First Nations and Métis Resources

Aboriginal Governance in the Decade Ahead: Towards a New Agenda for Change (2004)
Based on mounting evidence that sound governance is a necessary condition for sustainable socio-economic development, this paper outlines some of the central governance challenges facing Aboriginal communities in Canada - particularly First Nations - and proposes an agenda of change to deal with these issues over the coming decade.

Created for: The Institute on Governance by John Graham and Jake Wilson

The Concept of Governance and its Implications for First Nations (2003)
This paper explores the questions around governance and their implications for First Nations, drawing in particular on a large body of research on governance and development among indigenous nations in the United States and Canada.

Created for: The Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management and Policy, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona by Stephen Cornell, Catherine Curtis, and Miriam Jorgensen

Effective Board Governance: A Handbook for Board Members and Administrators of First Nations' Boards
This handbook provides an introduction to the governance role and responsibilities for newly elected or newly appointed members of First Nations non-profit boards. It assumes that you have no background, training or experience in board governance, and guides you through the critical elements of effective board leadership.

Author: Larry Thomas, First Nations Education Steering Committee

First Nations Effective Practices: Getting Things Done in Aboriginal Communities, Businesses, and Organizations
This new Lessons Learned project focuses on comprehensive social development strategies and programs serving the needs of Aboriginal people in Canada. It asks how programs should be delivered if they are to meet the needs of Aboriginal people, and what is needed - from government, from the program and from the community - to enhance their impact and effectiveness.

Author: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

The National Centre for First Nations Governance
The National Centre for First Nations Governance develops programs and services that are culturally enriched and empowered by First Nations traditions, customs, laws and inherent governing powers. The website has section dedicated to providing tools like online documents, best practices and the governance toolkit.

Understanding Governance in Strong Aboriginal Communities - Phase One: Principles and Best Practices (1999)
The purpose of this study is to increase awareness among Aboriginal leaders and their communities and among government policy makers about the linkages between governance and sustained socioeconomic development in a Canadian Aboriginal context; to increase awareness about the process of transformation in the strong Aboriginal communities; and to explore specific, concrete steps that Aboriginal governments and other affected 'players' might undertake to improve well-being in Aboriginal communities.

Author: Institute on Governance in collaboration with York University, CESO Aboriginal Services, and Saskatchewan Federated Indian College