Grand Council takes ‘bold move’
Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin accepted in principle
The Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin was accepted in principle by a unanimous decision of the Chiefs at the November 15 and 16 Fall Assembly at Garden River. This is a step that bodes well for the official adoption and proclamation of the Anishinabek Nation’s constitution at the June 2012 Grand Council.
“Let’s not underestimate the work we did here today,” exclaimed Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee. Visibly elated by the consensus achieved on the landmark decision, Madahbee commended Chiefs “for taking this bold move.”
“The symbolism of our Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin is so significant. It is our re-affirmation, on our terms, of our rights as an indigenous people. It tells our people that we will determine our future. It should inspire us and raise our confidence to do what we need to do to for ourselves - establish our governments, implement our treaties, and exercise our inherent rights and jurisdictions. Our children and youth will learn to be so confident and so strong. This can truly be the turning point that we’ve been seeking, in our relationship with Canada.”
Moving to accept the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin in principle, Chief Joseph Hare of M’Chigeeng said, “The time has come to take the next step. The time is over for each of us to say ‘I don’t like this part.’ We have to believe in the work done by the committee and the Elders. It is time to believe in and trust each other.”
Seconder of the motion, Chief Shining Turtle of Whitefish River, stated, “This is the very best work our citizens came up with, not the government (Canada). We will talk amongst ourselves and go forward with trust.” Chief Shining Turtle also commended the steering committee for “the hard work and expedited effort to bring the document forward to today’s session.”
At last June’s Grand Council, the Chiefs adopted the Preamble, Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe (All of our tribes in our Nations) brought forward by Anishinabek Elders; but after heated debate on the articles of the constitution, deferred its adoption to allow further discussion within First Nation communities. The Chiefs issued a new mandate and the Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe Steering Committee was established to address concerns. The committee revised the constitutional document, keeping true to its spirit and intent while making it more flexible and less detailed; thus allowing for future Grand Council decisions on ‘how’ the Anishinabek Nation Government will operate.
Individual First Nation discussion on the revised Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin will continue until March 1, 2012, at which time input will be analyzed, any revisions made, and a final revised version sent to Chiefs and Councils by April 1, 2012, in preparation for official adoption and proclamation at the next Grand Council Assembly, in June 2012.
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