Washagamis Bay moves to First Nations Elections Act

Summary#

This Order removes Washagamis Bay from the list of First Nations whose chiefs and councillors are chosen under the Indian Act election rules. It paves the way for the community to hold its elections under the First Nations Elections Act instead; the change was registered on February 26, 2025 and published in the Canada Gazette on March 12, 2025.

What it does#

• Repeals Item 61 of Part V of Schedule I to the Indian Bands Council Elections Order, so the election rules in the Indian Act no longer apply to Washagamis Bay.
• Together with a companion order (noted in the same Gazette notice), this allows Washagamis Bay to be added to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act and fixes the first election date under that Act at August 18, 2025.
• The Order takes effect on the day it was registered: February 26, 2025.

Who's affected#

• Members and residents of Washagamis Bay First Nation — voters, candidates, and people involved in local governance.
• People and organizations that run or support elections in the community, including the local electoral officer.
• Indigenous Services Canada as the federal department that processed the change.

This change applies only to Washagamis Bay and follows a council resolution from the community requesting the switch.

Why it matters#

• The change shifts Washagamis Bay’s election system from the federal Indian Act framework to the First Nations Elections Act, which many communities say gives them more control over how local leaders are chosen.
• Under the First Nations Elections Act communities typically hold general elections every four years instead of every two years, which can reduce election costs and let elected councils plan and carry out longer-term projects.
• The move may affect how electoral disputes are handled (court processes are available under the First Nations Elections Act) and brings the community’s election rules in line with what it requested in its council resolution of January 13, 2025.