"Evidence suggests that poor governance is a principal cause of the sorry conditions in many First Nations communities"

CALGARY, Sept. 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Frontier Centre for Public Policy has released John Graham's insightful paper "Closing the Well-being Gap Through Improved First Nation Governance". Graham points to evidence suggesting that the abysmal conditions found in many First Nations communities are caused to a large degree by poor governance. The question remains; how to improve governance in these communities? Graham offers that three factors are imperative; political leadership, managerial and technical capacity and broad citizen support.

This paper offers a startling contrast between the dismal record of First Nation governance with the formation of the EU and the entrance of Soviet Bloc satellite countries including Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and others.  He suggests that a well-designed accreditation (certification) system could have a positive influence and an "impact similar to the EU strategy in encouraging significant and sustainable governance changes". Graham states that this could be a successful system if it were designed by First Nation communities, the Federal government and managed by an independent First Nation organization.

John Graham is a senior executive with over 25 years' experience working with First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Aboriginal communities. He has conducted over 400 Aboriginal oriented projects and has spoken at numerous conferences. He is chair of the Board of Directors of Help Lesotho, an international development NGO based in Ottawa.

John Graham's "Closing the Well-Being Gap Through Improved First Nation Governance" can be found here: Closing the Well-Being Gap Though Improved First Nation Governance

About the Frontier Centre for Public Policy

The Frontier Centre for Public Policy is an innovative research and education charity registered in both Canada and the United States. Founded in 1999 by philanthropic foundations seeking to help voters and policy makers improve their understanding of the economy and public policy, our mission is to develop ideas that change the world.

SOURCE Frontier Centre for Public Policy

Image with caption: "Closing the Well-Being Gap Through Improved First Nation Governance (CNW Group/Frontier Centre for Public Policy)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150915_C7554_PHOTO_EN_496205.jpg

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