Key considerations in designing mechanismsfor First Nations service delivery, funding and governance

David Ploquin

DRAFT (for internal discussion)

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PurposeTo sketch out some stylized (i.e. simplified) system maps of some key considerations in the design of First Nations service delivery, funding and accountability mechanisms including the nature of interactions between themTo prompt discussion of their relative importance and of key considerations that may be missing

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DRAFT (for internal discussion)

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Governance / accountability context

Service delivery and funding

Questions for further consideration

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First Nations service delivery and funding arrangements are imbedded in a broader governance systemThey depend critically on:the need for government intervention (i.e. where self-help and family/community supports are inadequate)a communitys capacity for (self-) governancethe actual practice of holding authorities accountable to the entire communityGovernance / accountability contextFirst Nations service delivery and funding arrangements are imbedded in a broader governance system

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Reinforcement(positive feedback)

Attenuation(negative feedback)Key policyconcerns?Size ofcommunityspopulation baseGovernance capacity of the communityCommunity-based media /civil societyAccountability to the communitySize of communitys economic baseNeed for government policy interventionsCapacity for individualself-help and family supportCapacity for community-based social supportSocial cohesionwithin the community

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Reinforcement (positive feedback)

Attenuation(negative feedback)Key policyconcerns?

Service / funding arrangementspolicy spaceLocal taxation of community residentsExternal funding of services (by other governments)Service delivery by community authoritiesService delivery by other governmentsAccountability to the general publicGovernmenttogovernmentaccountabilityGovernance / accountability contextSocial cohesionwithin the communitySize ofcommunityspopulation baseGovernance capacity of the communitySize of communitys economic baseCommunity-based media /civil societyAccountability to the communityNeed for government policy interventionsCapacity for individualself-help and family supportCapacity for community-based social support

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Communityspopulation baseCommunitys economic baseEducation / skill levelsAccess to outside resourcesEconomies of scaleService delivery by community authoritiesCultural sensitivity of servicesInternal governancecapacityAvailable human resourcesCommunity cohesion

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Reinforcement (positive feedback)

Attenuation(negative feedback)Key policyconcerns?In a similar vein, First Nations service delivery and funding arrangements must also reflect the powers First Nations can actually (and want to) exercise in practiceService delivery and funding

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Service / funding arrangementspolicy spaceAccess to outsideservicesCommunity acquisition of outside servicesAbility to adapt acquired services(to cultural / other needs)

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Reinforcement (positive feedback)

Attenuation(negative feedback)Key policyconcerns?

Individual acquisition of outside servicesCommunityspopulation baseAvailable human resourcesCommunitys economic baseEducation / skill levelsAccess to outside resourcesEconomies of scaleService delivery by community authoritiesInternal governancecapacityCultural sensitivity of servicesCommunity cohesionService delivery and funding

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Service / funding arrangementspolicy spaceAccess to outsideservicesExternal taxation of community residentsExternal funding (from other governments)Community acquisition of outside servicesLocal taxation of community residentsAbility to adapt acquired services(to cultural / other needs)Communitys tax baseAvailable community funds

Legend

Reinforcement (positive feedback)

Attenuation(negative feedback)Key policyconcerns?

Individual acquisition of outside servicesCommunityspopulation baseAvailable human resourcesCommunitys economic baseEducation / skill levelsAccess to outside resourcesEconomies of scaleService delivery by community authoritiesInternal governancecapacityCultural sensitivity of servicesCommunity cohesionService delivery and funding

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DRAFT (for internal discussion)

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Questions for further considerationWhich service areas lend themselves to achieving economies of scale?Which service areas are the most culturally sensitive?(and which of these may lend themselves to adaptation of outside provision?)In which areas would it make sense for First Nations to pool their resources under the umbrella of a joint service delivery authority?How do governance / accountability dynamics differ in cases where First Nations did choose to pool their resources in this way?

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