The text is identical to the printed draft, however some formatting has been added to make the document easier to read. Each of the sections has links to pages where membership comments are listed. 

What you do with the thoughts is entirely up to you. 

Other CCFN Member Comments can be reviewed by clicking here.  
 

Further, we are one of the first peoples of this land, with the inherent right of self-government and as one of the Aboriginal peoples living within Canada with Aboriginal and Treaty rights and title within the Mushkegowuk Traditional Territory. 

This document represents our beliefs, traditions and values, and provides the principles with which we wish to govern ourselves. 

This document is the embodiment of our spirituality and is based upon the teachings of our Elders. 

It will rule our leaders and it will be a guide for our children, who are our future. 

This document is a manifestation of our collective will and the foundation for our laws and government. 

We, the people of the Chapleau Cree First Nation, have spoken and say that this document is our Constitution. 

• respect for our Mother Earth,
• mutual respect for each other,
• respect for our language, culture, and heritage,
• and most importantly, respect for our elders.

These values are an affirmation of relationship with our Creator and to each other. 

Each of us lives our life based upon the fundamental value of mutual respect. 

By doing so we respect each person, each family, and our Mushkegowuk Nation. 

We extend this respect to our First Nation as the voice of our people. 

We pledge to govern ourselves by always having the respect for the spirit, (and) the needs and the connection of all living things to our Mother Earth. 

We place high value in our traditions which we learn from the wisdom amd teachings of our Elders. 

We believe in the primary importance of healing,  reconciling and amicably resolving our differences, clear sober thinking, and the pursuit of harmony within our First Nation. 

We value our self-respect and our right to self-sufficiency. 

Based upon the fundamental value of respect for all people, we believe in sharing our resources and knowledge with others.

As a people, we have maintained our traditions and have passed them on to other generations. 

These traditions are utilized to protect our language, our culture and our heritage, and are precious gifts from the Creator. 

These traditions include the duty to serve as caretakers of our land, water, air and resources above and below the face of our Mother Earth. 

We have always believed in respect our ancestors and Elders, as they are the ones who have always maintained our values, our way of life and our language. 

We then, as a people, accept our responsibility to maintain these traditions for our future generations.

They are to mutually support each other and work collectively to improve the well-being of our people, regardless of where they may be. 

That responsibility is life long commitment and shall bind each Citizen of the Chapleau Cree First Nation. 

The creation of Chapleau Cree First Nation Government  to help maintain and protect those values and traditions does not end or curtail the responsibility of the people. 

Values, traditions and rights are maintained by the people acting as a collective while some may be maintained by the individual Citizen.

 making sure that our language is protected and taught by our Citizens;

respect for each individual person, for the family and for our people as a collective;

respect for the teachings of our Elders and retaining them for future generations;

a commitment to sober thoughts, honesty, unselfishness, life-long learning, faith the Creator and love of our fellow human beings;

committed to ensuring that our people will always have the necessities of life and are treated with dignity and respect;

active participation in the exercise of our First Nation government;

 honour and observation of this Constitution

Its application to the Citizens of the Chapleau Cree First Nation is not limited by time or place. 

Our Citizens sovereignty is unalienable and is a gift of the Creator and thereby is to be treated with pride and respect at all times. 

All laws and other actions brought about by any of the departments within the jurisdictional scope of the Chapleau Cree First Nation shall be consistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

The Departments are responsible to carry out the management, administration and government of the Chapleau Cree First Nation. 

Departments are fully accountable to the Council for carrying out their responsibilities and shall provide reports on their activities as required by Council.

The Departments who have the authority to spend, control and invest Chapleau Cree First Nation monies, including transfer payments and trust monies, shall present full audited financial statements at Annual General Assembly.

Citizens participate in their government by hearing the reports of the Departments and by giving direction and guidance to the Departments to carry out the wishes of the Citizens. 

The general Band meetings are an affirmation that responsibility, for the First Nation government is invested in the Citizens.

The Council may at its discretion, call for special and/or emergency meetings to deal with a urgent and/or special issues.

When a special and/or an emergency meeting is deemed necessary, the Council shall make best efforts to provide notice to all as many Citizens as possible

thirty (30) days notice for Annual General and other Band meetings including special meetings

seven (7) days notice for emergency Band meetings.

At all Band meetings every attempt to reach Consensus shall be the order of the day. 

When Consensus cannot be attained, those assembled will then vote on issues, and a majority vote will carry the day. 

Subject to Section 6 - The Amendment Procedure, when Consensus cannot be achieved and those assembled move to make a decision by voting, then a minimum of seventy five percent, (75%) of those present, eligible and participating in the vote, is required in order for the decision to pass.

Through their duly elected government, herein referred to as the Chief and Council, the citizens may enact Chapleau Cree First Nation Laws in relation to all matters including but not limited to the following:

protection, management and administration of the First Nation?s rights and benefits within their traditional territories;

use, management, administration, control and protection of all reserved lands;

implementation of all land claim agreements;

use, management, administration, control and protection of renewable and non-renewable resources under ownership, control or jurisdiction of the Chapleau Cree First Nation;

Citizenship of the Chapleau Cree First Nation;

Justice, which may include courts, Justice Officials, the administration of justice and other forms Traditional Cree dispute resolution mechanisms;

intergovernmental relations, including agreements for transfer payments and cost sharing and the participation in inter-jurisdictional bodies;

gathering, hunting, fishing and trapping or the harvesting of traditional medicines and for the conservation of the flora, the animals and their habitats;

pollution and environmental protection;

culture and language;

Traditional spiritual beliefs and practices;

education and training;

economic development;

health and health care and recreation;

healing and the well being of the Citizens;

social and welfare services and benefits;

public health and safety;

allocation or disposition of rights, titles and/or interests in or to reserved lands, including upon due process, expropriation for the benefit of the Chapleau Cree First Nation;

use, management, administration, control and the protection of the Chapleau Cree First Nation monies, including trusts and other monies that may be provided under different agreements from time to time;

raising of money by levying or collecting fees or taxes for the use or occupation of reserved lands, or other forms of fees or taxes from the Citizens of the Chapleau Cree First Nation and others who purchase services and make use of and benefit from the reserved lands;

rules of procedure and accountability for   governing bodies;

establishment, organization and maintenance of corporations or other entities owned and controlled by the Chapleau Cree First Nation;

appointment, remuneration, tenure and removal from office of officers, employees, agents, and servants of the Government;

borrowing of monies;

communications;

family matters, including marriage, adoption and divorce;

well-being of children, including guardianship, custody, care and placement;

inheritance, wills, intestacy and administration of estates;

safeguarding the well-being and/or property of the persons under disability;

licensing and regulation of any business, trade, profession or other occupations on reserved lands;

public works and related services;

law and order including policing;

other subjects within the Chapleau Cree First Nation authority pursuant to the self-government parameters of the Chapleau Cree First Nation.

expressly delegate some of its powers or authorities, on terms;

authorize the collection or expenditure of funds by departments;

review the performance of the departmentss;

authorize agreements between the Chapleau Cree First Nation or departments and other First Nation governments, bodies, entities or persons;

establish committees and departments;

seek and consider the advice of the Elders Council;

appoint persons to inquire into and report upon particular matters;

take other steps to give effect to this Constitution and Chapleau Cree First Nation Laws.

The Elders and   Youth Councils shall select among themselves who they wish as their candidates.

For those purposes  it shall implement resolutions passed at the Annual General Meeting and other meetings and may take other steps allowed under this Constitution, including but not limited to the following:

administer and implement Chapleau Cree First Nation Laws;

enact regulations authorized by the First Nation's Laws;

develop and enact policies;

develop and administer programs to provide services;

protect, administer and manage all of the Chapleau Cree First Nation interests, including all interests in lands, monies, capital and other assets;

make recommendations at the Band meetings;

provide for the registration and publication of Chapleau Cree First Nation Laws, regulations and the policies, actions and decisions of all the governing bodies and committees;

negotiate and conclude agreements on behalf of the First Nation;

expressly delegate some of its functions, on terms;

establish continuing or temporary committees and appoint    citizens to these boards and committees;

convene meetings for the First Nation;

other matters as the Council feels necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this section.

At every meeting the Council will report on the recorded activities of the various committees, boards and departments. 

At the Annual General Meeting the Council will present their annual financial report. 

Minutes of the Citizens meetings will be posted at the Chapleau Cree First Nation administration office and shall be available on request to any Citizen.

A quorum for Council meetings shall be at least four (4) Councillors

The Council shall meet at least once per month.

a person who can quantify their ancestral and genetic connection as defined in section; 10.2 and is a Citizen of the Chapleau Cree First Nation 

OR

a person as defined in sections 20.1.2, 20.1.4 and 20.1.5

must be of sober mind and of good character 

AND

must meet the requirements in the Band Custom law.

If the Elder's Councillor cannot continue in office then an alternate will be chosen among their group and assume the position. 

The Elder Councillor will report to the Elder's Council.

Therefore when fulfilling their responsibilities, the Elder Councillor shall act in the best interest of the First Nation.

If the Youth Councillor cannot complete their term then the alternate will assume office for the remainder of the term. 

The Youth Councillor will report directly and regularly to the Youth Council. 

The Youth Councillor shall be non-voting if under the age of majority as established in paragraph 9.7.2. of this Constitution.

The Chief acts as the voice of the Chapleau Cree First Nation. 

Therefore, the Chief shall act in the best interest of the First Nation.

For those purposes, the Chief shall ensure that resolutions passed at, Council meetings, general Band meetings and the Annual General Assembly are implemented and may take other steps allowed under this Constitution, including but not limited to the following:

act as the principle spokesperson and representative of the Chapleau Cree First Nation;

encourage the amicable resolution of internal disputes and conflicts within the Chapleau Cree First Nation communities, committees and other departments;

participate in committees and departments;

promote the fundamental principles as stated in part 1 of this Constitution;

oversee the general administration and management of the Chapleau Cree First Nation operations;

provide direction to the staff employed by the Chapleau Cree First Nation;

from time to time, the Chief may delegate his/her authority to the Deputy Chief.

The Deputy Chief shall support the actions and the authority of the Chief in keeping with the principles and spirit of this Constitution.

If the Deputy Chief cannot continue in office, the Chief shall appoint a temporary replacement until a permanent person can be appointed pursuant to section 12.3

The Elders Council shall conduct its business by Consensus. 

The Elders Council shal determine the eligibility of citizens to be declared an Elder.

advise the Council and Citizens in Assembly on relevant matters;

advise other appointed bodies that may require direction;

participate in Citizenship matters;

assist the Council and others as/when requested to resolve conflicts;

appoint the Elder Councillor and the alternate on the Band Council

arrange programs for the Chapleau Cree First Nation Elders.

The members of the Youth Council shall be selected from the young Citizens recognized for their maturity, potential leadership capabilities and their desire to be involved in First Nation government. 

Youth Council members shall be appointed for a one (1) year term.

the Chapleau Cree First Nation and Mushkegowuk values, traditions and the operations of the different organizations, committees and departments;

assist members of the Council and the Elders in their functions and responsibilities;

attend all Band meetings;

advise the different committees and boards on matters of concern to the Youth;

encourage the youth to honour and observe this Constitution and the Chapleau Cree First Nation Laws;

arrange programs for the Chapleau Cree First Nation Youth.

In the event that the Chapleau Cree First Nation established a Justice System it shall be in accordance to the principles of this Constitution and Chapleau Cree First Nation Laws.

voluntarily by resignation

leave of absence based upon but not limited to the following reasons: sickness, short term disability, education, pregnancy, change in employment; compassionate reasons.

Councillors- if no longer fit to hold office and/or convicted of a crime deemed to be immoral and repugnant to the First Nation and its Citizens

Chief and Deputy Chief - if no longer fit to hold office and/or convicted of a crime deemed to be immoral and repugnant to the First Nation and its Citizens.

Elder Councillor - if no longer fit to hold office and upon motion of the Elders Council

Youth Councillor- if no longer fir to hold office and upon recommendation and/or motion from the Youth Council.

Appeals from all decisions or actions made or taken by the Council, committees, boards and departments pursuant to the Chapleau Cree First Nation Laws, shall be determined according to Chapleau Cree First Nation Laws.

Judicial review of a decision or action may be commenced only after all appeals pursuant to Chapleau Cree First Nation Law has been exhausted.

Only persons directly affected by a decision or action shall have the right to appeal.

The first appeal shall be to the committee or departments which made the decision. In that first appeal, the committee or department shall review all aspects of the appeal and shall make whatever decision it considers appropriate.

A second appeal from a departments and/or a committee shall go to the Chief and Council for the Council?s disposition and decision.

If the appeal involves a Chief and Council decision, then the appeal will be dealt with by an independent Tribunal

The Independent Tribunal shall consist of seven (7) impartial and non-affected Citizens of which two (2) will be Elders, four (4) Citizens at large and a Youth.

In the event that a third appeal should be deemed to have further merit, then it shall  be dealt with at a dully convened general meeting and shall require a minimum of seventy-five (75) percent support by those in attendance.

A final decision by the Citizens at a general meeting shall be final and binding on all parties, and not subject to further appeal or review in any Court.

Nothing in this section is intended to restrict the right of a Citizen to challenge the validity of any Chapleau Cree First Nation Law or seek a ruling that a law is of no force and effect.

The Citizens Counsel shall provide advise and assistance to the Citizen on matters where there may have been interference by the entity against whom the Citizen has filed a complaint or an appeal .

The Citizens Counsel shall be afforded full access to all the relevant material and records in order to expedite and clarify the issues whenever the Counsel deems that the Citizen?s complaint has merit and substance.

The Citizens Counsel shall be of sober mind and exemplary character and promote the practice the principles of this Constitution

The Citizens Counsel shall be elected by the Citizens during the First Nation's general elections and shall serve for a term of three (3) years.

'Proof of Marriage' may be a marriage license from an outside government, a traditional Cree or other First Nation ceremony or proof of having lived together with the intention of being husband and wife for at least two (2) years.

'Adoption Order' means Chapleau Cree First Nation custom adoption or any other adoption orders recognized under laws of Canada    or its provinces and territories.

'Child' means a person under eighteen (18) years of age.

'Mushkegowuk Person' means a person who is enrolled or is eligible to be enrolled under the citizenship codes of the member First Nations of the Mushkegowuk Council.

'Citizenship Register' means the list of names of persons who are members of the Chapleau Cree First Nation pursuant to this Constitution.

The Council shall, every three (3) years, submit to the First Nation Citizens a call for interested Citizens to sit on the Citizenship Committee. 

These Citizens would have to qualify under the conditions as outlined in section 10.2 of this Constitution. 

The Citizenship Committee shall be composed of one (1) Elder and an alternate and two adult (2) Citizens and an alternate. 

In the event that a member of the Citizenship Committee cannot complete their term, then the respective alternate shall assume office until such time that a replacement could be confirmed at a general Band meeting, or the member is able to return.

Prior to these bi-annual meetings, the Citizenship Committee shall post a list of the applicants seeking Citizenship with the Chapleau Cree First Nation two weeks prior to their committee meeting.

In the case of a dependent child, the application shall be signed be their legal guardian and who has lawful custody of the child. 

Each application shall provide all of the relevant personal information as well as the genealogical information as defined in section 10.2 of this Constitution. 
 

The Citizenship Committee will recommend, accept, reject the application based upon the need for more information.

A person registered on the Chapleau Cree First Nation Band List of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada prior to the adoption of this Constitution and Citizenship Code. 

A person who is entitled to be enrolled under the terms of this Constitution upon its ratification and who has Chapleau Cree First Nation ancestry.

A person who is enrolled under the terms of this Constitution.

A person who can claim ancestry to the Chapleau Cree First Nation by proving a twenty five (25%) percent genetic connection and/or married to a Citizen.

An Aboriginal person or a person from another First Nation who is married to a Citizen and had Band membership with their mother community.

A child adopted by a Citizen:

A Cree and or/a North American Aboriginal person

A person may become a Citizen of the Chapleau Cree First Nation and not be entitled to be entered on the Band Rolls of    the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

 shared language, spiritual and cultural connections;

knowledge of the land and traditional Cree way of life;

length of residence in the Traditional Territory of the Chapleau Cree First Nation;

place of birth;

length of residence in the Mushkegowuk Territory.

after giving written notice to the Citizenship Committee of an intention to renounce Chapleau Cree First Nation Citizenship and receiving written acknowledgment from the Citizenship Committee and or the Citizenship Clerk that the citizenship has ceased;

a person becomes a Citizen of another First Nation;

termination of marriage of a person whose citizenship was derived solely from that marriage, which includes separation for one year with the intention of terminating the marriage;

where the Citizenship Committee determines after appropriate notice and upon due consideration of all of the relevant information that a person was enrolled by mistake or fraud and did not initially qualify as a Citizen. 

Such a person shall be deemed to never have been a Citizen.

On such an appeal the Citizenship Committee shall give its recommendations to the Chief and Council in writing within sixty (60) days of the first notice of an appeal.

The Elder and Youth Councillors shall be selected as per section 10.2 of this Constitution.

the name of an elector has been omitted from the voter's list;

the name of the elector is incorrectly set out therein;

the name of person not qualified to vote is included.

All mailed in ballots are secured and remain secret until after the polls have closed on election day;

all mailed in ballots are checked against the voters list to ensure that the persons name is on the 'Band List' and eligible to cast a ballot;

the only ballots that will be recognized are those that have been mailed through the regular mail (Canada Post) or delivered by a licensed courier and received at the polling station at least twenty four (24) hours before the official opening of the polls on the date of the election;

The Electoral Officer or an agent thereof shall then verify the legitamacy of the elector and then remove the ballot from the envelope and place the ballot in the ballot box in the polling station. 

The envelop will then be destroyed.

In turn the elector's name will be cross checked with the Band Registery and crossed off when they have recieved a ballot to vote. 

There will only be a corresponding number of ballots printed to the number of eligible voters indicated on the First Nation Citizens Registery.

The protester will then post a one hundred dollar bond ($100.00) which will be returned only if the Electoral Officer deems their protest to have merit and decides to hear the person's complaint. 

The posting of the bond is meant to discourage persons from filing meritless or frivilous protests and not an impediment to due process.

A mail out of the proposed amendments will be sent out to the Citizens thirty days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

Failing a consensus, all amendments will require passage by an affirmative vote of seventy five (75%) percent of the number of eligible votes cast.

Amendments to Parts 1, 5, and 6 require passage by two consecutive referendums.