E\’dbendaagzijig
Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act – Latest Updates
Anishinabek Nation Briefing to House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN): https://anishinabek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Brief-to-Standing-Committee-on-S-2-May-7_2026.pdf
Leadership Advocay at House of Commons
- Anishinabek Nation South East Regional Cheif Marsha Smoke, at Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN), Thursday, May 7, 2026: Click Here to Watch
- Deputy Chief Jeff Forbes gave a moving witness statement to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs on Bill S-2 An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements): Click Here to Watch
Webinar – January 22, 2026
Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige, the Anishinabek Nation Citizenship Commissioner Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, Southeast Regional Chief Marsha Smoke have an in-depth discussion on Bill S-2 that will affect Indian Status. Write to your MP to urge them to pass Bill S-2 with amendments.
UPDATE BILL S-2
WHAT IS BILL S2 Backgrounder
INDIAN ACT EVOLUTION
E’DBENDAAGZIJIG/CITIZENSHIP OVERVIEW
E’Dbendaagzijig is an Anishinaabemowin word that means “Those who belong” or “Citizenship”.
In 2009, the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council adopted the E’Dbendaagzijig Naaknigewin, a framework for Anishinabek First Nation citizenship laws. This framework law centres on the one-parent rule and is based on the inherent right of self-determination. The Citizenship Law with the support of the E-Niiganwidood E’Dbendaagzijig , Dr. Jeannette Corbiere Lavell was the response to the Government of Canada’s Indian Status termination policies. The proposed law is a guiding document, akin to, and integrating Anishinaabe Law and principles as expressed in Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe (One Anishinaabe Family). More recently a Declaration was established in 2025 to advance the law.
“The Anishinabek Nation Declaration on E’Dbendaagzijig will further support Anishinaabe First Nations to assert our nationhood and implement our Anishinaabe citizenship laws”, said Dr. Jeannette Corbiere Lavell. “Our solution to the second-generation cut-off, voting thresholds, and the Indian Act is our Inherent Rights, Anishinaabe Law, and our Treaty Rights.”
Dr. Corbiere Lavell has been a member of the Indigenous Advisory Process (IAP) since Canada launched the Collaborative Process on the Second-Generation Cut-Off and the Section 10 Voting Thresholds in November 2023. In December 2024, Phase 2, the Consultation Activities and Events Stage, was set in motion.
Canada is undertaking its Collaborative Process because of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and its United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which became law on June 21, 2021. Under the Act, the Government of Canada must work in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to “take all measures necessary to ensure the laws of Canada are consistent with the UNDRIP.” In Canada’s Action Plan, Chapter 2 – First Nation Priorities, Canada’s objective is to seek solutions “to make the Indian Act registration and band membership provisions more consistent with the UN Declaration until a clear consensus on a way forward on comprehensive change or the Act’s repeal is possible.”
As Canada makes plans for amendments to and the repeal of the Indian Act, we are at a crucial time.
E’Dbendaagzijig Virtual Sessions Playlist
E’Dbendaagzijig with Marsha Smoke, Anishinabek Nation Southeast Regional Chief
Marsha Smoke, Anishinabek Nation Southeast Regional Chief, explains how the Anishinabek Nation is asserting the inherent right to decide who our citizens are. To move this forward, the Anishinabek Nation created a Draft Declaration on E’Dbendaagzijig in 2025, and our own citizenship law, the E-Dbendaagzijig Naaknigewin in 2009. “E’Dbendaagzijig” is an Anishinaabemowin word that means “Those who belong,” or “Citizenship.”
