Governance’s (NCFNG) funding and what it means for the development of self sufficient, independent First Nations in Canada. In response, the staff at the Centre will continue to deliver its governance rebuilding services where it can and for as long as it can operate. Read More

On March 20th, 2012, NCFNG hosted a BC Regional Forum that was attended by members from at least 21 communities from Central BC, Treaty 8 in the Northeast corner of British Columbia, Okanagan Nation and from the Shuswap Nation. The forum took place at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC on the Shuswap Nation territory. Read More

Heiltsuk BC, October 4, 2011 - The Heiltsuk Tribal Council signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Centre for First Nations Governance to formalize a relationship that started in 2007. Heiltsuk is embarking on a citizen driven process to develop a constitution, get beyond the Indian Act and implement more independent governance. The signing paves the way for the Centre to deliver multi-year support as the Heiltsuk Tribal Council prepares for nation rebuilding that will be based on extensive community consultation. Read More

For the second year in a row, NCFNG BC Region was proud to host an Intern from the Aboriginal Youth Internship with the British Columbia Public Service. Additionally, the region hosted a work placement through the Native Education College. Read More

On February 17 2011, in conjunction with the National Centre for First Nations Governance (NCFNG), the Heiltsuk Nation presented to over 100 participants during the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada’s national conference titled Nation Building—Keys to Success for the Next Decade. This workshop not the first collaborative effort between NCFNG and the Heiltsuk Nation; it was the result of an ongoing relationship of over four years. Read More

In late November 2010, representatives of the Treaty Eight Tribal Association gathered in Fort St. John, located in north-eastern British Columbia. They came together with the common goal of creating a plan for action for the next two to three years. This plan will empower Treaty Eight nations to effectively strengthen their governance, through unity and consensus, to achieve their goals in areas including protection of lands, law development and resource management. Read More

Recognizing that their rights and title to their traditional territory have never been extinguished, the Heiltsuk Nation continually honors their special relationship to the land by fishing, hunting and practicing cultural activities on the land. The majority of Heiltsuk citizens reside in Bella Bella, a remote community, accessible only by boat and air, located in the Central Coast of British Columbia along the famed Inside Passage. Their total membership is approximately 2200. Read More

In December 2009, over 24 representatives from Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta came together to explore the concept and process of constitution building. Read More

“The Tsawwassen People exist as part of two worlds: traditional and modern-day. We now institute the system where our two worlds can co-exist. We have connected our fundamental teachings together with universally held principles of responsible government to establish the Tsawwassen Government and to enact Tsawwassen Laws for the betterment of our People.” – Declaration of Tsawwassen Identity and Nationhood Read More

The four Shuswap communities that make up the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NSTC), are seeking ways to work together to implement their right to self-governance. They are located in the interior of British Columbia. Read More

NCFNG salutes the achievement of Tsawwassen First Nation (“TFN”) as they celebrated the first official day of self-government on the Effective Date of their Treaty, April 3rd, 2009. TFN, located approximately 25 kilometers outside of Vancouver, BC, possesses a land base of approximately 724 hectares of land. 290 are former reserves. Read More

Thompson Rivers University and the National Centre for First Nations Governance (NCFNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 6th, 2009 that establishes a framework for both organizations to work together to research, develop, and deliver appropriate programs and courses to enhance the governance and administrative skills of First Nations people. Read More

“First Nations youth benefit greatly from opportunities such as this” commented Squamish youth, Janice Campbell. Nisga’a participant Stephanie Johnson acknowledged that, “There were different languages, different types of animals, and even different ways of fishing. The dry terrain is also quite different in Cranbrook than the green forests in the Nass Valley.” Read More

At the community level, the most influential administrative position in First Nations governments are First Nations administrators. First Nations administrators include band managers, CEOs, COOs, and other senior managers. These key administrative positions play a significant role in the success of any initiative at the community level – including the broad goal of moving away from the Indian Act towards inherent right-based self-governance. Read More

The Maa-nulth First Nations and the NCFNG hosted the Learning From Experience: In Pursuit of Effective Implementation Forum held at the Hupacasath House of Gathering on April 9 and 10. Read More

The National Centre for First Nations Governance and the University of Victoria’s School of Public Administration are pleased to announce the delivery of two new courses for First Nations managers and administrators in February and March 2008. Read More

The National Centre for First Nations Governance is pleased to announce that over 30 Expressions of Interest (EOI) applications for Governance Capacity Assessments have been received from First Nation and Tribal Nations throughout British Columbia. Read More

The Thompson Rivers University and the National Centre for First Nations Governance are pleased to present the course “Essentials of First Nations Governance”, FNST 091, at the Thompson Rivers University campus in Kamloops on August 23-27, 2010. This course is intended for First Nations Council members or First Nations interested in First Nations governance issues. Topics presented include: Read More

NCFNG partners with educational institutions across Canada to provide current and future First Nation leaders and managers with the practical skills required to develop self sufficient, culturally relevant governance. Read More