Governance Workshop

Governance comprises all of the processes of governing – whether undertaken by the government of a community or business over a social system (family, tribe, clan, formal, informal organization or territory) and whether through the laws, policies, power, language, traditions or societal norms of an organized society. It relates to "the processes of interaction and decision-making among those involved in a collective problem that lead to the creation, reinforcement, or reproduction of social norms and institutions. In lay terms, it could be described as the political processes that exist in and between formal institutions.

In the indigenous context, the Federal government enacted the Indian Act in 1876 that directs how First Nations manage themselves. The Act caused many issues for Indigenous members and communities by introducing a European-style of governance. This resulted in First Nations having to adapt to a new model of doing things and not being able to govern using centuries old systems that worked. This has created a great deal of difficulties for First Nation communities and members.