Transcript First Nations Information Governance Centre

Report to Leadership
The First Nations
Information Governance
Centre
Presented by:
Ceal Tournier, Chairperson
Bonnie Healy, Treasurer,
Assembly of First Nations
Special General Assembly
Gatineau, Quebec
December 16, 2010
The FNIGC Mandate
Over the past year, a mandate and support, through national and regional
resolutions have been received for the development of The First Nations
Information Governance Centre including:

Assembly of First Nations Chiefs Committee on Health (June 2009)

AFN Executive (July 2009) and

Special Chiefs in Assembly, December 2009 , Resolution No. 48/2009
passed unanimously by consensus.

Regional Resolutions of Support received from 9 Regions to date:
(Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba,Yukon, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, Ontario, NWT).
We are pleased to report that dedicated efforts have been made since
December 2009 to make the Centre a reality for First Nations.
We have opened the doors effective August 1, 2010!
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What is The First Nations Information
Governance Centre?
First Nations now have a dedicated
Centre that will serve as the home of
the First Nations Regional
Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS) and
build upon that successful process to
provide:

Credible First Nations Information

Increased Research Capacity

Training Opportunities

Data collection, analysis and
dissemination services to First
Nations at the local, regional and
national levels
Framework of the Centre
www.fnigc.ca
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The First Nations Information Governance Centre
and Regional Offices
The Centre is designed to be a network of
regionally controlled centre's supporting
national, regional, and local research.
At the centre of this network is a national
office or “hub” that supports, to the
degree necessary, the regional affiliates.
Each First Nation Region is different from
the next and the regional infrastructure is
the backbone in building capacity for
research and knowledge generation.
FNIGC and the regional offices follow a
First Nations research agenda in a
framework that ensures integrity, ethics
and a cultural values.
The development of Regional Centre's
will be determined by each Region
based on regional interests and strategic
direction
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Focus of the Centre
The First Nations Information Governance Centre will:
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Be the permanent home of the RHS
Be the premier source of First Nations information
Be devoted to First Nations
Make the most of research and information that will truly
benefit the health and well being of First Nations
Strive to partner with entities that seek to achieve success in
working with First Nations, through the use of credible
information and processes that respect First Nations jurisdiction
to own, protect and control how their information is collected,
used and disclosed
Promote and advance the First Nations Principles of OCAP
Assist in building First Nations capacity in research, information
technologies, health surveillance and data analysis
Measure improvements to First Nations health and well-being
through the RHS and specialized surveys
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Corporate Structure of the
Centre
Federally
incorporated entity
under the Canada
Corporation Act.
First Nations Regional
Organizations
- Grouped according to Region
for the purpose of appointing
Delegates
1 Delegate (appointed by each Region)
Bylaws developed
relating to the
organization and
transaction of the
business and affairs
THE FIRST NATIONS
INFORMATION
GOVERNANCE CENTRE
CENTRE DE
GOUVERNANCE DE
L’INFORMATION DES
PREMIÈRES NATIONS
- Appointment of Delegates made according to
Regional Processes
- The Delegates attend Members’ meetings (i.e.
Annual General Meeting) and exercise the vote of the
Members (grouped according to Regions)
1 Director (appointed by each Region)
- Appointed by the Region according to Regional
processes
- At each Annual General Assembly, the AFN may exercise
option to appoint up to two (2) Directors to the Board in
advisory and non-voting capacity
- Board may also appoint an Elder and/or Youth
Representative in advisory and non-voting capacity
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The FNIGC By Law General Provisions

Head Office: Mohawk Territory of
Akwesasne (Ontario)

Regions mean the following ten
territorial divisions:

Board Term of Office – Directors shall
remain in office until replaced or
removed according to bylaws

Officers include Chairperson, Co-Chair,
Secretary and Treasurer – appointed
by resolution of Board and who form
the Executive Committee

Decisions of Board shall be made as
far as possible by consensus. If all
efforts are exhausted; a positive vote
of 50 + one of the attendance of
Directors shall constitute a decision

Financial Disclosure – audited
financial statements shall be
distributed and be approved at each
Annual Meeting of Members

Provide Annual Report to Chiefs in
Assembly to reflect membership
structure and importance of First
Nations accountability
◦ New Brunswick/PEI,
◦ Nova Scotia/Newfoundland,
◦ Quebec/Labrador,
◦ Ontario,
◦ Manitoba,
◦ Saskatchewan,
◦ Alberta,
◦ British Columbia
◦ Yukon Territory
◦ Northwest Territory

Each Region shall have the right to
exercise one vote, through their
appointed Delegate

Quorum is 70% or seven Regions
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FNIGC By Law General Provisions
By laws of the Corporation may be
repealed or amended by By-law
enactment by a majority of the Directors
at a meeting of the Board and sanctioned
by an affirmative vote of at least twothirds (2/3) of the Members at a Members
meeting
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We are proud to report to the First Nations Leadership that
The First Nations Information Governance Centre opened it’s
doors on August 1, 2010 and Celebrated it’s Open House on
October 15, 2010
The FNIGC Offices are located at:
Head Office: 49 Ford Lane, Unit 1,
Akwesasne, ON
Fax: 1-613-936-8974
Ottawa Office: 170 Laurier Avenue West,
Suite 904, Ottawa, ON
Fax: 613-241-7072
Telephone: 1-613-733-1916
Toll Free: 1-866-997-6248
Board Members: L-R - Nancy Gros Louis Mc
Hugh, QC/LAB, Bonnie Healy, AB, Lori Duncan,
YKN, Tracy Antone, ON, Kathi Avery Kinew, MB
Website: FNIGC.CA
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Implementation Milestones
For the remainder of this fiscal year;
The Centre will focus on 4 major
objectives in this initial year of
Operation:
3.
Continue developing effective
partnerships with organizations to
seek mutually beneficial outcomes
with:

federal, provincial ,
territorial governments,

the public health network,
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academia,

students, and
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aboriginal organizations
4.
Develop and deliver a series of
training programs
1. Seek funding opportunities & secure
long term, operational funding
2. Establish effective communications
with First Nations at all levels to
•
promote and advance the RHS
data utilization and access,
•
promote training
opportunities,
•
support evidenced based
decision making and
•
promote First Nations
Principles of OCAP
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2010-11 Key Activities of the Centre

Start Up and Operationalize the
Centre and Head Office

Funding Proposal Development

Convene Quarterly Board
Meetings (June, October,
January, March)
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Staff the Centre (funding
permitted)
Implement Communication
Strategy to introduce the
Centre and its services
Progress Report to AFN Chiefs
in Assembly, July & December
2010

Develop and Disseminate
Promotional Materials on Centre

Coordinate National Logo Contest

Develop RHS Research Data
Centre

Develop and Launch Website

Develop and Release Training
Schedule

Host Open House

Advance promotion of RHS –
Phase 2 Data Release
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Coordinate the RHS Release
Conference – March 2011, Ottawa

Annual Evaluation and Report to
Members at Annual Meeting
A lot to accomplish in a short timeframe ….but we
hit the road running…….
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What Information is Available to First
Nations leadership?
As the Home of the RHS; First Nations will have access to a
wealth of information based on the national data which targets
many important aspects of our communities, e.g. housing, water
quality, health and wellness, children, youth and adult specific
information, demographics, migration, environmental impacts,
economic indicators, etc.
This, coupled with your RHS Regional Results, can create a
strong story that will support lobby efforts and proposal
developments.
This process can only be strengthened by continued participation
in the RHS and other potential specialized surveys and to build
the regional and national infrastructure that will support data
collection, analysis and dissemination.
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How is the Centre financially supported?
At the present time, the Centre has started operations based on the
existing RHS national funding and from funding derived from data
tabulation services.
For this final year of RHS Phase 2 funding (2010-11), an Agency
Agreement has been approved by the AFN Executive and the FNIGC
Board of Directors that outlines responsibilities and accountabilities
for the RHS funding to flow from the AFN to the Centre to meet the
deliverables under the current Health Canada funding agreement.
Funding proposals for the RHS Phase 3 and the FNIGC will be
developed to secure long term, sustainable funding for both the
FNIGC and the Regional Offices.
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Don’t be confused with all the organizations out there
proclaiming to address First Nations Health Information
& Research Issues
“He who holds the
Data,
Holds the Gold”
The FNIGC is the only First Nations mandated
information and research entity that is directly
accountable to First Nations
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We are often asked: “Why are we creating another organization when
we have others”. The answer is: the Mandate and Structure of the
FNIGC is NOT the same as these two organizations:
The National Centre for First Nations
Governance (NCFNG)
a
service and research organization offering a set of
nation re-building services to First Nations. NCFNG
The National Centre for First Nations Governance (NCFNG) is
provides a bridge between traditional and contemporary governance
models. Services are developed and delivered by experienced and
educated Aboriginal staff.
The Centre is in the unique position of applying research through its
services and learning from the work done in communities
NCFNG has a two-pronged mandate. 1. supports First Nations to
implement effective self-governance and 2. assists First Nations in
the further development of their day-to-day government operations
and supports First Nations in their efforts to develop their
jurisdictional authorities.
NCFNG is a non-profit organization. It is governed by First Nations
professionals and operates independently from the Government of
Canada and our own political organizations.
The Centre models effective First Nations governance on five
important pillars. They are:
The People | The Land | Laws and Jurisdiction | Institutions |
Resources
First Nations Statistical Institute (FNSI)
FNSI was created in 2005, as part of the federal government’s First
Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA), a Crown
Corporation, along with the First Nations Taxation Commission
(FNTC), the First Nations Financial Management Board (FNFMB)
and the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA). The four
organizations share a common objective of strengthening First
Nations real property tax regimes and creating a First Nation bond
financing regime. This work supports and promotes
First Nations economic development.
FNSI also has a broader mandate to support the data and statistical
needs of First Nations so they can better meet their own policy and
planning needs. This work will also involve increasing knowledge of
the importance of statistics in First Nations communities and to
increase their capacity to gather, analyze and apply statistics in
evidence-based decision making processes.
To accomplish the mandate, FNSI has established four key objectives:
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Engage strong partnerships;
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Support promotion of First Nations’ Economic
Development
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Develop and maintain data / information systems; and
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Continue to develop and build a strong organization.
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We have been asked….why do we use
the term “Governance” in our name?
The term governance is used to reflect the long history of the RHS
process. The RHS process changed how research is currently
conducted in First Nations communities in Canada.
The RHS is about “self determination” in the area of research
and it is First Nations themselves that will govern how its information
is collected and used by outsiders.
It means governance over ‘information” and governance over
“information management”. We collect quality data from our
First Nation communities and it is our First Nation leadership that will
use this information to showcase the realities of First Nation
communities based on sound quality data and lobby for policy changes
etc.
Simply said, we provide the data for our leadership to bring about
change for our communities.
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Introducing the FNIGC Board of Directors
Officers:
Chair: Ceal Tournier, Saskatchewan
Co-Chair: Jon Thompson, AFN
Secretary: Kathi Avery Kinew, Manitoba
Treasurer: Bonnie Healy, Alberta
Regional Chief Angus Toulouse, Ontario,
AFN
 Sarah (Sally) Johnson, NS/Newfoundland
 Peter Birney, NB/PEI
 Nancy Gros-Louis Mc Hugh, Quebec/Labrador
 Tracy Antone, Ontario
 Lori Duncan,Yukon
 Ialeen Jones, NWT
 BC - vacant

Notice: First Nations
Regions Organizations
will be required to
submit applications for
membership to The
FNIGC and appoint your
Delegate and Board of
Director representative.
A Template for this
process has been
provided to the AFN
Executive and can also be
obtained through your
First Board of Directors
Representative provided
www.fnigc.ca
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SAVE THE DATE…..MARCH 1-3, 2011
RHS National Conference: Exciting Release of the
RHS Phase 2 National Results! Information and results
will be presented in exciting new ways
Adult,Youth and Children Surveys conducted in 250 First
Nations Communities with over 80% of the target sample
achieved.
Crown Plaza Hotel
(Soon the Delta Ottawa)
Ottawa, Ontario
Results from the new RHS First Nations Community
Survey!
Examine Changes in First Nations Communities since RHS
Phase 1 (2002-03)
Entertainment /Events to be announced that will feature
First Nations celebrities and top entertainment that is
sure to please everyone…… Come and Join Us!
Information will soon be available on Agenda, Speakers, Workshops, Presenters, Info
& Craft Booths, Adult,Youth & Elder Forums, Sponsorships.
Follow developments on: www.fnigc.ca
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In Closing……
Thank you for all the support provided to
The First Nations Information
Governance Centre
YOUR Information Governance Centre
We are here to support the leadership at
the local, regional and national levels.
Information and research based on a First
Nations Agenda can make a difference
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