The Nisga'a self-government agreement of 1998 set off a firestorm of controversy. Seventeen years later - how are they doing?

CALGARY, Nov. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Frontier Centre for Public Policy has released "Self-Governance for First Nations – Beyond the Nisga'a Experience", an examination of First Nation self-governance written and researched by Jane Enright, Halina Sapeha and Conrad Winn. Aboriginal self- governance has been controversial with some fearing the devolution of powers would not result in good governance and economic performance. This research is designed to be a follow-up to a 2011 Frontier Centre study of Nisga'a.

The authors engaged COMPAS Research to survey the residents of four First Nations that had negotiated selfl-government. Residents of Westbank First Nation (Kelowna), Yukon First Nation, Cree of Northern Quebec and Sechelt First Nation (B.C.) were questioned on their perceptions of democracy, honesty, accountability (delivering on promises). The analysis compares their experiences with those of Nisga'a.

Jane Enright lived with and taught in First Nations communities. She is a marketing and research expert and also lectures at McMaster University and COMPAS COO. Halina Speha, PhD, is a research methodologist. She has held posts in international agencies and has worked both in Canada and abroad for COMPAS. Conrad Winn, PhD, is the founder of COMPAS. He is a professor of political science at Carleton University and has authored many books and professional articles.

"Self-Governance for First Nations – Beyond the Nisga'a Experience" can be found here: Self-Governance for First Nations

SOURCE Frontier Centre for Public Policy

Image with caption: "First Nation Self-Governance (CNW Group/Frontier Centre for Public Policy)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151117_C6809_PHOTO_EN_546618.jpg

Deb Solberg, C: [phone], E: [email protected]