Talks are underway between the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation and federal government about the idea of dismantling of Indian Affairs in the NAN territory.
An offer was made by Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin in December for NAN to look at the recent dismantling agreement between Manitoba Chiefs and the federal government.
“We want to explore the pros and cons of dismantling Indian Affairs before we make a decision either way,” said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Stan Louttit. “There are many questions that need to be answered and that’s what the meeting will be about, exploring the offer.” Added Louttit, “We are looking at the offer and we want to bring it back to the Chiefs and people first. It’ll be up to the people of NAN who will decide to go ahead or not with the dismantling.” Indian Affairs is seen by many people as a bureaucracy which continues to severely limit what Indian people can do to control their own affairs. The dismantling of that department could be a concrete step towards self-government. NAN and Indian Affairs will continue discussions into June, when NAN Chiefs will look into the issue and take it back to their people.
Unlike in Manitoba, where the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs were offered a dismantling plan, NAN was the only political organization in Ontario to be approached with the offer. Louttit believes that only NAN was approached because it is the only organization with an agreement—called a Memorandum of Understanding—with the federal and provincial governments to work toward Native self-government. The Memorandum was signed in 1986.
Over the years the Memorandum has laid foundations for agreements on child welfare, policing, lands and resources within NAN.
