Odanak Moves Elections to First Nations Act

Summary#

This Order removes the band of Odanak (Quebec) from the election rules under the Indian Act and moves its elections to the First Nations Elections Act. The change was registered on June 19, 2023 and the first election under the new law was fixed for November 25, 2023.

What it does#

• The Order Amending the Indian Bands Council Elections Order (Odanak) cancels the application of the Indian Act’s election provisions for Odanak.
• A related order adds Odanak to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act, so its Chief and Council will be chosen under that Act.
• The band council passed a resolution requesting this change on March 6, 2023.
• The first general election under the First Nations Elections Act for Odanak was set for November 25, 2023.

Who's affected#

• Members and residents of the Odanak First Nation who vote in or run for Chief and Council.
• People involved in running Odanak’s elections (the electoral officer and local election staff).
• It is limited to Odanak; the Order does not apply to other First Nations.

Why it matters#

• Elections for Odanak will follow the rules and timelines of the First Nations Elections Act rather than the Indian Act.
• That typically means longer terms in office — every four years instead of every two years — which can reduce the frequency and cost of running elections.
• The change gives the community a different set of procedures for how elections are run and how disputes are handled, which the band requested as a way to increase its control over local governance.