Aamjiwnaang takes control of its elections after nearly 75 years under Indian Act

Aamjiwnaang First Nation opens nominations Friday for its first election under community law. The vote ends nearly 75 years of Indian Act election rules imposed by Ottawa.

For nearly 75 years, federal Indian Act rules governed how Aamjiwnaang First Nation members selected their chief and council.

That changes with the community’s 2026 election.

Nominations open Friday for Aamjiwnaang’s first election under its own law, shifting authority over election rules, candidate conduct and appeals from Ottawa to the First Nation.

The nomination meeting runs from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Maawn Doosh Gumig Community Centre. Members will elect one chief and nine councillors Oct. 16.

The change ends an election regime imposed by a federal order on Nov. 12, 1951.

The order identified the community by its former colonial name, the Chippewas of Sarnia Band. The First Nation formally changed its name to Aamjiwnaang in 1999, but remained under the Indian Act election system until this year.

Aamjiwnaang members approved the Inaakonigewin – Dawaabmang’waa Niigaanzijig, the community’s law for selecting leaders, in a Jan. 23 ratification vote.

Of 128 ballots cast, 100 supported the law, 26 opposed it and two ballots were rejected.

Council passed a resolution March 23 asking the federal government to remove Aamjiwnaang from the Indian Act election system. Ottawa signed the necessary order in May, formally ending the old arrangement May 28.

The federal order published in the Canada Gazette establishes Oct. 16 as the first election under Aamjiwnaang’s law.

Under Section 74 of the Indian Act, the federal minister had the power to place a First Nation under the act’s election rules when the minister considered it advisable for the First Nation’s “good government.”

The federal government administered that system, interpreted its election rules and received appeals.

Ottawa will no longer conduct or validate Aamjiwnaang elections, interpret the community’s election law or decide election appeals. Aamjiwnaang is now responsible for its electoral process and resolving disputes under its own law, with court review remaining available.

The new law extends council terms from two years to three.

Members will continue to elect one chief and nine councillors. The councillor receiving the most votes will become Head Councillor.

Candidates must be Aamjiwnaang members and at least 18 years old. They must have completed high school or an equivalent, provide a criminal record check or evidence that one has been requested, and sign a code of ethics.

Campaign standards are grounded in the Seven Grandfather Teachings and prohibit coercion, vote-buying and smear campaigns, according to Aamjiwnaang’s comparison of the new law and Indian Act system.

Nominees must formally accept their nominations and complete the required declarations. Anyone nominated while absent has five business days to complete the process before their name can appear on the ballot.

Members can nominate candidates orally during Friday’s meeting or submit signed and witnessed nominations by mail. Mail-in voting remains available, advance polls are permitted and proxy voting is prohibited.

Election appeals will now be decided within the community instead of by the federal government.

The law creates a seven-member Election Appeal Board that includes elders, youth and community representatives, along with a mediator. Its decisions are final within the community process, although they can be challenged through judicial review.

The law also establishes conflict-of-interest and confidentiality rules and procedures for removing elected officials for ethics violations, criminal convictions or misconduct.

A removal process can begin through a council resolution or a petition supported by 50 per cent plus one of eligible electors of the most recent election.

The election law draws its authority from Aamjiwnaang’s Chi’Naaknigewin, the community constitution ratified in 2016 and signed into law in 2017. Aamjiwnaang circulated a draft election law, held consultations and collected member feedback before the January ratification vote.

Friday’s nomination meeting will be held at the Maawn Doosh Gumig Community Centre, 1972 Virgil Ave. The list of nominees, nominators and seconders will be posted after nominations close.

Voting will take place at the same location Oct. 16.