Elders Forum

NWMO Elders Forum and Niigani

Early in the NWMO's work we reached out to Aboriginal people, organizations and communities to better understand Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge and how it might inform and become an integral part of our work. As a result of this, recognized Aboriginal organizations were invited to recommend to the NWMO, two Elders to sit on a group that would provide wisdom and advice in engaging with Aboriginal peoples as our work evolves.

The Elders Forum was formed in 2005 and has met each year since.The Elders Forum is made up of First Nation, Métis and Inuit members who represent a broad range of interests such as Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge, political affairs, community development, health and welfare, Aboriginal communications, cultural life of community and relationships, community protocols, treaty and historical relationships and youth interests.

Each Elder appointed to the Elders Forum is also invited to ask a youth to attend the Forum with him/her to act as a support and to learn from Elders in their discussion with the NWMO to promote the intergenerational learning that we believe is so important in the long-term nature of our work.

Jim Sinclair

June 3, 1933 – November 9, 2012

The NWMO mourns the loss of a long-term member of the NWMO Elders Forum who passed away on November 9th, 2012.

“Aboriginal leader Jim Sinclair passed away with his family by his side on November 9, 2012. For over 50 fifty years, Jim championed Treaty and Aboriginal rights of Indigenous peoples and left an indelible mark on the international stage that will be felt for generations to come. As a founding member of both the Native Council of Canada and the Métis National Council and past President of the Association of Métis and Non- Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS), Jim’s passion and commitment to equal justice for his people will live on forever. His great oratory ability moved people and governments to deal with Aboriginal people’s immediate needs and rights. His work led to the creation of many institutions including the Gabriel Dumont Institute, the Saskatchewan Native Economic Development Corporation, Métis Addictions Council, Urban Native Housing Corporation and Provincial Métis Housing Corporation. In 1982, he was one of the prominent leaders that successfully lobbied to have the Métis included in the Canadian Constitution. Widely recognized for his work, Jim received numerous awards including the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Canadian Senate, the Métis Women of Saskatchewan, the Métis National Council and the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.”1

Jim was involved with the NWMO early in the study phase (2002-2005) of our work, through workshops to explore the interweaving of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge and science and was a member of the Elders Forum, and its working group Niigani, from its formation in 2005 to 2012. During those years, Jim contributed a great deal of his time and efforts to the work of the NWMO. He was always an outspoken member and shared his ideas and experiences which led to policy development and project ideas. Jim always spoke of the need to respect Aboriginal treaty rights in all of NWMO’s processes. It was an honor to have Jim Sinclair be a part of the NWMO’s Elders Forum and it is a great loss to the NWMO and to all of the people who came to know him throughout his contributions to the NWMO.

1 Regina Leader Post, November 10, 2012

Mission Statement

Protect and preserve all creation: air, land, fire, water, plants, medicines, animals and human kind - guided by the seven universal teachings of love, trust, sharing, honesty, humility, respect and wisdom.

Elders Forum members

It is important to note that members of the Elders Forum are not at the Forum as representatives of the recommending organization. Rather, they are asked to offer what insight and wisdom they have as individuals.

Reports from each Elders Forum are posted on the NWMO website.

In 2006 the NWMO Aboriginal Working Group, Niigani, was formed from among the members of the Elders Forum to provide the NWMO with ongoing advice during the year between Elders Forum meetings.

	NWMO Elders Forum 10 Report, November 2011
	NWMO Elder's Forum 9 Report, November 2011
	Elders Forum 8, October 2010 The Elders Forum met in camera (Elders Forum 8) in October 2010.  No written report of proceedings was provided to the NWMO for posting on the NWMO website. A verbal debriefing was provided to the NWMO by Elders Forum members, including the need to restructure the Elders Forum and initial thoughts on how best to proceed.  These ideas were reflected in material which was jointly developed with members of the Elders Forum. That material was the foundation for the restructuring documents  presented  and discussed at Elders Forum 9 and Elders Forum 10.
	NWMO Elder's Forum 7 Report, July 2010
	NWMO Elders' Forum 6 Report, July 2009
	NWMO Elders' Forum 5 Report, April 2009
	NWMO Elders' Forum 4 Report, June 2008
	NWMO Elders' Forum 3 Report, August 2007
	NWMO Elders' Forum 2 Report, October 2006
	NWMO Elders' Forum 1 Report, August 2005
	Appendix 3: Presentation
	Niigani

Report of the Elders Forum and Niigani 2005–2010

Established in 2005, the NWMO Elders Forum and its working group, Niigani, have been providing advice to the NWMO on a range of important topics. The Elders initiated development of a report to summarize their advice. In this report, Elders review the advice provided to the NWMO by the Forum since its establishment in 2005 and describe their relationship with the NWMO.

As noted in the report, “…Elders want to give the best advice they can to the NWMO so they requested a written report be completed to record the highlights of their advice…It is our view that a written text will document our legacy and will enhance and protect the credibility of the relationship between the Elders Forum and the NWMO.” The report was submitted by the Elders Forum to the NWMO Board of Directors and was included in the NWMO Triennial Report 2008 to 2010.

	Report of the Elders Forum and Niigani 2005–2010
	Triennial Report 2008 to 2010
	Council of Elders Terms of Reference - March, 2012

Redevelopment Process of Elders Forum

Recently we completed over two years of work on developing a terms of reference for the council of Elders that advise the NWMO. For details, click here

	Redevelopment Process of Elders Forum