September 25 Community Deputation – Question & Answer Minutes
1. Beach Camping, Signage and Enforcement
Question: How is the Nation addressing unauthorized camping and use of community beach areas, and who is responsible for enforcement?
Summary of Response: Chief and Council confirmed that camping is not permitted on community beaches. Signage has been installed at public beach areas outlining access and appropriate use, and the Nation has also addressed an online listing that had incorrectly identified the community as a free camping location.
Council noted that non-Band member residents continue to have access to the beaches; however, private events are not permitted on public beach areas.
For safety reasons, members were encouraged not to confront unauthorized campers or attempt to enforce the rules themselves. Concerns involving trespassing or unauthorized camping should be reported to police.
2. Financial Audits
Question: Where is the Nation’s most recent financial audit, and what is the status of outstanding audits?
Summary of Response: Council advised that the most recently completed audit is for the 2022–23 fiscal year and was accepted by Council on February 23, 2026.
The Nation completes several separate audits, including Revenue Account, Housing, Education, OFNLP/Casino funding and SON Finance Corporation audits. Council also noted that the Nation currently operates five separate accounting systems and has plans to upgrade its financial systems.
At the time of the Deputation, Council provided the following anticipated schedule:
- 2023–24 audit: expected by September 18, 2026
- 2024–25 audit: expected around December 2026 or January 2027
- 2025–26 audit: expected by May 2027
Council acknowledged that the Nation has fallen behind on completing its audits and is working to bring them up to date.
Council also advised that Finance maintains current information on the Nation’s Own-Source Revenue, with information available through the May 25, 2026 Council meeting minutes. An annual membership meeting is planned to discuss the 2022–23 audit and provide an updated Own-Source Revenue report.
There are also currently two vacant positions on the Nation’s Finance and Audit Committee.
3. Second-Generation Cut-Off and Potential Membership Growth
Question: How is the Nation preparing for the potential removal of the second-generation cut-off under the Indian Act, including impacts on housing, services, infrastructure and funding?
Summary of Response: Council explained that proposed legislative changes relating to the second-generation cut-off had not yet been passed and that additional consultation with First Nations is required regarding the legal and financial impacts.
Council had not developed a specific implementation plan at the time of the Deputation but expressed concern that changes to registration could place additional pressure on housing, programs and services that are already experiencing capacity challenges.
Council referenced 2025 Indigenous Services Canada information indicating that 1,216 of Nawash’s 2,919 registered members were registered under section 6(2), representing approximately 41.66% of the registered population who may be unable to pass entitlement to their children unless the other parent is also entitled.
Council noted that the Nation already subsidizes portions of several programs and services and expressed concern that existing federal funding approaches may not adequately address the needs associated with increased membership.
Chief and Council have met with Indigenous Services Canada and advocated for appropriate consultation, increased resources and recognition of federal per-capita funding obligations.
Council also identified the future development of a Nawash Membership Law as important work so that the Nation can have greater authority over its own membership.
4. Community-Based Justice and Enforcement
Question: Would Chief and Council consider exploring a community court or other locally based justice and enforcement systems?
Summary of Response: Council explained that community safety, policing, community laws and restorative justice are identified priorities within the Comprehensive Community Plan.
Goals identified in the plan include establishing a community-run police service, developing a Crisis Outreach and Support Team, creating community laws, developing emergency response planning and reinstating a Restorative Justice program.
Creating a full community court is not currently being pursued. Council noted that funding, jurisdiction, community capacity and population size would all need to be considered.
The Nation previously operated an Alternative Justice program, but the program was short-lived due to a lack of funding. Council has also considered reinstating a By-law Enforcement Officer; however, this position would likely need to be funded through Own-Source Revenue.
Council indicated that restorative justice may be more consistent with Anishinaabe laws, values and principles related to healing and collective well-being. Developing Nation-specific laws and justice systems would require significant work and community engagement.
5. Roads and Long-Term Infrastructure Planning
Question: How are road and infrastructure projects prioritized, and is there a long-term infrastructure plan that can be shared with members?
Summary of Response: Council discussed ongoing and planned infrastructure work throughout the community.
Some road improvements cannot be completed permanently until outstanding waterline work is addressed. Council also noted that a proper road study is required and that a plan must be submitted to Indigenous Services Canada as part of the process for advancing road improvements.
Council discussed other infrastructure priorities, including the Community Centre, arena and ball diamond, and acknowledged the need for broader long-term capital and infrastructure planning.
Updates on projects and infrastructure work will continue to be shared through the Nawash website, community newsletter and app.
6. More Frequent Community Meetings and Engagement
Question: Will Chief and Council provide more regular opportunities for members to receive updates, ask questions and participate in discussions on major community issues?
Summary of Response: Chief and Council confirmed that additional opportunities for community engagement are planned.
The Community Deputation was introduced as a pilot initiative, and Council indicated an interest in continuing Deputation meetings on a regular basis following a review of community feedback and the effectiveness of the pilot format.
Council also discussed holding quarterly community meetings to provide broader updates and receive input from members.
Renovations to the Community Centre were expected to continue until December 2026, limiting the availability of larger community meeting spaces in the immediate term. Broader community meetings were anticipated once the facility becomes available again.
Council identified several subjects that will require future community information and engagement, including land claims, Treaty 82, SON environmental initiatives, water protection, policing, fisheries management, nuclear projects and waste management.
Council also noted that specific engagement sessions will be required for major proposed projects affecting the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory.
7. Treaty Money
Question: Why did members of other First Nations receive treaty settlement money while Nawash members did not?
Summary of Response: Council explained that the treaties involving the Saugeen Ojibway Nation are different from the Robinson-Huron-Superior Treaties signed in 1850.
The Robinson-Huron-Superior Treaties contain provisions for annual annuity payments. Nawash is not part of that treaty annuity process.
Council explained that Treaty 45½, signed in 1836, opened up approximately 1.5 million acres of land for settlement and did not contain an ongoing cash annuity provision. Treaty 72, signed in 1854, opened up approximately 500,000 acres of the Saugeen Peninsula for settlement, with specific reserve lands set aside and capital funds to be generated through land sales.
Council indicated that additional historical research relating to treaty funds could be explored further, including through Elders, existing land claim records and historical resources.
Council also noted that the Nation continues to have its own treaty, land claim and related negotiations underway.
8. Comprehensive Community Plan
Question: What is the status of the 2025–2035 Comprehensive Community Plan, when will the final version be shared, and how are its priorities being implemented?
Summary of Response: Council confirmed that the Comprehensive Community Plan has been accepted.
The draft 2025–2035 Comprehensive Community Plan was posted to the Nawash website on July 3, 2025, and Council formally accepted the plan through Motion #1192 on February 2, 2026.
Chief and Council held a Comprehensive Community Plan priorities session from March 10–12, 2026 to begin identifying priority areas and implementation steps.
The plan has been distributed to Nation programs so that departments can begin incorporating relevant recommendations into their work.
Council noted that a detailed implementation plan still requires further refinement and that Own-Source Revenue will also need to be reviewed to determine the Nation’s financial capacity to implement the plan’s recommendations.
Council acknowledged that continued community involvement, monitoring and follow-up will be important as implementation progresses.
9. Hope Bay Settlement and Lands
Question: What is happening with the Hope Bay settlement, how will members receive ongoing updates, and what is planned for the associated lands?
Summary of Response: Council provided an update on the Hope Bay settlement funds and indicated that there were no current plans for significant expenditures from the settlement.
Council also discussed funds associated with a housing-related expenditure and indicated that funds would be moved back to top up the Hope Bay account.
During discussion about the associated lands, Council indicated that decisions regarding their future use would require broader community discussion and membership involvement.
No specific schedule for ongoing Hope Bay settlement updates was provided during the response.
10. Boil Water Advisory
Question: What is the current status of the Boil Water Advisory, when might it be lifted, and what is being done to permanently resolve it?
Summary of Response: Council confirmed that the Boil Water Advisory remains in effect and that community members should continue following all recommended precautions when using water for drinking, cooking, food preparation, brushing teeth or other activities where water may be consumed.
The advisory has been in place since January 2019, primarily because the former Water Treatment Plant did not meet current treatment standards.
The new Water Treatment Plant has been operating since October 2024. During commissioning and early operations, the Water Department addressed several issues, including electrical fluctuations, construction deficiencies, equipment alarms and chemical-feed system concerns.
Council reported that significant progress has been made and that the treatment process is now operating in compliance with regulatory requirements. Water leaving the Water Treatment Plant currently meets required standards.
The remaining concern is the community’s water distribution system. At the time of the Deputation, approximately 600,000 to 650,000 liters of water per day were being lost through leaks in the system.
These leaks can create potential pathways for contamination during changes in water pressure or flow, including during watermain breaks, fires or other significant events.
The Water Treatment Department continues to identify, document and address leaks throughout the community. This work is required to strengthen the distribution system and meet the conditions necessary before the Boil Water Advisory can be lifted.
11. Economic Development and Community Projects
Question: What resources and processes are available to move community and economic development projects forward, what are the main barriers, and how can members become involved?
Summary of Response: Council highlighted several resources available to support economic development, entrepreneurship and community projects.
The Nation has an Economic Development Officer who can assist individuals interested in entrepreneurship and private business development.
Resources discussed included financing through Tecumseh Community Development Corporation, federal funding and loan programs, employment and training support through HAAMB and potential Coldwater Trust support for private businesses.
Council also noted that the Nation has invested in the Nawash Economic Development Corporation, which is currently working on the Highway 6 Gas Station project and is expected to explore additional economic opportunities.
Access to capital and project-management capacity were identified as significant barriers. Council discussed the need for a dedicated project-management position and opportunities to work with HAAMB on related training.
Council also identified Cape Croker Park, maple syrup operations, transmission-related Own-Source Revenue and other partnerships as examples of economic development activity.
Community input and participation will remain important when major projects are being considered. Members interested in entrepreneurship or economic development opportunities were encouraged to connect with the Nation’s Economic Development Department.
12. Self-Government and Greater Community Control
Question: Is the Nation working toward stronger self-government, including greater control over finances, laws, services and economic opportunities?
Summary of Response: Council confirmed that stronger self-government and self-determination are long-term priorities. Work discussed included developing Nation-specific laws, a constitution, membership and election codes, and increasing own-source revenues. Economic development and Nation-owned businesses were also identified as important to becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on government-controlled funding. Council emphasized that community involvement will be important as this work moves forward.