Nishnawbe-Aski Nation's Grand Chief sees value in a new accord between the Ontario government and the Chiefs of Ontario but NAN is also on its own path.
The accord Premier Kathleen Wynne and Ontario Chief Isadore Day signed on Monday created a formal bilateral relationship between the province and 133 First Nations in the territory.
It estabilshed self-governance as a right while it made commitments to hold regular meetings and cooperate on matters like treaty rights and revenue sharing.
NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said he's satisfied to have the process in place but when Treaty 9 was finalized in 1905, it was unique among numbered treaties in that First Nations of the Far North signed it with both Canada and Ontario.
"I think NAN is in a very unique position to having those discussions with Ontario or with any other government, for that matter," Fiddler said.
"It doesn't hurt to be engaged in a regular process with the government of Ontario but what we've told the province is that NAN is unique in many ways. Thirty-two of our communities are remote and the Ring of Fire is in the heart of our territory."
The accord affirms that First Nations have an inherent right to self-government, and that the relationship with Ontario is based upon respect for that right.
Day says it's also the start of addressing priorities, such as Missing and Murdered Aboriginal women, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the ‘60s scoop and a number of other major issues.
