LibGuides: Intermediate Social Studies eResource Sets: Indigenous Governance

Self-Government

Self-governing First Nations can make their own laws and policies and have decision-making power in a broad range of matters. This includes matters internal to their communities and integral to their cultures and traditions. Under self-government, First Nations move out from under the Indian Act and chart their own course toward a brighter future.

Indigenous Self-Government
Government of Canada
Indigenous Self-Government in Canada Indigenous self-government is the formal structure through which Indigenous communities may control the administration of their people, land, resources and related programs and policies, through agreements with federal and provincial governments.
No political parties: How Nunavut's consensus government works (1:56) CBC News
United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) resource page
Indigenous Peoples in Canada eResource set

The Indian Act

Unless they have negotiated self-government, most First Nations are currently governed by the Indian Act. They elect chiefs and councils to make decisions on their behalf and pass by-laws in a limited number of areas.

Indian Act resource page
Indigenous Peoples in Canada eResource set

Canadian institutions and government reflect the challenge of our regional diversity (Grade 5).
Demographic changes in North America created shifts in economic and political power (Grade 4).

Self-Government Agreements

Different forms of governance or self-government have been negotiated in Canada. There are 25 self-government agreements across Canada involving 43 Indigenous communities. There are also 2 education agreements involving 35 Indigenous communities.

Modern treaties and Self-Government Agreements Map of Modern treaties and Self-Government Agreements signed to date across Canada,

Nisga'a Lisims Government 2000 The Nisga’a Nation has the right to self-government and the authority to make laws. Nisga’a Government is democratic, representative, and responsible to its citizens. It is composed of Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG) and the four Nisga’a Village Governments. Each Nisga’a Village acts through its Nisga’a Village Government in exercising its rights, powers and privileges, and in carrying out its duties, functions, and obligations. Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a (WSN) is the 36-member legislative body responsible for considering and passing Nisga’a Lisims Government laws. The Council of Elders provides guidance and oversight.
Tla'amin Nation Hawhɛgus (Governance) 2016 Since the beginning of time, our ancestors lived by a traditional system of governance that has sustained us and our lands and waters. A sophisticated system of laws governed all forms of environmental, social, and political relations. It is from this proud history that the Tla’amin Nation derives our inherent right of self-government. Today, the Tla’amin Legislature is the elected political body responsible for developing Tla’amin laws, consisting of the Hegus and eight elected representatives. The Hegus is the head of the Legislature and along with four of the elected representatives, provides day-to-day political guidance to the administration of the Tla’amin Nation. The Tla’amin administration is overseen by the Chief Administrative Officer who reports to the Hegus.
Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement 2018 23 Participating First Nations (PFNs) have signed an Agreement with Canada that recognizes Anishinabek control over education and creates the Anishinabek Education System (AES).
Nunavut
Nunavut Government

Intermediate Social Studies eResource Sets: Indigenous Governance

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Self-Government

The Indian Act

Unless they have negotiated self-government, most First Nations are currently governed by the Indian Act. They elect chiefs and councils to make decisions on their behalf and pass by-laws in a limited number of areas.

Canadian institutions and government reflect the challenge of our regional diversity (Grade 5). Demographic changes in North America created shifts in economic and political power (Grade 4).

Self-Government Agreements

Different forms of governance or self-government have been negotiated in Canada. There are 25 self-government agreements across Canada involving 43 Indigenous communities. There are also 2 education agreements involving 35 Indigenous communities.

Canadian institutions and government reflect the challenge of our regional diversity (Grade 5).
Demographic changes in North America created shifts in economic and political power (Grade 4).