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On Monday, Mamaweswen, the North Shore Tribal Council, met at Nathan Phillips Square and marched to Queens Park to protest cuts to services.

Click here to see more photos from the march.

From their website:

Corporate Profile

Mamaweswen, the North Shore Tribal Council (NSTC) represents seven First Nations (FN). They are Batchewana FN, Garden River FN, Thessalon FN, Mississauga FN, Serpent River FN, Sagamok Anishnawbek and Atikameksheng Anishinawbek.

All First Nations are located along the North Shore of Lake Huron within the Robinson-Huron Treaty area. The North Shore Tribal Council Secretariat is the corporate arm of this collective of First Nations. It is responsible for the delivery of services to our member First Nations and their community members.

The Tribal Council provides technical advisory services to communities in the areas of health services, second level education services, administration, financial management, economic development, employment and training services. The Head Office is located on the Serpent River FN in Cutler, Ontario.

Many health staff work in the First Nations and the Sault Ste Marie Indian Friendship Centre, providing health services. The services provided to the communities are supported financially by various government departments and agencies, including the Department of Indian Affairs, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs Ontario Ministry of Health through the North East Local Health Integration Network, Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy and the Northern Diabetes Health Network, the Union of Ontario Indians and Service Canada. The Tribal Council’s strategy is to continue to provide quality service to the First Nations. As the needs of the First Nations change, the Tribal Council is ready to evolve and adapt to meet the new demands of an aspiring Nation.

The goal is to promote the cultural, spiritual, political, economic and social well being of the member First Nations. Overall objectives of the Tribal Council are: 1) retain and expand government funding for current programs and services and 2) continually work towards identifying, acquiring and providing new programs and services for members. Garden River Mississauga Sagamok Anishnawbek Serpent River Thessalon Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

 

Mission Statement

“Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council shall deliver products and services that enhance the collective sustainability of our member communities.” 

 

Vision Statement 

“Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council is an organization that meets the needs of member communities in an atmosphere of unity and cooperation, in a socially, economically advanced society.”

 

Mandate

The mandate of Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council is to assist and facilitate the activities of the member communities of the North Shore Tribal Council. In a manner that promotes the cultural, spiritual, political, economic, environmental and social well being of the member First Nations, the Tribal Council will act to serve three primary functions:

  1. Research, develop and deliver regionally based products and services to member communities when directed by NSTC member communities.
  2. Provide advisory services to member communities.
  3. Provide collective political support to advance the betterment of First Nations people.

The Guiding Principles of the NSTC Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council will meet the needs of member communities by:

  1. Integrating organizational flexibility in our structure enabling us to effectively adapt to our everchanging environment;
  2. Working diligently and proactively to ensure sufficient resources are available to meet goals and objectives;
  3. Ensuring that the core beliefs and values held by our member population are maintained throughout our everyday activities; and
  4. Providing services in a truly fair and equitable manner.

 

John Bonnar

John Bonnar is an independent journalist producing print, photo, video and audio stories about social justice issues in and around Toronto.