NOTICE – ADOPTING NEW ELECTION RULES

Sagamok Chief & Council are planning on moving from the old Indian Act elections process to the First Nations Elections Act (“FNEA”). Updated election rules will improve our governance and stabilize our leadership over a longer period of time providing enhanced capacity to address the needs of our community. Longer-term projects, not previously possible under the Indian Act two year term, will now become a reality for an elected Council to oversee. For Sagamok to move from the Indian Act to the FNEA, our Council will have to pass a Band Council Resolution and become listed on the FNEA schedule listing all First Nations who have opted in.

At a high-level, there are several key differences between the Indian Act and the FNEA. Under the FNEA:

- There is a four-year term for Chief and Council (rather than a two-year term as under the Indian Act).

- A member cannot be a candidate for both Chief and Councillor in the same election.

- A member must consent to being a candidate before their name is put on a ballot.

- Only members of the First Nation can run for and be selected as Chief. Under the Indian Act, a candidate for Chief does not have to be a Band member.

Several important elements also remain the same such as:

- The size of the council is the same, but the First Nation can opt to reduce the size of the council by two.

- The powers of the council are the same.

Previous Sagamok Councils have tried without success to make the change to a new process and these past experiences highlight the need to ensure that any new effort is completed in a timely fashion. Therefore, we are implementing a plan that will ensure success in the goal to update our election rules and procedures for use in the August 2024 elections.This approach is intended to be an interim step towards allowing Sagamok to develop a new Sagamok Election Code, in accordance with developing a Sagamok Constitution. The work relating Page 2 of 2to a Sagamok Anishnawbek Constitution will take a few years. The intention of the work on the Constitution is to have a law that describes the governance/government structure of the Sagamok Anishnawbek. The developmental process will start with discussions in the near future with Sagamok Elders and Knowledge Keepers about their understanding of Anishinabe governance customs and practices. Such process is anticipated to require a few years to get it done and get it right. This future process will require community member input and approval.

Community education and awareness about the process is important, so there will be open and transparent information and meetings regarding this work. The process of information sharing will include information distribution on Treaty Day, June 29th and community meetings in July and August. More information about the community meetings will be made available soon. Your participation is a right and your voice is very important.

For more information, please contact McKenzie Toulouse at: mckenzie_toulouse@Sagamok.ca

‍