First Nation Councils

First Nation Councils must act in the best interests of the First Nation. They must avoid situations where a councillor’s or the Chief’s personal interests conflict with what is best for the First Nation. They must disclose any personal interest they have that might be a conflict. They cannot use their position to profit or gain an advantage.

First Nation Councils:

• do business for the First Nation by doing things like signing contracts
• represent the First Nation in dealing with the government
• maintain roads and bridges on reserves and provide other types of services on the reserve
• pass bylaws
• give members the right to possess reserve land (subject to approval by the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada unless there is a Land Code)

Some decisions need to be made by a vote of all First Nation Members, not just the council. These include:

• taking control of membership and passing a Membership Code
• surrendering reserve land
• approving a Land Code