Feb. 05, 2021 - Good News!  Phase 1 of Addition to Reserve Approved

  

Gimaa Kwe Johanna Desmoulin and the members of the Netmizaagamig Nishnaabeg Council are very pleased to advise that Phase 1 of the addition to our reserve lands was completed on January 21, 2021.  This means that a block of land comprise of approximately 1,000 hectares, including the pow wow grounds and the property for the proposed highway commercial development, have been added to the Pic Mobert reserve.

 

Council has completed an initial land use plan for this area and several years ago implemented an interim land code that sets out the process for any future development on these lands.  Planning is continuing for the next subdivision that will be in the vicinity of the new reserve.

 

A full report and release issued jointly with Canada and Ontario will be released within the next month.

 

This news is the culmination of over 30 years of effort to access land to support urgent development needs and opportunities in our community.

Gimaa Kwe Johanna Desmoulin said “This is an important milestone for the restoration of our unceded traditional lands and for the growth and development of our community”.  “We honour the patience and support of our citizens and the many people on our team, and from Ontario and Canada, who have worked at this over the past 30 years or so, and remember our past Chief, the late James Kwissiwa, who signed the original framework agreement that put this in motion.”

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Feb. 05, 2021 - NOTICE OF PROPOSED BAND CUSTOM ELECTION CODE

 

Please be advised the Council of the Netimizaagamig Nishnaabeg intends to put forward a Band Custom Election Code (Law) for the consideration of our membership.

 

The proposed Band Custom Election Code is the next step in the evolution of our nation building process.

 

Our First Nation currently holds Council elections under the First Nations Elections Act (FNEA) and associated regulations, which continue to be ultimately overseen by Canada.

 

At this time, the Council proposes to introduce a Band Custom Election Code that has essentially the same content as the First Nations Elections Act except for the term of the Council.  This will ensure that our First Nation is following the process that the membership accepted during consultations held prior to the Council  opting out of the Indian Act election process and into the FNEA.  Our membership may recall that a major reason for this change was to move away from the 2 year term of Councils that had caused disruption and instability for so many years.

 

Under the FNEA, the term of the Council is four years.  Based on the experience of the Council of the current term, and feedback provide to members of Council on this length of term, the Council is proposing that the term of Council be reduced to 3 years.

 

The first draft of the proposed Band Custom Election Code will be read at a Council meeting scheduled for February 22, 2021, after which it will be released to our membership for comments and questions.

 

It is the intention of the Council to hold a ratification vote on the proposed Band Custom Election Code in April, 2021 (date to be confirmed).  This means that the next Council election, that will be held on/about July 24, 2021, will be held under the terms of the new Band Custom Election Code.

 

Further information will following in the near future.

 

In the meantime, enquiries and comments can be forwarded to the following email address:

 

elections@picmobert.ca

 

Miigwetch

 

Gimaa Kwe and Council

Netmizaagamig Nishnaabeg