Dr. Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, Anishinabek Nation E-niiganwidood E’Dbendaagzijig (Citizenship Commissioner), explains how the Anishinabek Nation is asserting the inherent right to decide who our citizens are. The Anishinabek Nation created a Draft Declaration on E'Dbendaagzijig in 2025, and endorsed our own citizenship law, the E-Dbendaagzijig Naaknigewin in 2009. "E'Dbendaagzijig" is an Anishinaabemowin word that means "Those who belong.”

A longtime advocate for Indigenous women’s rights, Dr. Jeannette Corbiere Lavell shares her memories of the Indigenous youth movement in Toronto in the early 1970s, and her groundbreaking legal challenge of Section 12(1)(b) of the Indian Act, in a case that laid the foundation for changes to the Indian Act in 1985.
Despite incremental changes to the Indian Act, the federal government still retains the power to determine who is registered as a "status Indian," and how this status is passed down to future generations. Under the Indian Act's "two-parent rule" or "second-generation cutoff", First Nations are at risk of having significantly fewer members in the years to come. The E’Dbendaagzijig Naaknigewin, a framework for Anishinabek First Nation citizenship laws, centres on the one-parent rule and is based on the inherent right of self-determination.

Dr. Jeannette Corbiere Lavell urges all Anishinabek citizens to learn more about the Declaration on E'Dbendaagzijig and E-Dbendaagzijig Naaknigewin, as they are important tools to help our Anishinabek First Nations develop their own citizenship laws and ensure that we "bring our members back into our family circle."
This podcast is produced by the Communications Department at the Anishinabek Nation.

Music:
“Brothers” by Wolf Saga and Chippewa Travellers, licenced by Nagamo Publishing.
“Sisters” by Wolf Saga/Chippewa Travellers/David R. Maracle, licenced by Nagamo Publishing.
“Night Stars” by Wolf Saga/Chippewa Travellers/David R. Maracle, licenced by Nagamo Publishing.
Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/dk64ipmvrjrfpntr/S2E2_Corbiere_Lavell_Transcript_FINAL_2025-05-28.pdf

Links and Resources:
Anishinabek Nation E’Debendaagzijig (Those who belong)
https://anishinabek.ca/departments/governanceactivities/edbendaagzijig/

E’Dbendaagzijig declaration drafted at gathering
https://anishinabeknews.ca/2025/02/20/edbendaagzijig-declaration-drafted-at-gathering/
Anishinabek Nation citizens invited to join dialogue on Anishinabek self-determination and unity
https://anishinabeknews.ca/2025/03/14/anishinabek-nation-citizens-invited-to-join-dialogue-on-anishinabek-self-determination-and-unity/
The Collaborative Process on the Second-Generation Cut-off and Section 10 Voting Thresholds
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1706281094364/1706281216732
The Indian Act: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-5/FullText.html