Role and Mission
All member AANTC Community Chiefs are part of the political board, in addition to a Grand Chief who is the spokesman of the Nation, a Vice Grand Chief and three representatives; one for women, one for youth and one for Elders. These representatives are elected for four years by the members of our communities. The AANTC is one of the few Aboriginal organizations in Canada where all representatives are elected by the community members.
The Political Council meets on average ten times a year and they are called upon as needed. They discuss major issues affecting the Algonquin Nation and adopt positions on these issues. The council's first priority is the protection of First Nations’ rights in general, and more specifically those of the Anishinabe people. One of the key files discussed at the Council’s table is the issue of Nitakinan, the Algonquin ancestral territory, the map of which was officially presented to the Canadian government in April 2010.
The Council is also looking at the issue of resource exploitation within the Nitakinan territory, especially in regards to exploitation by logging and mining companies, and companies who exploit hunting and fishing activities.
The Council is also concerned with territorial overlapping with its neighboring nations and wants to find ways to resolve these issues, and develop a memorandum of understanding with other nations.
The Political Council is working to create a movement of unity for the Algonquin Nation. Its members are concerned with all matters related to the financing of health, education, public security and social services in each community.