Two First Nations Added to Anishinabek Act

Summary#

The Order Amending the Schedule to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Act (SOR/2024-268) adds two First Nations to the list of those covered by the federal law that gives effect to the Anishinabek Nation self-government agreement. The change takes effect on April 1, 2025.

What it does#

• Adds Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation and Sheshegwaning First Nation to the schedule of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Act so they are formally listed as parties under the Act.
• Brings the Act into line with the amended Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, which the two First Nations joined after local approval processes.
• Notes key community steps and dates:
  • Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation signed its approval on March 27, 2024.
  • Sheshegwaning First Nation signed its approval on April 22, 2024.
  • B’Maakonigan (Anishinabek Nation Government) recommended both on April 30, 2024.
  • The Order was registered on December 16, 2024 and comes into force on April 1, 2025.
• As outlined in the underlying Governance Agreement, becoming a party means those First Nations can make certain local laws and decisions about governance, membership and elections instead of following parts of the Indian Act.

Who's affected#

• Directly: members and local governments of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation and Sheshegwaning First Nation.
• Also affected: the Anishinabek Nation and its government B’Maakonigan, and federal officials who work on Indigenous self-government.
• Indirectly: people and organizations that deal with those First Nations on governance, service delivery or legal matters. If it is unclear how specific services or programs will change, the Governance Agreement and each First Nation will guide details.

Why it matters#

• It expands self-government: these two communities will operate under the Anishinabek Nation’s self-government framework rather than some of the Indian Act’s governance rules. That can change who runs elections, who is counted as a citizen, and how local laws are made.
• It shows incremental progress in nation-to-nation agreements and Canada’s work on Indigenous self-determination for communities that choose to opt in.
• For residents and nearby service providers, it could mean changes in local decision-making and administrative arrangements that will be worked out through the Governance Agreement and the involved governments.