Custom Council

The Custom Council: A Modern Expression of Traditional Cree Kinship

The Custom Council is a form of contemporary adaptation to traditional governance. It is deeply rooted in the traditional Nehiyawak kinship systems, wāhkōhtowin ᐚᐦᑰᐦᑑᐏᐣ, a concept that emphasizes interconnectedness, respect, and mutual support. Wāhkōhtowin ᐚᐦᑰᐦᑑᐏᐣ emphasizes the shared responsibilities to communicate with each other the current state of affairs regarding the Red Earth Cree Nation.

The Custom Council is made of twelve original family clans who signed in agreement that they would represent the peoples in advising the Chief and Council, and acting as the main body for communication before, during, and after the Legislative Assembly.

In Cree culture, kinship is more than just family ties—it’s a system of responsibilities and relationships that bind the community together. By basing the Custom Council on these traditional kinship systems, the Red Earth Cree Nation ensures that its governance structure remains aligned with its cultural values. This approach protects the rights of families, preserves the wisdom of the elders, and maintains the strength and unity of our community.

Convening Role of the Custom Council

The Council is composed of 12 elected spokespersons, each representing one of the 12 original family clans that came together in the spirit of the 1992 Convention.

The Custom Council is responsible for setting its own rules for credentials, decorum, and procedure. The Council includes representatives from the following family clans: The Daniels family clan, The Garvin family clan, The Head family clan, The McKay family clan, The Nawakayas family clan, The Sanderson family clan, The Umperville family clan, The Lathlin family clan, The Voyageur family clan, The Whitehead family clan, The Whitecap family clan, and The Young family clan, as well as any members of the Red Earth Cree Nation through kinship relationships to the original 12 family clans.

This Council ensures that the voices of the Red Earth Cree Nation are heard and respected in the decision-making process, reflecting the deep cultural ties and responsibilities that bind the community together.