A code of conduct is an important element of good governance because it acts as a guideline for ethical decision making. It also encourages positive working relationships and acts as a reference for solving ethical issues in the workplace.
The code of conduct applies to Council, officers, employees, committee members, contractors, and agents of the First Nation and must be included in employee contracts, contracts for service, and when approving someone as an agent or to serve on the Finance and Audit Committee.
An organization runs more smoothly if it is clear who has the authority to do what and when. To do this, Council must create a policy for the delegation of responsibilities for people involved with the First Nation including an officer, employee, committee, contractor, or agent.
Council is still responsible for the First Nation’s administration even if some responsibilities are delegated to others.
Sample Authorization and Delegation table (DOCX)
Sample Council Delegation of Duty (DOCX)
Sample Implementation Notes (DOCX)
As part of a sound governance structure, Council will need to create a policy that describes how all policies and procedures of the First Nation will be created and put into practice.
Under the FAL, only Council can approve financial administration policies and Council must keep a current list of these. Also, all financial administration policies of the First Nation must
“This paper discusses the policy issues using confidential documents from the Department of Finance Canada under the federal Access-to-Information Act.”
“This paper compares the welfare conditions, policy challenges and opportunities for Aboriginal peoples in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Our objective is to point to some of the common challenges facing Aboriginal social policies in different countries. What can we learn from experiences elsewhere to build Canada’s social knowledge as it relates to Aboriginal peoples?”
“The road to poverty may get shorter for on-reserve First Nations people throughout the country. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is working to ensure its 47-year-old income assistance policy remains in force.”
"Contends that the basis for generating revenues from property relies on one of two sources: section 91(3) of the Constitution Act of 1867, or section 35(1) of the Constitution Act of 1982 and that the scope of power may depend on which source has been used."
"This bulletin summarizes the CRA’s policy concerning the treatment of supplies made to, or by, Indians, Indian bands and band-empowered entities under the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST)."
Aboriginal Business and Community Development Centre (ABDC)
Year of publication:
2008
"This Research Issues Paper is intended to guide discussions in the first stage of the Network, by identifying an initial set of issues which arise from the academic literature on urban Aboriginal communities. The Paper is organized around a series of contexts that confront those as they work to develop their economies, participate in the wage economy, and develop a business sector. These include:
1) the socio-demographic context
2) the jurisdictional context
3) the policy context
4) the institutional context, and
5) the program context.
"This paper is intended to guide network discussions by identifying an initial set of issues which arise from the academic literature on urban Aboriginal communities. The paper is organized around a series of contexts that confront those as they work to develop their economies, participate in the wage economy, and develop a business sector. These include the socio-demographic context, the jurisdictional context, the policy context, the institutional context and the program context.
