The Strategic Plan for the Opaskwayak Organization

In November 2019, Opaskwayak began a strategic planning process with 100 community leaders. Over 2 – 2 day sessions, elders, members of Chief and Council, branch board members, administration, executive directors and management staff talked about the future of Opaskwayak, the priorities they saw for the organization  and how all leaders could come together in collaboration to support Mino Pimâtisiwin.

Through the spirit of our ancestors and our Opaskwayak Ininewuk and the spirit of our inherent and treaty rights, and as a Sovereign Nation, we work towards self-determination, and a self-governing Ininewuk.

Our Purpose

We exist to heal and strengthen our community, deepening our Cree culture and advancing our independence, so each person can walk their own path.

Our Vision

We see a strong, united, self-governing, self-sustaining Opaskwayak Cree Nation of Mino Pimâtisiwin, living our rich culture and beliefs, protecting our land and our language.

Our Mission

We are on a mission to improve the lives of the Opaswayak Ininew, every day.

 

Our Forecast for the Future

By January 2023, Opaskwayak embodies leadership as an advanced, innovative and successful First Nation with safety, social and community needs being addressed equally.

We are self-governing and self-sustainable; guided by united Cree leadership with effective Cree laws, policies and bylaws.

Within the Opaskwayak organization, we are living according to our seven sacred teachings of love, respect, honesty, wisdom, humility, truth and courage. 

We are bringing back our Cree language and culture.

We embody “progress and independence” in everything we do. We are financially independent, stable and economically diverse.

We are an experienced, knowledgeable and proficient team wholly dedicated to our community. Our strong sense of unity is driven by our shared purpose and the vision that we are bringing to life.

We are proactive in planning to meet our community’s needs. We work from clear, credible, aligned plans that are informed by the expressed needs of the community. We listen to our community and are accountable to them. 

We work toward an achievable number of clear priorities, with the supports in place to achieve them.

We are critical and strategic thinkers who find practical solutions to everyday challenges.

We accomplish our goals. We have a clear structure and we each understand our responsibility, our authority and our accountability.

We are all responsible for our communication. We have strong networks across all our branches and out to our stakeholders.

Our leadership speaks with one voice to the community. 

People want to work for Opaskwayak because we are doing meaningful work, very well.

We are building capacity and hiring within the community.

We promote being healthy – mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

We tackle challenges head on. We track our progress, share results, learn from inevitable missteps and celebrate.

People here feel welcome and included. We are accepting and we try not to judge. We are respectful and empathetic. There is laughter and friendliness. Our work spaces are clean and safe.

We understand the impacts of trauma and work to reduce its effects on people.

We cooperate together based on fairness and the knowledge that everyone is doing their part.

 

Once the Purpose and the Forecast were established, the group identified their priorities for the organization:

Three Strategic Priorities

  1. We are bringing back our Cree Culture and our language, practicing our seven sacred teachings.
  2. We work from clear, credible, aligned plans that are informed by the expressed needs of the community.
  3. We have strong united Cree leadership and effective laws and policies

How the priorities work together:

Cree Language and Culture

The Elders Council sets the framework of Opaskwayak-defined Cree culture. 

The brand and communication plan are heavily informed by traditional Cree culture and the definition of Opaskwayak’s vision for the future. The brand and all Opaskwayak communication will include the Cree language. Cree language and culture and the brand will inform all aspects of the Opaskwayak organization. 

Cree language and culture will be key considerations in solidifying united Cree leadership, laws and policies. 

Delivering programs and services in ways that reflect the Cree language and culture will be inherent in the Branch plans and priority-setting.

United Cree Leadership, Laws and Policies

Opaskwayak has engaged FMB to assist in strengthening the governance structure toward a unique self-governance model with rights defined within UNDRIP’s self-governance and sustainability framework.

This process will align with the newly defined organizational structure and its associated draft terms of reference for key leadership groups. It will incorporate the financial accountability laws established through the FMB certification and will inform and consider the work underway with MNP with respect to financial processes.

Clear and Credible Plans

The strategic planning model which established the purpose, vision, mission, forecast statement and these three priorities will be translated into aligned action plans across the branches through priority setting sessions with each branch. These sessions will include team building and actions to strengthen the work cultures within the branches. 

These plans will be informed initially by the community’s inputs in the CCP and, prior to finalizing the 2021 budget process, the plans will be informed by the baseline Community Wellness Assessment to be undertaken by Mark Anielski.

The 2021 budget process, to be undertaken by the branches will have the following as inputs: their defined strategic priorities; CCP community input; wellness assessment data; listing of special projects defined by Chief and Council.