The Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC) is a non-profit advocacy group. We act on behalf of up to 48 community councils in remote and northern Manitoba.
Our goal is to improve quality of life for people in northern communities by:
- Calling attention to the unique needs of northern communities
- Promoting sustainable social and economic development
Our Commitment
The NACC works collaboratively with our member community councils. Together, we seek and advocate for solutions to local issues.
In our commitment to representing our members, we will:
- seek solutions for community services such as water, roads, waste management, and safety
- advance local self governance
- promote the sustainable use of natural resources
- ensure the needs of our communities is a priority for governments
- improve the physical, social, and economic development of our communities
- consult on community projects that promote self sufficiency
- foster social and economic development
- lead co-operation between communities, business, and governments
- host an annual conference for members to learn and share information
- co-ordinate community health and recreational services
- provide ongoing communication to our communities and partners
- collaborate with community members, elected officials, neighbour communities, and business leaders to enhance economic development
Membership
Our members are community councils in Northern Manitoba. They’re represented in three regions: Eastern, Northern, and Western.
Together, we ensure that representation of communities is responsible, fair, and thorough.
NACC members can vote and run for Board of Director positions at the Annual Conference.
History of the NACC
NACC started in 1968 as Community Councils and Committees. It was under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Northern Affairs. In 1970, it received legal status under the Northern Affairs Act. For the first time, communities had the right to receive funding and decide on their use of tax dollars.
In 1971 it incorporated as a non-profit agency under its current name. This marked the first time Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people worked together to organize, plan, and develop their communities. NACC received charitable status through the Canada Revenue Agency in 2021.
The first community councils to join NACC were: Barrows, Cormorant, Moose Lake, Pikwitonei, Ilford, Pelican Rapids, Duck Bay, Camperville, Crane River, Matheson Island, and Wabowden.
First Meeting and Executive
NACC held its first meeting in Winnipeg on June 2, 1970. It was open to community councils only. 48 delegates attended. They represented the 11 member community councils and 29 other remote communities. The first executive committee was elected at that meeting. The executive included a President and three regional chairpersons.