RATIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED ANISHINABEK NATION EDUCATION AGREEMENT
The negotiations of the Anishinabek Education Agreement is now complete and moving forward to the stage of Ratification.
Ratification is one of the most important steps in the process of Canada recognizing the Anishinabek Nation member First Nations’ jurisdiction over education.
The Anishinabek Nation and Canada have negotiated a ratification process for the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement (ANEA). Canada has agreed to pay for the costs of ratification.
Thirty-nine (39) member First Nations in the Anishinabek Territory are eligible to ratify the Education Agreement. The Anishinabek Territory stretches throughout the province of Ontario from Ottawa in the east, to Sarnia in the south, and to Lake Nipigon and Thunder Bay in the north.
There are approximately 37,000 eligible voters that can participate in the ratification of the Education Agreement.
To ensure that each eligible voter is provided with the opportunity to vote, a ratification communications campaign will include the following objectives:
Ratification Communications Campaign
A Ratification Communication Campaign will start from November 2015 to November 2016 to secure informed voter consent.
Informed voter consent requires that each eligible voter is provided with sufficient information on the education agreement so he or she can understand the negotiated arrangements and the implications of approving those arrangements.
Everyone will be encouraged to understand the Proposed Education Agreement by reading available information. To become knowledgeable, members will need to raise issues, ask questions, and discuss the issues with family, friends, elders, leaders, and eligible voters.
Every Eligible Voter:
Overseeing the Ratification Vote
The Ratification Committee oversees the ratification vote process together with the Ratification Vote Manager and Deputy Ratification Vote Manager.
In September 2015, the Ratification Committee was established, and is comprised of four (4) individuals appointed by the Union of Ontario Indians and Canada:Union of Ontario Indians – Rhonda Couchie and Fred Bellefeuille
Ratification Process
All Anishinabek Citizens! Get involved, join the discussion!
Get prepared to cast your vote on the proposed Anishinabek Education System – November 28, 2016 to December 2, 2016!