Henvey Inlet First Nation Land Code Committee

November 23, 2006 Meeting Minutes 

Combined Community Meeting

Meeting Commenced: 6:00 pm
Adjourned: 8:10 pm

Attendance:

Staff:
Ken Noble, Consultant
Jennifer Ashawasegai, Land Code Coordinator
Terry Bennett, Communications Assistant

Ken Noble re-iterated the importance of the work on the draft land codes and progress. Also, the importance of keeping both on and off-reserve members informed of the process. He requested information on draft land codes be made available to off-reserve members.

Ken addressed some of the legal aspects, and will be speaking with Band lawyer Bill Taggart. Ken will also be working on some wording on specific clauses and is to report on it at a later meeting.  

Terry reported that water boundaries and natural resources will have their findings in the spring.

Jennifer began reviewing codes with committee. Morris asked how laws are to be enforced after land code ratification. And that there needs to be community input into law-making.

Ken asked present Councillors how the current process works. Councillor Ed Panamick Sr. responded that its discussed at the Chief and Council level, who then pass a Band Council Resolution.

Review of Land Codes. Committee discussion around voting procedures and eligible voters. Ken mentioned we can invite a verifier to a meeting to discuss different processes.

Meeting adjourned.

Next meeting: December 12, 2006

Former Land Code Committee

	Carrie Lynn Bennett Hello everyone:  My name is Carrie Lynn Bennett, but everyone calls me Dee. I have filled my life with laughter and have a great sense of humor.  I have five beautiful children, who also live here in Henvey Inlet. I believe in the development of the land codes.  I feel perhaps it’s been far too long that we haven’t had guidelines for the usage of our First Nation land.  As we go through this process I am learning new views in developing these guidelines. Through visiting with other community members I have listened to their positions on topics and my fellow members help me contribute to the Lands management.  I look forward to seeing how it all comes together.
	Elwood Ashawasegai Jr Joined the committee June 2007.
	Eleanor Moses Born and raised in Pickerel. Employed for Henvey Inlet First Nation for over 25 years. Mother of two children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Enjoy working for my community and looking forward to seeing progress in our community for the future.
	Genevieve Solomon-Dubois Aanii. Genevieve Solomon Dubois ndi-zhinikaaz. Mkwa ndodem.  Although I was raised was as an Anishnaabe-Kwe, Indian Affairs didn’t find that out until the 1980′s.  That’s when they added me to the list.  I chose to become a member of HIFN, since it’s where my father’s family belonged many years ago. I am the mother of four awesome children, a part-time student at Laurentian University and a full-time employee at Sudbury’s Native Child and Family Centre. A few years ago, I had the honour of working in Henvey.  It was a wonderful experience and allowed me to get to know community members, re-connect with long lost relatives and give back to my First Nation.  I currently sit on the Land Code Committee.  I know I will learn a lot, and hope to contribute something worthwhile.  Please remember Band Members are welcome to join us at anytime.  Chii miigwetch.
	Kim McQuabbie Ahneen sago hello My name is Kim McQuabbie, member of Henvey Inlet/ F.R. # 13.  A mother of 2 wonderful children in which we all reside here on Henvey. A Well Respected and loved man once Told me I would be leaving home, but would return with a gift for my People I carry that “Drum” with Pride, Dignity, and Honor. Learning on who I am as Anishnawbe and where our roots are is the greatest teaching.  It’s an experience with my partner, my children, and my community. Why I am on the lands committee? For the future of my children, our communities’ children.  We need to look ahead to preserve this land, our land for the many generations yet to follow. All my relations
	Brenda Contin Joined the committee September 2007.
	Morris Ashawasagai What I see from being a part of this project is productive change in the way we take care of our land.  I would like to see change for the betterment of our community and for our future children.  If I can be part of positive change I’ll do my best to make positive and productive progress.
	Judy Contin Former committee member now ex-officio committee member replaced Terry Bennett as Communications Assistant June 2008.

Instructions:

The Land Code Committee has been meeting since September 2006 to develop a draft set of Land Codes for review by Chief and Council, the Community and an independent Verifier.  A community consultation process will then occur.  If all of the noted stakeholders are satisfied with the content of the Draft Land Code the community will vote on whether to adopt a community driven Land Code Process or remain under the management of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.  

The meeting minutes are stored on the right.  You can read the minutes and/or Print or Save a copy for your records.  Look for the “Printer Friendly”  link on the top right hand side of each page.

Check out the mug shots of the Land Code Committee Members.

More information about this process and the background on the First Nation Lands Management Act can also be found on this site.

Introduction to the Developmental Phase from 2006 – 2009

Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management

The Henvey Inlet First Nation (HIFN) Land Code Committee started the process of implementing a Land Code for the community as one of the steps in transferring land management authority from Indian and Northern Affairs to the Band under the Framework Agreement as ratified by the First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA).  The process formally began in 2006 when Henvey and the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre signed a Community Action Plan agreement on April 1st, 2006.

The Framework Agreement provides guidelines First Nations are required to follow to complete the land code process such as outlined below:

Drafting a Land Code:

• Identifying the First Nations Land to be managed by HIFN.

• Sets out general rules and procedures for the use and occupation of lands.

• Provides the procedures for making and publishing new First Nation Land Laws.

• Provides financial accountability for revenues from the land (excluding oil and gas revenues, which stay under federal law).

• Provides a community process to develop rules and procedures for Matrimonial and Real Property Laws and Estate Laws, and other Lands related matters.

• Identifies a dispute resolution process.

• Allows the delegation of land management responsibilities.

Environmental Assessment:

• To ensure all HIFN Lands are clean of contaminants before transfer.

• If contaminants are found in this first phase of the Environmental Assessment, it is the Minister’s responsibility to have the sites cleaned up.

Individual Agreement:

 An Individual Agreement between Henvey Inlet First Nation and the Minister will be negotiated to deal with the following matters;

• The reserve lands to be managed by HIFN, reserve lands which are described in the legal land descriptions to be completed by Natural Resources Canada.

• The specifics of the transfer of the administration from Canada to HIFN.

• The developmental and operational funding to be provided by Canada to HIFN for land management.

Community Ratification Process

• HIFN members 18 years and older vote to ratify the Land Code and Individual Agreement before HIFN can assume control over its lands.  The community ratification process has a provision for the role of a Verifier to   oversee the voting process.

Verification

• An independent person (Verifier) has been selected by HIFN and Canada to confirm the Community Ratification Process and Land Code are consistent with the Framework Agreement.

• The verifier monitors the community ratification process to ensure regulations are followed.

Transfer of Land Management:

• If HIFN does ratify the Land Code and Individual Agreement, management control over FN land and resources is transferred from Indian Act control to HIFN.  The transfer of management authorities does not alter the title of Reserve lands.  It remains registered in the Band’s name in the Land Registry nor does it cause or cure land title issues that must be settled via the Land Claims process.

Where is HIFN in this process?

Since September 2006, the Land Code committee went through three readings of a Draft Land Code. The committee of seven (previously 9) HIFN members drafted and edited the Land Code to suit HIFN.  The final draft Land Code was ready for Band Members to examine in 2009. Community consultation was ongoing throughout the process.      

HIFN also completed an Environmental Assessment.  The documents are available for viewing at the Land Code Office. The first phase identified the location of environmental contaminants such as derelict vehicles or environmental toxins from a dump site. The second phase will correct or remove identified contaminants or environmental hazards.

Contact:  Land Code Office:  (705) 857-1727 / 1729 or Toll free:  1 (877) 257 – 1727

Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management

Under Construction!!
CLICK HERE for the “Introduction to the Development Phase 2006-2009“)

The Operational Phase under the First Nations Land Management Act began in January 2010.
Watch for new postings to include Members of the Lands Advisory Committee, Meeting Minutes and new information as it emerges.

Here are the headlines from July 9, 2003 – Turtle Island Native Network
TAKING CONTROL OF RESERVE LANDS !
Choices for First Nations Regarding Land Management Issues

Indian Act vs. First Nations Land Management Act
A step toward self-government.
No more Indian Act control over management of lands.

Henvey Inlet’s Land Code passed in the December 7, 2009 vote.

Here are the results:
Yes = 186
No = 24