Rebuilding First Nations Governance

What is the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project?

The Centre for First Nations Governance is a founding partner of Rebuilding First Nations Governance, a six-year research project to identify the most effective ways for First Nations to transition from Indian Act administrations to self-determining governments. Project researchers work with First Nations who participate in the Centre’s Transitional Governance Program. Community-led research emerges from the priorities identified by the rights holders – the people – to develop a roadmap and tools to help other First Nations reclaim Indigenous forms of decision-making and revitalize Indigenous governance practices.

Why is self-determination important?

Effective self-governance is critical to the survival, health and well-being of First Nations people. It is a central pillar in reconciliation and in the creation of a new nation-to-nation relationship with the Crown. It is crucial to the long-term governance of Canada.

How does the project work?

All First Nations in the Centre’s Transitional Governance Program can participate in the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project . As First Nations transition to self-governance, our research partners at Rebuilding First Nations Governance conduct applied research to identify what works and what doesn’t. This information is used to develop a roadmap that shows First Nations best practices in moving away from the Indian Act and toward self-governance, as well as how to transform the relationship between First Nations, the Crown and the Canadian people.

What will the project deliver?

Over the life of the project, Rebuilding First Nations Governance will:

• identify challenges and opportunities
• develop better practices
• identify what works and what doesn’t
• provide recommendations on how federal and provincial governments can support the efforts of First Nations to achieve self-determination.

By the end of the project we will develop a model for all of Canada’s First Nations to guide them in their journey toward self-government.

Who’s involved?

The Centre for First Nations Governance and Carleton University are co-founders of the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project. Project partners include six First Nations and two Tribal Councils, six Canadian universities, three non-governmental organizations and 35 academic researchers and practitioners. Carleton University has received $2.5 million in funding over six years from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to support this investigation.

How can you become a partner in this project?

First Nations who participate in the Centre’s Transitional Governance Program have the option to become partners. Funders interested in supporting this project can become a partner. If you have questions, email us at services@fngovernance.org.

Visit the Rebuilding First Nations Governance website: carleton.ca/rfng