Mohawk Council of Akwesasne hosts Chiefs of Ontario
Standing [from left to right]: Jim Mandamin, Lewis Staats, Cody Sainnawap, Darryl Sainnawap, Chief Alex Paul, Grand Chief Tim Thompson, Chuck Pawis, Elder Ernie Benedict, Chief Bill Sunday, Venissa Turner, Dianne Maracle-Nadjiwon, Douglas Sinoway, Renee Sunday Seated [from left to right]: Sherri Mandamin, Vanessa Turner, Chief Patricia Pawis, Melba Thomas, Elizabeth Altiman, Lyndia Jones, Nancy Jones
AKWESASNE, Feb. 19 – For three days the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) hosted the quarterly meeting of the Independent First Nations (IFN), an organization that represents 12 Native communities located within the boundaries of the Province of Ontario. The meeting, held on February 6-8 at the St. Regis Recreation Center, was an opportunity for Native leaders to discuss regional, provincial and national priorities concerning First Nations people throughout Ontario.
“The quarterly meeting of the Independent First Nation of Ontario gives Native leaders a chance to discuss and work together on our common issues,” said MCA Grand Chief Timothy Thompson. He added, “It provides a vehicle to facilitate these discussions and to provide a unified voice when communicating with the provincial government.”
First Nations leaders that attended were welcomed by MCA Chief William Sunday and Grand Chief Thompson and participated in day-long discussions on an assortment of issues. Issues that were discussed included provincial and federal perspectives on health, an update on political confederacy and matrimonial real property, and overview of IFN’s Youth Work Plan, education, environment, and other priorities affecting First Nation communities in Ontario.
The Independent First Nations of Ontario is comprised of Native communities that are independent and directly represent their own interests. Though its membership includes representatives from the four major provincial and territorial organizations, the Independent First Nations are not politically affiliated with The Association of Iroquois & Allied Indians, The Union of Ontario Indians, Grand Council Treaty No.3, and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. They represent First Nations communities that have retained their own language, customs and territories.
Founded in 1976, IFN works collectively on fundamental issues while respecting each other’s autonomy. To accomplish this task, the organization develops and articulates unified positions towards governments on issues concerning Native communities, jointly accesses external funding sources, and incorporates their experience as leaders for the overall benefit of First Nations people.
The Independent First Nations of Ontario includes representatives from the Chippewas of Nawash, Chippewas of Suageen, Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation, Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, Mohawk of Akwesasne, Bkejwanong Territory, Shawanaga First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Temagami First Nation, Wabaseemoong, Whitesand First Nation, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.
“The political reality is that the view of First Nations people are often not taken into consideration during the development of policy and legislation by external governments,” stated Grand Chief Thompson. He continued, “Periodic meetings of the First Nations leaders throughout Ontario permit us to set our own course of activities that promote our inherent right to self-determination as Independent First Nations.”
For further information: Brendan F. White, Mohawk Communications Group, Phone: (315) 769-5465.