Incorporated as an independent Institute in April 2001, the Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute receives its mandate from the Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation through Resolution #96/64.

About Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities throughout the province of Ontario. These communities are grouped by Tribal Council according to region. Five NAN communities are unaffiliated with a specific Tribal Council.

NAN encompasses James Bay Treaty 9 territory and Ontario's portion of Treaty 5. NAN has a total land mass covering two-thirds of Ontario spanning an area of 210,000 square miles.

The total approximate populaton of NAN First Nation members (on and off reserve) is 45,000.

The people of Nishnawbe Aski traditionally speak Ojibway, Cree, and Ojicree.

Mandate

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) represents the legitimate socioeconomic and political aspirations of its First Nation members to all levels of government in order to allow local self-determination while establishing spiritual, cultural, social, and economic independence.

Objectives

• implementation of advocacy and policy directives from Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs-In-Assembly
• political advocacy to improve the quality of life for the people of Nishnawbe Aski in the areas of education, lands and resources, health, governance, and justice
• improved awareness and sustainability of the strong traditions, culture, and language of the people of Nishnawbe Aski through unity and nation building
• development and implementation of policies reflecting the aspirations and betterment of the people of Nishnawbe Aski
• strong partnership development and networks

Support and lobbying efforts throughout the 1980s and 1990s helped to establish several important institutions and agencies that NAN is proud to consider part of a strong partnership network.

Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose, Ex-Officio Member, Governing Council

Terry Waboose is a member of Eabametoong First Nation. He was raised in Miminiska, approximately 35 miles upstream from Eabametoong along the Albany River, until he was seven. Terry learned to appreciate the wealth and many gifts the land has to offer from his parents Elijah and Felicia Waboose and their parents and grandparents before them. The teachings of his parents and grandparents on hunting, fishing, trapping and living off the land are still a large part of Terry’s life today. Terry attended public school in Sioux Lookout.

Prior to his seven years in the position as inaugural Director of Governance Secretariat at NAN, Terry administered mining agreements during his work in Lands and Resources for Windigo Tribal First Nations Council for seven years. He was also part of Economic Development and Tourism and a policy analyst at Matawa First Nations Management.

August 2006 begins Terry’s first term as Deputy Grand Chief, however he has worked
diligently for NAN’s First Nations for the last sixteen years. Working for the betterment of the people of Nishnawbe Aski has been instilled in Terry since he was a child and he is eager to continue his work to improve the quality of life for the people of NAN well into the future.

To  learn more about Nishnawbe Aski Nation please visit http://www.nan.on.ca.