Indigenous Governing Bodies

One of the primary purposes of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families is to affirm the inherent right of self-government by enabling an Indigenous group, community or people to pass their own legislation for the delivery of child and family services to their community members. Sections 20 through 24 set out the process for this to occur. The legislation requires that an Indigenous Governing Body (IGB) provide notice of the Indigenous group, community or people's intent to exercise this legislative authority. Any law of an Indigenous group, community or people that comes into force will have the force of federal law. This means that the law will prevail over provincial legislation. The law of an Indigenous group, community or people can only come into force if an IGB has entered into a tripartite coordination agreement with both the federal and provincial governments or has not entered into such an agreement after making reasonable efforts to do so over a twelve month period.

Current List of declared Indigenous Governing Bodies that require Notice of significant measure under Section 12 (1) of the Act Respecting Indigenous, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families: