Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council

(AANTC)

P-001

History of the AANTC

Before AANTC creation: Technical services were offered by a division of Public Works Canada through INAC. These services were delegated to “Tribal Councils” a creation of the Federal government

AANTC was created in August 1992, with 5 member communities (Abitibiwinni, Eagle Village, Kitigan Zibi, Lac Simon, Long Point).

History (continued)

1996, AANTC started offering technical & advisory services (Engineering Technician, Architectural Technician, Construction Technician, Human Resource Advisor)

1999, Kitcisakik becomes the sixth member community

2000, at the AGA held in Lac Simon Wahgoshig becomes a political member

2001, AANTC moves to its current location

2003, add the services of an information agent & an economic development officer

2004, A Civil Engineer is hired, upgrade from Technician.

2013 economic development officer replaced with policy analyst/writer

Organizational Chart

Member Communities

Board of Directors

Director General

Executive Secretary

Secretary/Receptionist

TECHNICAL SERVICES:- Engineer- Construction Technician- Architecture Technician

Capacity Building:- Information Officer- Human Resources Advisor- Policy Analyst/Writer

Administrative Sector

6 Full Status Member Communities: Abitibiwinni, Kebaowek, Kitcisakik, Kitigan Zibi, Lac Simon, Long Point

Technical Services only provided to Timiskaming First Nation

Governed by a Board of Directors made of up administrators from the member communities (usually the Director General)

Our Services

Adapted to the needs of the communities

3 branches:

Administration:

- Management and Finance

Technical services: Capacity Building:

- Engineer - Information Officer

- Construction Tech. - Human Resources Advisor

- Architecture Tech. - Policy Analyst/Writer

Administration

Director General/Norm Odjick

Tasks:

Responsible for the overall functioning of the office, including staff related issues, budgeting, internal policies, and finance

Reports directly to the Board of Directors

Provides Management and Finance advice to the member communities

Supports the Political Sector

Represents the Algonquin Nation within external organizations, such as the Executive Council of the Quebec DG’s, the Native Benefits Plan, etc.

Technical Services

Engineer/Claude Rollin

Tasks:

Urban Planning;

Geotechnical Studies;

Water resources, potable water and treatment;

Environment, studies, impact, assessments;

Roads, bridges, ditches;

Waste management, garbage disposal. Landfill, etc.;

Project Management and construction supervision;

Sewage treatment plant, design, maintenance, etc.

Technical ServicesConstruction Technician/

Douglas Odjick

Tasks:

Performs conformance inspections for housing and community buildings;

Provides building conformance Code information;

Provides cost estimates for community projects;

Produces preliminary concept designs for residential and community buildings;

Assists in the preparation of terms of reference and the analysis of bids and proposals.

Technical Services

Architecture Technician/Rene Boulet

Tasks:

Develops execution plans for residential projects and conceptual plans for institutional and commercial projects;

Develops construction specifications and call for tender documents;

Performs site inspections and follow-ups on construction projects;

Provide cost estimates.

Capacity BuildingInformation Officer/Georges Lafontaine

Tasks:

Making sure that information is circulating between the Tribal Council and the member communities;

Gather information that could be of interest for the communities and dispense it;

Maintains the AANTC’s website;

Is in charge of the newsletter;

Makes sure that the AANTC is known by other organizations.

Capacity Building

Human Resources AdvisorKristy Whiteduck

Tasks:

Assistance in the interview process (screening of candidates, interview questionnaires, sample letters to candidates, etc.)

Statement of qualifications/Job posting;

Post interview/Appeal Process;

Human Resources Advisor can be part of your selection board;

Can help build a salary scale;

Can give information on Work Norms.

Capacity Building

Policy Writer/Analyst Lynn Whiteduck

Tasks:

Assist the member communities in the development of policies for the services under their responsibility.

Responsible for supporting policy discussion within the member communities.

Provides them with advice on all aspects of the various policies to be implemented.

ADMINISTRATION SECTOR

Base budget from INAC, Tier 2 $350,00 to cover all Administration, Capacity Building and overhead costs

Technical Services funded separately No annual indexation: Same annual budget year after year Surpluses must be spent in the program it was generated in, the

following year – no flexibility Cannot use funds for political activities or advocacy Services delivered at no cost to the communities

Funding

Political Sector

7 member communities, : Abitibiwinni, Kebaowek, Kitcisakik, Kitigan Zibi, Lac Simon, Long Point and Wahgoshig

AANTC Political Council made up of 12 members, including the Chiefs of the member communities, a Grand Chief, Vice-Grand Chief, and representatives for the Elders, Women and Youth

Report to the membership annually during the Annual Political Assembly

The Grand Chief, Vice-Grand Chief and Representatives are elected by the grassroots membership in the member communities every 4 years

Governed by the Interim Political Structure

Political SectorMembers of the Political Council

Grand Chief Verna Polson

Vice-Grand Chief Jimmy Hunter

Elders’ Representative Pierre Papatie

Women’s Representative Kathleen Jerome

Youth Representative Trishia Hazelwood

Political SectorMembers of the Political Council

Chief David Kistabish – Abitibiwinni

Chief Lance Haymond – Kebaowek

Chief Adrienne Anichinapeo – Kitcisakik

Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck – Kitigan Zibi

Chief Adrienne Jerome – Lac Simon

Acting Chief Elvis Chief – Long Point

Chief Joel Babin - Wahgoshig

POLITICAL SECTOR

Not eligible for funding from the Federal or Provincial government

Operates off of the previously accumulated administrative surplus from when there was flexibility

Annual Political Assembly is not funded either

Unable to meet the needs of the member communities or membership due to lack of funding

Increasing demands for collaboration with governments and organizations

Funding

POLITICAL SECTOR

No dedicated support staff – administrative staff must perform double duty and support both sectors

Funding will most likely be exhausted during the 2018-19 fiscal year

Political Council and Members frustrated with the inability to meet the needs of the membership

Increased demands by government with no financial support to meet those responsibilities

Challenges

POLICING

Not all communities have a local police force

Local police forces inadequately funded

Local police forces lack funding to do drug investigations, etc

Local policing not deemed an essential service

In communities without a local police force response times are too slow

Questionable conduct of outside police forces, such as the Val d’Or incidents

Challenges faced by the AAANTC Membership

JUSTICE

Over representation of First Nations members in the justice system

Justice system does not help to reform the inmates

Difficult to access good lawyers/legal advice

Need to educate the justice system members on the history/conditions of FN people

Communities would be better served by putting in place sentencing circles etc for lesser crimes

Challenges faced by the AAANTC Membership

HEALTH SERVICES

Difficult to access services in English

Dire lack of mental health resources, despite huge needs

Lack of mental health support leads to high suicide and alcohol/drug dependency rates

Lack of detoxification services

Lack of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres for youth

Difficult to access services such as dialysis

Looking ahead there is a huge need for senior/pallative care with aging population

Challenges faced by the AAANTC Membership

SOCIAL SERVICES

Social Services staff need to be educated on the realities of FN people

Need for more First Nations people delivering these services

Trust issues with the services providers

Members feel providers lack empathy and compassion – they feel judged

Challenges faced by the AAANTC Membership

YOUTH PROTECTION SERVICES

Currently strict rules result in too many children being permanently removed from their parents

With the conditions that the parents face (lack of employment, lack of mental health services, difficulty getting treatment) it is hard to changes conditions within 12 months

Need more support for parents…not punishment

Challenges faced by the AAANTC Membership