Nishnawbe Aski Nation


Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political organization representing 49 First Nation communities across Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 areas of Northern Ontario, Canada. Re-organized to its present form in 1981, NAN's original objective was "to represent the social and economic aspirations of our people at all levels of government in Canada and Ontario until such time as real effective action is taken to remedy our problems."
Its member-First Nations are Ojibwa, Oji-Cree and Cree, and thus the languages within NAN include Ojibwe, Oji-cree and Cree. NAN's administrative offices are located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The current Grand Chief is Alvin Fiddler of Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation.

History

Founded as Grand Council of Treaty 9 in February, 1973, after a large anticipated deficit resulting from the anti-Reed Campaign and the Hart Commission of 1978, members of the Grand Council Treaty 9 re-organized in 1981 to become the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. After the first executive council of NAN was elected in March 1984, Grand Council Treaty No. 9 ceased to exist.

Current Leadership

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler - Portfolio - Administration, Infrastructure and Housing, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, Governance
Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum - Portfolio - Social Services, Women and Youth, Justice, Community Wellness Initiatives
Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox - Portfolio - Health Policy and Advocacy, Environment, Energy, Education, Languages
Deputy Grand Chief Jason Smallboy - Portfolio - Economic Development, Sports and Recreation, Forestry

Demographics and Geography

Nishnawbe Aski Nation represents 49 First Nation communities within northern Ontario. The total land-mass under James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario’s portion of Treaty No. 5, which is covered by Nishnawbe Aski Nation, covering 2/3 of the province of Ontario. The land area is around 210,000 square miles, 544,000 square km, which is around the same size as Yemen.
The population of membership estimated around 45,000 people.

Departments

The 49 communities are grouped by Tribal Council according to region. They are Windigo First Nations Council, Wabun Tribal Council, Shibogama First Nations Council, Mushkegowuk Council, Matawa First Nations, Keewaytinook Okimakanak, and Independent First Nations Alliance. Six of the 49 communities are not affiliated with a specific Tribal Council.