Anishinabek Governance Act Comes into Force

Summary#

This Order fixes October 1, 2022 as the day when Part 1 (except section 6) of An Act to give effect to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, to amend the Sechelt Indian Band Self‑Government Act and the Yukon First Nations Self‑Government Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts comes into force. Section 6 had already come into force on assent (June 23, 2022).

What it does#

• Sets October 1, 2022 as the coming‑into‑force date for Part 1 of the Act, other than section 6.
• Confirms that section 6 came into force earlier on assent (June 23, 2022).
• Gives legal effect to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, which creates two levels of Anishinabek self‑government: a central Anishinabek Nation government and local governments for five signatory First Nations.
• The Governance Agreement (and the Act that implements it) provides law‑making authority in core governance areas such as leadership selection, citizenship, language and culture, and the management and operations of government.

Who's affected#

• The primary parties affected are the Anishinabek Nation and the five signatory First Nations: Nipissing, Magnetawan, Moose Deer Point, Wahnapitae, and Zhiibaahaasing.
• The federal department involved is Crown‑Indigenous Relations.
• Others affected could include people who live in those First Nations and anyone dealing with their governments, because the change allows those governments to make laws in certain areas. If it is unclear who else might be affected, the source does not specify further groups.

Why it matters#

• This order is the administrative step that starts the practical operation of Part 1 of the Act on October 1, 2022, so the Anishinabek Nation and the five First Nations can move away from the Indian Act framework in the listed governance areas.
• In real life, that can mean those communities will have authority to set rules about leadership, membership (citizenship), language and cultural matters, and how their governments run.
• The order says there are no financial implications from fixing this date.