 |
|
 |
Update to Membership
The National Centre for First Nations Governance
The National Centre for First Nations Governance
UPDATE TO MEMBERSHIP
We have had some very positive accomplishments coming into first few months of the new fiscal year.
Communities
We continue our work across the country as we support First Nations as they seek to implement their inherent right of self-government. From April to the present, 18 additional communities have approached us and are in discussions with the Centre about future projects (4 in Atlantic, 3 in Quebec, 2 in Ontario, 5 in the Prairies, 4 in BC).
With these new communities we are now in a total of 72 communities (10 in Atlantic, 7 in Quebec, 6 in Ontario, 12 in the Prairies, and 37 in BC).
Partnerships
The Centre also continues its work to build effective partnerships and we have 6 relationships in the last three months with the following organizations:
- Ecole Nationale d'Administration Publique
- University of Alberta
- Dalhousie
- Cape Breton
- University of Victoria
- Institute of Corporate Governance
For example, the Centre will work with Institute of Corporate Governance to utilize ICG's work on core competencies for effective boards, and articulate core competencies which correspond to the First Nations context.
Governance Advisory Services
Our Governance Directorate at been busy supporting the work of governance in all regions across the country.
Staff have completed a process to document this work into project charters which have been grouped into 9 project teams around the following topics:
• CHIEF AND COUNCIL WORKSHOP – for councils that want to
understand governance principles and roles/responsibilities. (See Atlantic & QC)
• GOVERNANCE PLANNING WORKSHOP/PRESENTATION – introductory presentation
about NCFNG and simple planning/priority setting exercise to help scope
out potential work with the First Nation (See Prairies & QC)
• CONSTITUTIONS – process to develop constitutions (See BC;
Prairies; Atlantic)
• CODES – citizenship & election codes; possibly a final
edit of the "toolkit" materials so they can be published and
development of "toolkit" related workshops (See Atlantic & Prairies)
• INHERENT RIGHT WORKSHOP/STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT – process and
materials to support inherent right strategy development and specific pieces
required for implementation (See Prairies)
• LAW MAKING – process to develop inherent right laws (See
BC)
• COMMUNICATION STRATEGY TEMPLATE – process to assist First
Nations to develop a communication strategy for our projects or their own
requirements (like ratification) (See All Regions)
• GOVERNANCE UNDERSTANDING – projects which help NCFNG to better
articulate it's approach to governance; principles framework paper; best
practices paper; GCA final report (Corporate Need)
• CASE STUDIES – community based research; identifying best
practices; can be used to support Circle of Governance.
We have also developed our first draft of our principles of governance and developed initial materials for our governance tool kit which will be available online.
We have now signed off Memorandums of Understanding with Ktunaxa and Westbank to join Centre's Circle of Excellence to build partnerships so we can learn from First Nations who have achieved excellence in governance
Research
The 27 research papers that were completed and peer reviewed earlier this year are all posted on our website. Four additional papers on regional implementation of the Inherent Right Strategy have been completed over last 3 months.
Professional Development
Work as well continues to help communities build their internal capacity for governance.
Other initiatives under capacity development include work with the University of Toronto to establish a possible partnerships to develop programs on implementation of the inherent right to self-government.
Communications
Communications has supported the outreach to the membership by provision of newsletters, launch of the 27 research papers, completion of the Annual Report and participating in our Governance think tank on our principles of governance.
Next Three Months
- AFN Presentation in July on the work of the governance centre and
our inherent right strategy
- Institute on Corporate Governance collaborations respecting training:
Final Proposal
- University of Toronto partnership
- Upcoming AGM of NCFNG members
I look forward to seeing you all there.
Satsan (Herb George)
President
The National Centre for First Nations Governance
Direct Line: 604-847-3725