Establishing Institutions of Good Governance [The Banff Centre]

Institution building is a necessary step for Aboriginal nations and political organizations to achieve successful nationhood. Research has shown that asserting Aboriginal jurisdiction or local sovereignty without establishing effective, culturally legitimate institutions results in unhealthy communities that remain in poverty. Those who set up effective, culturally appropriate institutions are economically successful and able to revitalize their culture and language as a result of the financial resources generated. They set up institutions such as the rule of law, separation of politics from business, and accountability to their citizens. They became less dependent on government transfer payments and also became politically and economically powerful. Institutions do affect the performance of political and economic systems.