Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation election change

Summary#

The Order Amending the Indian Bands Council Elections Order (Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation) (SOR/2024-192) removes the Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation from the list of communities whose band councils are elected under the Indian Act. It was registered on September 23, 2024, which is when it came into force. The community has requested to hold elections under the First Nations Elections Act instead, with the first election under that Act scheduled for July 22, 2025.

What it does#

• Repeals the entry for the Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation in the federal list that makes a community follow the Indian Act election rules.
• Confirms the community will instead use the First Nations Elections Act and its rules for choosing Chief and councillors.
• The change took effect when the order was registered on September 23, 2024.
• The community set the first election under the First Nations Elections Act for July 22, 2025 (this date is fixed by a related order).

Who's affected#

• Members, voters, and candidates of the Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation are the main people affected.
• Local election officers, band administrators and anyone involved in running or planning elections for that community will notice the change.
• This order is limited to the Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation; it does not change election rules for other First Nations.

Why it matters#

• The community moves from a system under the Indian Act to one under the First Nations Elections Act, which gives different, community-focused election rules and procedures.
• Elections under the new Act are held every four years instead of every two years, which the government says can lower election costs and give leaders more time to plan and deliver longer-term projects.
• The change is meant to increase local control over governance and to support community priorities around inclusion and self-determination.
• Election disputes and enforcement under the new Act follow its own processes, including possible court review and penalties for election offences.