Musk-kosiminiziibing Opts into First Nations Elections Act

Summary#

This is the Order Amending the Indian Bands Council Elections Order (Musk-kosiminiziibing). It removes the First Nation now called Musk-kosiminiziibing from the Indian Act election rules and lets the community hold elections under the First Nations Elections Act instead. The order was registered on October 7, 2026 and the first election under the new Act is set for January 22, 2027.

What it does#

• Repeals a listing in the Indian Bands Council Elections Order so that the Indian Act’s election rules no longer apply to Musk-kosiminiziibing.
• Enables the addition of Musk-kosiminiziibing to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act, so the band’s Chief and councillors will be elected under that Act.
• Confirms the date of the first election under the First Nations Elections Act as January 22, 2027.
• Notes the band changed its name from Big Grassy Band on July 15, 2025 and the council formally asked to opt into the new election law on August 19, 2026.
• The order comes into force on the day it was registered (October 7, 2026).

Who's affected#

• Members and residents of Musk-kosiminiziibing — this change affects how their Chief and council are chosen.
• Local people who run and staff elections for the band (for example, the electoral officer appointed by the First Nation).
• Indigenous Services Canada, which processes the administrative steps to remove or add a First Nation from the relevant federal election orders.
• Community partners, contractors, or potential investors who prefer the stability of longer council terms (see below).

This change is specific to Musk-kosiminiziibing and does not apply to other First Nations.

Why it matters#

• Elections under the First Nations Elections Act are held every four years instead of every two years, which can reduce the frequency and cost of running elections and give councils more time to plan and complete projects.
• Moving off the Indian Act’s election rules is described as giving the community more control over its governance and supporting self-determination.
• The First Nations Elections Act sets out rules for contesting elections and includes offences that can be enforced by local law enforcement and prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada — that may affect how election disputes are handled.
• The change was requested by the band’s council and follows local engagement with community members; it therefore reflects a decision made by that community rather than a federal initiative affecting multiple bands.