DECLARATION

We are the Anishinabek which translates both as the "good beings" and "lowered from above." This is the name we have called ourselves for millennia and is our living constitution and holds the Teaching of our Creation.

We the Anishinaabek; by calling ourselves this, we know that we are made up of the same minerals that were lowered to the Earth from the Star World where Creation molded Air, Fire, Water and Earth to create us. We are living beings of divinity.

We the Anishinabek hold ancestral knowledge that measures cycles of earth shifts and celestial movements we measure as time that is expressed in our Languages, Ceremonies and Sacred Sites. We know we have been on Earth for many of these Earth Cycles. Our Clan System was

given to use to Govern ourselves as a result of living out of balance in previous cycles of time.

This Clan System biologically connects us to a lineage of an original life giver where our own our Mothers give us Birth and a Family, Name, Language and Territory on Turtle Island.

Anishinabek is our Creation Story and Living Constitution which is the Supreme Law of the Land on Great Turtle Island.

CONSTITUTION

Article 1- Founding Provisions

1.1 We the Anishinabek are spiritual beings occupying a physical body as individuals that

are organized by this Constitution; the Clan System as Families, Communities and

Tribes of Anishinabek. This is the Supreme Law of the Land.

1.2 We are interconnected and interdependent to the land. We were created out of the Star

World and lowered from above and placed on this continent to become the

Anishinabek. Our Country is made up of Tribe and Clan Territories known as

Anishinabek Aki and is also recognized by other Nations we have Intertribal Treaties

with.

1.3 Anishinabemowiin and English are the official language of the Anishinabek. We

acknowledge that through efforts of colonization Anishinabemowiin, our language was

forbidden for generations of children to speak and was almost exterminated.

We make specific point that our current use of english as a common language does not

obligate us to the occult etymological origins where this language has been and is

being used in legalese for reasons of chicanery by Settler States and their Courts.

ARTICLE 2 – E’Dbendaagzijig, Those Who Belong

2.1 Everyone who is born of an Anishinabe Mother is an Anishinaabe. A Child is given a

Spirit Name, Language and Clan. A Child follows their Father’s Clan/Family. Every Clan

has a Winged, Fourlegged or Swimmer Representative as its Clan which has a

Responsibility and Role. Everyone has a Spirit Name also which gives one direction and

a role to fulfill. Free Will is a fundemental freedom that is respected and although each

Clan has its own specific responsibility everyone has the freedom to follow other roles

and responsibilities that their Spirit is drawn to that may not be of their Clan’s Role.

2.2 An Individual without a Clan can be adopted by into a Clan and Community and

become a Member if recognized by other members of a Clan and the Community

ARTICLE 3 – 7 Grandfather/Grandmother Teachings:

3.1 These 7 Teachings are guidelines on how to fulfill Anishinaabe Mino Biimzadizin; a

Good Life, and: Nibwaakaawin—Wisdom: Zaagi’idiwin—Love: Minaadendamowin—

Respect: Aakode’ewin—Bravery: Gwayakwaadiziwin—Honesty, Dabaadendiziwin—

Humility: Humility Debwewin—Truth.

ARTICLE 4

Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

4.1 Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

• (a) freedom of conscience and to spiritual belief system

• (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press

and other media of communication;

• (c) freedom of peaceful assembly;

• (d) freedom of association; Not to be held in servitude.

4.2 Life, liberty and security of the individual

(a) Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the individual and the right not to

be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.

(b) Everyone has the right to Trade

(d) Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.

(e) Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.

(f) Everyone has the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or

punishment.

(g) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal

protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination.

(h) Anyone whose rights or freedoms have been infringed or denied may apply for a

restorative justice circle made up of a collective of Clan Mothers to obtain such remedy

as the circle considers appropriate and just in the circumstances.

Article 5 – Structure of Governance

5.1 Clan Leadership: An extended family group with specific roles and responsibilities. The

Characteristic of each Clan are designated with Roles and Responsibilities to the

Confederacy of Clans of the Anishinabek.

(a) Each Clan will have a Woman’s Council who will select a head Clan Mother. A Clan

Mother will be a Grandmother who is the eldest woman within a Family who has a

strong knowledge of the Family, history, language, ceremonies and laws. A Clan Mother

helps choose a Clan Headmen to speak for the Clan as a Diplomat.

(b) Ogema: A Male Ogema for each Clan will be selected by a Clan Mother and group of

Grandmothers who are from the same Clan.

Council, and any other officials democratically elected by the People for a period of

renewal every Four years. The Clan Council acts through its Council in exercising its

rights, powers, and privileges and in carrying out its duties, functions, and obligations.

Conduct of Individuals Elected to Office. The Clan Council shall conduct all affairs of

the First Nation in accordance with the Clan Council Fires laws of governance and

accountability.

Article 6- Clans Roles

6.1 (a) International Relations and Nation Building because they are said to be echo

makers, the most vocal that are heard are the Crane, Hawk, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle

and Thunderbird Clans. These Clans observe the outside world and are known as the

External Chief.

(b) The responsibility for Internal/Domestic Affairs and Communications, facilitating and

organizing all internal/domestic issues are the Loon, Goose, Duck, Snipe, Raven,

Kingfisher Clans. These Clans are known for their voice as they fly around or dive and

see the happenings inside the water in this way they are known as the Inside Chief.

These Clans also must know the roles of the other Clans.

who are considered our Intellectuals are the Water Clans; the Pike, Catfish, Sturgeon,

Otter, Sucker, Mud Turtle, Painted Turtle, Snapping Turtle, Frog, Snake, Mermaid Clans.

These Clans are astrologers who watch the sky and have the knowledge of the sun,

stars and moon to predict events here on earth. In this way the Fish Clan hold the

intelligence and are the peoples philosophers. They are also advisers to the Chief Clans

and help solve problems of the Nation. In this modern time we add on Finance and

Treasury to this responsibility.

(d) The responsibility for implementing protocols, community patrol and known as the

medicine people is the Bear Clan. They are known to protect with ferocity, to be short

tempered and live on the outside of the village to ensure the safety. This Clan was so

big at one time that it was divided up into sub clans from various parts representing the

Bear. This Clan is also our medicine people for they know the healing ways of the

plants. Their duty is to implement community patrols, protocol implementation, and

organizing ceremonies and healing and wellness.

(e) The responsibility for a national defence, emergency response and preparedness are

the Wolf, Lynx, Martin, Beaver, Otter, Fox who are the Warrior Societies. These Clans

are known to be master strategists, organizers and planners and also known for their

fierceness, loyalty and bravery.

(f) The responsibility to ensure we are well stocked in food, arms, resources and plans

of action are the Moose, Elk, Caribou, Deer, Buffalo Clans. These Clans are known for

resourcefulness, kindness, artistry and being poetic in nature. They are creative and

make music, stories, art, games, using colours and making beautiful things. For these

reasons they serve a responsibility to Social Aspects, Entertainment and Wellbeing.

(g) The responsibility of teaching and carrying on spirituality as well as looking after

seeds and gardening are the Bird Clans. They are known to predict the future. There are

different types of birds in this clan such as waterfowl, land fowl.

6.3 Clan Council Fire: An Autonomous Community of three or more Clans tied historically to

a Head Clan Territory. The Head Clan has the underlying title of its Clan Territory. Each

Clan Council Fire will consist of a Woman’s Council, Mens Council and Youth Council.

(a) We have always lived in small Clan Groups and not as one central government in

which the delegation of internal governance of each Clan Council Fire and

administration falls under the jurisdiction of each Clan Council Fire’s Laws.

6.4 Confederacy of Clans Grand Council: A confederated assembly of Clans. This

Confederacy will meet regularly to continue this living Constitution through Ceremony

and conduct affairs of the Nation.

6.5 Central Organizing Committee for ACTION; The Central Organizing Committee will

serve to help establish our Clan Council Fires, Confederacy of Clans by Organizing

Headquarters throughout our Territories and establishing Ministry Departments. These

will be Community Organizers dedicated to rebuilding our Nation. Each Community or

Territory will have an Organizer to sit on this Central Committee.

6.6 In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between this constitution and any Clan

Council Fire’s law or regulation, the Constitution shall prevail to the extent of the

conflict.

7.1 Delegation of Authority for Clan Council Fires

A Clan Council Fire has the inherent right of governance and may pass laws with

respect to the following matters, including:

(a) Our governance structures including the selection of leadership and the delegation

of jurisdiction or authority;

(b) The preservation and maintenance of our land, water, air and other natural

resources

(d) Economic development

(e) Social services including child welfare, guardianship and adoption;

(f) Administration of justice

(g) Health

(h) Lands and resource management;

(i) Labour relations

(j) Employment and training;

(k) Marriages/Divorces

(l) Public works and infrastructure;

(m) Wills and estates;

(n) Emergency preparedness;

(o) Environment protection and assessment

(p) other areas approved by the Community.

7.2 Law-Making Process

You can amend this process to match the process that your Clan Council Fire uses to

make laws or codes. A draft law may be introduced at a regular meeting of the Clan

Council:

a) by the Clan mothers

b) by a Headman

c) by a petition signed by 50% plus 1 of Clan Members who support the proposed draft

law; or,

d) by a duly formed and recognized Public Institution of the People

7.3 A draft law shall be enacted through the law-making process set out below: a) the law is

introduced and considered by the Council in accordance with its rules; b) the law has

been passed by at least a simple majority of the Council who vote on proposed law to

vote in favour of the law; and, c) the law has been signed by Council, in accordance

with its rules.

7.4 The Council will establish rules to allow Clan Members participation and consultation in

its law-making process.

7.5 The Council shall establish rules regarding the process and timelines for the enactment,

coming into force, and publication for the Community

8.1 Establishment of Public Institutions

(a) The Clan Council may establish Public Institutions, in accordance with its laws, to

perform functions of its government, as determined by the Council.

9.1 Principles of Financial Administration

The Clan Council expects the financial management and administration of the Council

Fire to:

a) be prudent, open, and accountable; and,

b) provide for effective and efficient use of the financial resources of the Council Fire.

9.2 Control of Financial Administration

The Community has the right to access information on matters dealing with the

financial management and administration of all the Clans services and

programs, excluding information related to personnel matters and any other confidential

personal information.

(a) The Clan Council and Community administration shall abide by the Clan Council

laws and policies governing financial management, accountability and access to

information.

(b) The Clan Council shall make laws to establish a system of financial administration,

through which the Council will be financially accountable to Clan Council Members

10.1 Constitutional Amendment

This constitution was ratified by the Citizens of the Anishinabe Community of said

Council Fire in accordance with the ratification process selected and approved by the

Clan Council. This constitution may be amended by following the accepted process to

do so.

11. Delegated Issues of the Confederacy of Clan Council Fires.

• Birth Registry, Vital Statistics, Membership, Census.

• The Regulation of Trade and Commerce.

The raising of Money by any Mode or System of Trade

Postal Service.

National Defence.

The fixing of and providing for the Salaries and Allowances of Council and Confederacy

and other Officers of the Confederacy of Clan Chiefs and Council Fires

Water Ways Protection

Confederacy Constitution

Currency.

Banking, Incorporation of Banks, and the use of Paper Money or Digital Currency.

Diplomacy

Administration of Justice. Council Fire Restorative Justice Courts. Crown- Council Fire

Relations

Decolonization from Indian Act and Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Establishment,

Maintenance and Transfer from Indian Act to Clan Council Fire. Elections.