Indigenous Laws & Governing Bodies
Our Statement
An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (Bill C-92) came into force in its entirety on January 1, 2020. This legislation was co-developed with Indigenous partners with the goal of keeping Indigenous children and youth connected to their families, communities, and culture.
It affirms the inherent right of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to move forward with legislation to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services at a pace that they choose.
In the spirit of reconciliation, the General Child and Family Services Authority (GA) and its Board of Directors fully support all Indigenous Governing Bodies drawing down jurisdiction of child and family services for their members in the coming years.
We would like to acknowledge and congratulate Peguis First Nation on the historic precedent of the enactment of their Honouring our Children, Families and Nation Act on Jan. 21, 2022. This law recognizes the right of Peguis First Nation to care for its children and families through their Indigenous legal traditions, customs and governance. Peguis Child and Family Services is the first agency in Manitoba to deliver child and family services to their community members under Indigenous law.
Links to Legislation
An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families Receives Royal Assent
Peguis First Nation Honouring Our Children, Families and Nation Act
https://irp.cdn-website.com/8a5c0cb0/files/uploaded/2021-11-16%20%20-%20PFN%20HOCFNA%20%283%29.pdf
Current List of Declared Indigenous Governing Bodies
One of the primary purposes of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families is to affirm the inherent right of self-government by enabling an Indigenous group, community or people to pass their own legislation for the delivery of child and family services to their community members. Sections 20 through 24 set out the process for this to occur. The legislation requires that an Indigenous Governing Body (IGB) provide notice of the Indigenous group, community or people’s intent to exercise this legislative authority. Any law of an Indigenous group, community or people that comes into force will have the force of federal law. This means that the law will prevail over provincial legislation.
The law of an Indigenous group, community or people can only come into force if an IGB has entered into a tripartite coordination agreement with both the federal and provincial governments or has not entered into such an agreement after making reasonable efforts to do so over a twelve month period.
NOTE: If you would like to send IGB contact information to the General Authority, please submit to: generalauthority@gov.mb.ca.
Current List of declared Indigenous Governing Bodies that require Notice of significant measure under Section 12 (1) of the Act Respecting Indigenous, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families.
| Province/Territory | IGB | Indigenous Community(ies) Represented by IGB |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Lhtako Dene Nation | Lhtako Dene Nation |
| Manitoba | Southern First Nations Network of Care | Bloodvein First Nation |
| Manitoba | Bunibonibee Cree Nation | Keewatin Tribal Council |
| Manitoba | Gambler First Nation | Gambler First Nation |
| Manitoba | Fisher River Cree Nation | Fisher River Cree Nation |
| Manitoba | God's Lake First Nation (Mantou Sakahigan) | Keewatin Tribal Council |
| Manitoba | Manto Sipi Cree Nation | Keewatin Tribal Council |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Metis Federation | Red River Métis |
| Manitoba | Tataskweyak Cree Nation | Tataskweyak Cree Nation |
| Manitoba | War Lake First Nation | Keewatin Tribal Council |
| Manitoba | York Factory First Nation | Keewatin Tribal Council |
| Manitoba | Keewatin Tribal Council | Manto Sipi Cree Nation |
| Manitoba | Sioux Valley Dakota Nation | Sioux Valley Dakota Nation |
| Manitoba | Island Lake First Nations/ Island Lake Anishininew Nation | Garden Hill First Nation |
| Manitoba | Island Lake First Nation/Lake Anishininew Nation | Red Sucker Lake First Nation |
| Manitoba | Island Lake First Nation/Lake Anishininew Nation | St. Theresa Point First Nation |
| Manitoba | Island Lake First Nation/Lake Anishininew Nation | Wasagamack First Nation |
| Manitoba | Long Plain First Nation | Long Plain First Nation |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Metis Federation | Manitoba Metis Community |
| Manitoba | Shamattawa First Nation | Shamattawa First Nation |
| Manitoba | Norway House Cree Nation Chief and Council | Norway House Cree Nation |
| Manitoba | Opaskwayak Cree Nation | Opaskwayak Cree Nation |
| Manitoba | Peguis First Nation | Peguis First Nation |
| Manitoba | Pinaymootang First Nation (Treaty 2) | Pinaymootang First Nation |
| Manitoba | Sagkeeng First Nation Chief and Council | Sagkeeng First Nation |
| Manitoba | Waywayseecappo First Nation | Waywayseecappo First Nation |
| Ontario | Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek First Nation (Grassy Narrows First Nation) | Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek First Nation (Grassy Narrows First Nation) |
| Ontario | Biigtigong Nishhaabeg | Biigtigong Nishnaabeg |
| Ontario | Iskatewizaagegan NO. 39 Independent First Nation | Iskatewizaagegan NO. 39 Independent First Nation |
| Ontario | Lac Seul First Nation | Lac Seul First Nation |
| Ontario | Shoal Lake Band No. 40 | Shoal Lake Band No. 40 |
| Ontario | Wabaseemoong Independent Nations | Wabaseemoong Independent Nations |
| Ontario | Mohawk Council of Akwesasne | Mohawk Council of Akwesasne |
| Ontario | Long Lake #58 First Nation | Long Lake #58 First Nation |
| Ontario | Northwest Angle # 33 | Northwest Angle # 33 |
| Ontario | Moose Cree First Nation | Moose Cree First Nation |
| Ontario | Wabauskang First Nation Band Representative Program | Wabauskang First Nation |
| Saskatchewan | Cowessess First Nation | Cowessess |
| Saskatchewan | George Gordon First Nation | George Gordon First Nation |
| Saskatchewan | The Key First Nation | The Key First Nation |
| Saskatchewan | Ochapowace First Nation | Ochapowace First Nation |