Attawapiskat First Nation

First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation

Moose Cree First Nation

New Post First Nation

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Missanabie Cree First Nation

Chief Theresa Hall

Attawapiskat First Nation

Andrew Linklater, Deputy Chief Fort Albany First Nation

ADOPTED BY CONSENSUS

Certified copy of a Resolution passed on September 12, 2002

September 12, 2002

Missanabie, Ontario

RESOLUTION NO. 2002-09-35

BILATERAL AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

WHEREAS the Mush.kegowuk Chiefs challenged Ontario and won their case against the province of Ontario halting the imposition of Ontario Works m First Nation communities, and;

WHEREAS the federal government has agreed to enter into bilateral arrangements for the delivery of social assistance and has provided funding to certain groups of First Nations for pilot projects to develop social assistance models provided that the interested groups meet the criteria to be funded as pilot projects, one criterion of which is 900 social assistance cases in order to be considered, and;

WHEREAS Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) has received funding on behalf of our Mushkegowuk First Nations to develop a NAN Social Assistance Model and is working with Moose Cree First Nation as a pilot site which would lead to a bilateral agreement with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) and the establishment of a NAN Social Services Commission to administer social assistance and to flow funding to the First Nation Welfare Departments, and;

WHEREAS the Mushkegowuk First Nations have the necessary numbers to be considered for a bilateral agreement, and;

Resolution No. 2002-09-35, Page 2

WHEREAS the Mushkegowuk Chiefs wish to continue with Mushkegowuk Council's original independent role in dealing with the Ontario Works issue and to enter into its own bilateral agreement with the federal government;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly give notice to Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Department of Indian Affairs of the desire and intention of Mushkegowuk Council to enter into its own bilateral agreement.