Treaty 2 Territory – The Local Nations, FNT2T and Canada acknowledge their relationship is based and recognized through the making of Treaty 2 in 1871. Colonization and assimilation interrupted the Anishinaabek way of life by Canada, and now is the time to set things right for the Local Nations through the Government of FNT2T.
Currently the Local Nations and FNT2T are exercising the Anishinaabe way of governance through their ancestral ways and Inherent Rights.
“Through the original spirit and intent of our ancestral laws our Local Nations are restoring original governance through a collective governing body, FNT2T” – Chief Norman Bone, Keeseekoowenin Anishinaabe Nation.
The day before entering into Treaty 2 negotiations the Crown recognized that the Anishinaabek held collective authority to consent and enter into Treaty. And functioned under the degree of our own inherent authority in culture, language, economic and legal systems. Our ways of life were locally and territorially structured to protect and steward the natural world within the boundary of the Territory and beyond.
This process is intended to restore the Local Nations’ and Local Nations Memberships’ governance outside of the Indian Act. With an aim to seek an agreement that recognizes the Local Nations’ collective government through FNT2T by developing a governance and international recognition agreement.
An analysis put together in 2018 by FNT2T found that Canada’s self-governing process doesn’t work and will not work for the Local Nations and FNT2T. The Local Nations and FNT2T have their own Onankonehkawin (laws) on governing and will continue to assert them.
Objectives of Acknowledgement & Recognition of the Government of First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory:
- Canada to acknowledge the Inherent Right of Governance of the First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory (FNT2T). It is FNT2T’s interest that governance over Central Turtle Island is exercised in a manner that is consistent with FNT2T’s“The Declaration of Collective Rights of the People of Treaty 2 Territory with Respect to Lands and Territory”;
- The establishment of the Government of FNT2T has the power to enact laws to address matters of common concern to Local Nations;
- That Canada acknowledgement that the FNT2T is a Government;
- the acknowledgement of a government-to-government relationship between the Parties within the framework of the Royal Proclamation 1763, British North America Act, 1867, Treaty 2 1871 and The Constitution Act, 1982 consistent with FNT2T’s “The Declaration of Collective Rights of the People of Treaty 2 Territory with Respect to Lands and Territory”;
- To confirm authority of the Local Nations and FNT2T to establish institutions, procedures and processes with the three pillars: land, governance and wellbeing;
- The establishment of a new Crown financial relationship to finance the exercise of law-making;
- Implement the spirt and intent of Treaty 2, 1871; and
- Development of a framework for negotiating future government-to-government agreements between the parties.
This section includes Local Nations’ and FNT2T’s Onankonehkawin making authority for the following:
- FNT2T Government;
- Citizenship;
- Internal structures, operations, procedures and financial management;
- Selection of representatives for FNT2T; and
- Administration, enforcement and adjudication of FNT2T Onankonehkawin.
Canada’s role is to support the Local Nations in exercising their collective self-government through FNT2T by:
- Recognizing and confirming legal status and capacity of FNT2T;
- Understanding the structure of FNT2T government and decision-making process;
- Recognizing and clarifying the jurisdiction and authority of FNT2T government within the context of the Canadian Constitutional Framework;
- Harmonization of laws to support better governance and effective multi-lateral arrangements among all levels of government; and
A new fiscal relationship in which FNT2T identify their own priorities to meet their FNT2T Members’ needs.
Last modified: September 28, 2020
