Nishnawbe Aski Nation


Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political organization representing 51 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 Ojibwemowin, Oji-cree and Cree. NAN's administrative offices are located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The current Grand Chief is Alvin Fiddler.
WWW nan.on.caIG nishnawbe_askination

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
  • Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum
  • Deputy Grand Chief Bobby Narcisse
  • Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin

Demographics and geography

Nishnawbe Aski Nation represents 51 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, covers 2/3 of the province of Ontario. The land area is around 544,000 square km, which is around the same size as Yemen.
The population of membership estimated around 45,000 people.

Affiliated First Nations

The 51 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. Three of the 51 communities are not affiliated with a specific Tribal Council.