Welcome

Time for Change David Neegan for Grand Chief

What has changed for First Nations within Nishnawbe-Aski Nation for the past 25 years? The unemployment rate and social issues have been the consistent. Few communities have increased their standard of living and are still lagging behind mainstream Canada. Lack of financial resources for housing, education and infrastructure are still outstanding issues. Little momentum has been made with comprehensive and specific land claims. The demographics has shifted to a much younger booming population yet communities have little to offer in terms of economic opportunities and development. Lastly, we as a people are no closer to self-government. The course of action for the federal and provincial governments is to have a “municipal” style government.

The one sector that has changed and grown is the off-reserve service sector of Nishnawbe-Aki Nation. Organizations such as Nishnawbe-Aski Nation’s financial resources have grown immensely. The additional revenue from the off-reserve service sector has been invested in towns and cities across Northern Ontario. The original mandate of NAN was to advocate for First Nations. The focus has shifted to the industry that it has created. Furthermore NAN has sponsored the creation of organizations that have taken funding directly from the communities. Programs such as the band administration program which train administrator to be fiscally responsible has disappeared.

Community First - Moving NAN

If elected Grand Chief, I will place the focus on the needs of the communities. Every dollar spent will have to show how it benefits the people of NAN. Furthermore to better service the needs of the NAN communities, I will ask the Chiefs to support a motion to move NAN to a NAN First Nation. A selection process will be created to locate a potential location. Each interested community will be asked to submit a proposal. Terms will be defined by the people of NAN..

We as a people of NAN are smart,capable people who survived years of hardships. Now is the time to take control of our destiny.