Guidelines for band councils

results of another poll

Read THIS then answer the poll on the right-hand side of the page.  (psssst... the other right-hand)  ;)


Most people who get elected to band councils think they know how to be a good councillor. Pah! They've learned from the very worst - Indian Affairs people from the Federal Government. As I've indicated in a previous post, it my contention that the band council at Kanehsatà:ke is an example of the very worst type of band council:

• secretive,
• mean,
• arrogant,
• insecure,
• dismissive, 
• contemptuous of labour rights,
• know-it-all yet incredibly ignorant,
• afraid of competence and experience, 
• autocratic, and
• MEAN (did I already say mean?).

Things could be better if the band council would simply have accepted band council training, training in basic governance. If it had taken such training at the beginning, this band council might not be the nation-wide laughing stock it's become.

No guarantees - I'm just saying.

The band council should:

• develop and evaluate plans, policies and programs for the whole community;
• prepare, enact and apply bylaws and resolutions for the whole community; and
• ensure that work on behalf of the community are carried out ethically, honestly and
• appropriately
• schedule regular, open to the public, band council meetings;
• publish and provide to the community a detailed agenda sufficiently in advance of band council meetings.

Roles and responsibilities of band councillors:

• consult and abide by the views and wishes of people of Kanehsatà:ke;
• understand the issues and what people want;
• prepare, read information, provide information to people in the community, consult with people, attend meetings at or on behalf of the band council, make decisions, and vote;
• attend band council meetings and vote on issues; 
• exercise or assign authority (applies to each band councillor);
• debate decisions internally and then “speak with one voice”; 
• consider what is in the best interest of all the people and not just one faction or group;
• speak up for people at meetings or when dealing with other governments or agencies; 
• do what you promised (at least try) when you were elected or appointed.

       Make decisions

• consult with community people;
• gather information, prepare research, consult with senior employees and other experts;
• review relevant reports, documents, articles; 
• consider issues and consequences for community;
• present position based on what has been learned;
• support the decision of the council.

        Draft, enact and apply policies / bylaws / resolutions

• band council decisions are made formal and/or legal by passing policies, bylaws and resolutions that flow from community necessities and desires, and its support;
• know the differences between policies (guidelines for conduct), bylaws (rules), and resolutions (commitments for action).

       Develop a vision, strategic plan and budget

• create a vision in consultation with the community and then share it with the community;
• create a strategic plan in consultation with the community, then share the plan with the community;
• create a budget in consultation with the community, then share the budget with the community;
• create a capital investment plan in consultation with the community and then share this plan with the community;
• create other plans that help the band council meet community goals.

Role of the head or chief band councillor

1. act as head of the band council; 
2. hire a senior administrative officer (SAO) responsible for the day-to-day affairs and all band council staff;
3. chair band council meetings to deal with mainly policy matters - not administrative matters; 
4. set meeting agenda and time limits, ensure that agenda is widely distributed to community; 
5. act as the main representative and spokesperson on behalf of the whole band
   council; 
6. supervise the activities of the senior administrative officer (SAO or band manager).

Relations among members of the band council:

1. To be effective, members of the band council need to work as a team. Principles for working together may include: 
2. arrive prepared for meetings; 
3. listen to and respect the views of others;
4. ask appropriate questions of other members; 
5. attend meetings with an open mind;
6. speak about the issues, not the person; 
7. as required, agree to disagree;
8. respect and support decisions once they are made; 
9. speak with one voice.

General guidelines for a band council

1. set rules for operating as a band council; 
2. help each member stick to the band councilʼs own rules; 
3. focus on the big picture (where you want your band council and community to go); 
4. establish a framework for the band councilʼs sole employee – the senior
   administration officer (SAO) – to work within; 
5. supervise the SAO to ensure expectations are met.
   Relations between the band council and staff
6.  the band council (via the Head or Chief Councillor) supervises one staff member – the senior administrative officer (SAO);
7. the band council hires, directs, evaluates and retains the SAO;
8. the band council defines the SAOʼs authority and responsibilities;
9. the band council sets broad direction and policies; and 
10. the SAO is responsible for implementing the councilʼs directions/policies by directing day-to-day operations

NEVER:

1. micro-manage – dictate day to day operations, or the daily work of the SAO; 
2. require band council approval on everyday operational issues; 
3. offload or defer band council responsibilities or decisions onto the SAO; 
4. wander from the band councilʼs strategic direction;
5. pull the band council in many different directions; 
6. lose focus of long term goals; 
7. lose touch with community;
8. issue personal opinions as public statements;
9. do the staffʼs work; 
10. avoid or cancel meetings.

After reading this page, do you think the band council at Kanehsatà:ke is following these guidelines. If it is, then say so. If it isn't then now is the best time to speak and be heard.


"The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. " - Steve Biko