Oski-Machiitawin (New Beginning)
Background
In 2005 the NAN Chiefs began seeking a way to develop a new understanding and better relationship with the Ontario and Canadian governments. The Chiefs mandated the NAN Executive to move forward with a process that would establish this new relationship. Ontario was also expressing a desire to improve its relationship with First Nations.
A Letter of Political Agreement (LPA) between Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and Ontario was signed in April 2007 with the objective of establishing a new understanding and a better relationship between NAN First Nations and Ontario. The parties agreed to discuss issues related to NAN homelands and develop protocols, agreements and changes to government legislation and policy to resolve the issues. A 120-day Interim Measures Process was put in place to see if substantive progress could be made in the following key areas:
- Parks
- Land Use Planning
- Licences and Permits
- Mining (formerly Mineral Exploration)
The Process was originally called The Northern Table. The NAN Chiefs mandated in November 2007 by Resolution 07/83 that the name be changed to a name selected by the Elders. It is now called Oski-Machiitawin (New Beginning). It is a bilateral discussion and negotiation forum between NAN and the Province of Ontario.
Four discussion tables were originally created to address the key areas (above) in the LPA. A fifth table, called the Common Issues Table, was added in September 2007 to address the issues that were common to all four tables. Those issues are:
- Impact and benefit agreements
- Respect for First Nation moratoria
- Consultation, accommodation, and consent.
- Resource revenue sharing *
*At Keewaywin Conference in August 2008 the NAN Chiefs passed Resolution 08/61 which called for Resource Revenue Sharing (RRS) to be separated from the Oski-Matchiitawin forum so that those First Nations who are not participating in OM, namely the Matawa Chiefs Council group of communities, could join in the development and negotiations of an agreement on this matter with Ontario.
Nan Chiefs Unanimously Endorse Continuation Of Oski-Machiitawin
The 120-day Interim Measures Process of the Northern Table ended on October 12, 2007. The NAN Chiefs met in Timmins in November 2007 and unanimously passed Resolution 07/83 endorsing the continuation of Northern Table discussions with Ontario for another year.
The resolution mandated the Northern Table Chiefs’ Steering Committee (CSC) and the NAN Executive to develop a resource revenue sharing framework agreement with the province by November 15, 2008. The Chiefs’ endorsed numerous recommendations made by the CSC. A major direction from the NAN Chiefs was that the process be community driven, that there be optimum community engagement and participation, and that First Nation members be informed about the process. Resolution 07/83 also called for the name of the bilateral discussions to be changed to a name selected by the Elders and it endorsed the “principled approach” to the discussions. As per Resolution 08/61 Resource Revenue Sharing discussions and the development of an MOU are taking place in a separate forum from Oski-Machiitawin.
In November 2008 the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Chiefs passed Resolution 08/84 that supports the continuation of Oski-Machiitawin until March 31, 2010.
For the latest information visit the new Oski-Machiitawin website at www.oski-machiitawin.ca
