Chippewas of Rama Political Structures

Rama First Nation Chief and Council, like all First Nation communities, retain the sole right and responsibility to act on behalf of their membership. While authority is not ceded to any other governance organization, the organizations shown represent First Nation interests as a collective at various levels of government.

Assembly of First Nations

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is the national representative organization of the First Nations in Canada. There are over 640 First Nations communities across the country. The AFN Secretariat is designed to present the views of the various First Nations through their leaders in areas such as: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, Economic Development, Education, Language and Literacy, Health, Housing, Social Development, Justice, Taxation, Land Claims, Environment and a whole array of issues that are of common concern.

Chiefs of Ontario

The mainstay activities of the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is governed by the Political Confederacy. COO’s stated purpose is to enable the four political territory organizations and Independent First Nations to discuss and decide on regional, provincial, federal and national priorities affecting First Nations and to provide a unified voice on these issues. The main objective set out by COO is to facilitate the discussion, planning, implementation and evaluation of all local, regional, provincial, federal and national matters affecting First Nations in Ontario.

Anishinabek Nation (formerly Union of Ontario Indians)

Rama First Nation is a member of the Anishinabek Nation. The Anishinabek Nation was incorporated as the secretariat in 1949 and is a political advocate for 40 member First Nations across Ontario. It is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact. The Anishinabek Nation delivers a variety of programs and services, such as Health, Social Services, Education, Intergovernmental Affairs and Treaty Research.

Ogemawahj Tribal Council

At a regional level, Rama is one of six member communities in the Ogemawahj Tribal Council (OTC). Rama works with the highly skilled staff at the OTC to apply their expertise to the development, financing and management of specific projects. The OTC works with First Nation staff in the planning and delivery of community-based initiatives.