BIOGRAPHY
A Life Spent Building What Others Could Not Imagine
Senator Solomon Sanderson began in First Nations politics at age 15 — when it was still illegal under the Indian Act for First Nations people to assemble. He has never stopped.
As FSIN Chief from 1979 to 1986, Senator Sanderson orchestrated the constitutional lobby that secured Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 — the first constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights in Canadian history. His campaign in London before the British House of Lords was decisive.
In 1982 he chaired the inaugural World Assembly of First Nations, convening delegates from 33 countries. He established the first First Nation-controlled school in Canada at Chakastaypasin Cree Nation in 1973, co-authored Indian Control of Indian Education in 1972, and drove the creation of First Nations University of Canada, SIIT, and SICC.
He has served as Senator of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations since 1986. The work is not a quarter done.
POSTIONS & HONOURS
FSIN Chief - 1979-1986
Secured Section 35. Co-founded the Assembly of First Nations.
FSIN Senator - 1986-Present
40 years of sovereign governance leadership.
Chair — World Assembly of First Nations, 1982
33 nations at the pivotal constitutional moment.
Honorary Doctorate — FNUniv, 2026
Awarded by the university he helped build.
Traditional Names
South Thunderbird Walking · Old White Bear · Brave Spotted Eagle
“Reconciliation right now is going down the road of self-termination — supposed to be going down the road of self-determination on our terms and our conditions.”
Senator Solomon Sanderson — Vancouver, January 2025
UPCOMING CONFERENCE
Fiscal Relations between the Crown and Governments of Indian Nations
A three-day working conference on the most complex and most urgent governance challenge facing First Nations today. Designed and delivered by Senator Sanderson — the man who negotiated the first government-to-government fiscal agreement in Canadian history.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Support a conference dedicated to advancing First Nations governance, Treaty implementation, and government-to-government fiscal relations. By becoming a sponsor, your organization will help bring together Indigenous leaders, professionals, and decision-makers from across Canada while demonstrating a commitment to nation-building and the future of Indigenous governance.
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available to suit organizations of all sizes. We welcome your partnership in helping make this important event a success.
First Nations Forum Governance Institute
Nine Modules.
One Living Doctrine.
Each module is grounded in Senator Sanderson’s 70-year applied governance record. Not theory. Not textbooks. Living doctrine from the man who built the framework — brought directly to Chiefs, Councils, and First Nations leadership across Canada.
1.
FOUNDATION
Nations Make Treaties
Inherent sovereignty as Creator-granted. Section 35, the House of Lords, and the full box. The session that must come first.
HALF DAY - 2.5 HRS
2.
SOVEREIGNTY
The Portable Sovereignty Doctrine
Your jurisdiction does not stop at the reserve boundary. Applied from the 1982 World Assembly of 33 nations.
Half Day - 2 HRS
3.
GOVERNANCE
The Nation-to-Nation Framework
Government-to-government fiscal relations. Working session — Chiefs and Councils draft their own agenda.
Half Day - 2.5 HRS
4.
STRATEGY
Recognizing the SWAT Strategy
Fiscal, economic, legal, and jurisdiction intimidation — named, described, and countered from lived experience.
Half Day - 1.5 HRS
5.
EDUCATION
Indian Control of Indian Education
Government-to-government fiscal relations. Working session — Chiefs and Councils draft their own agenda.
Half Day - 2.5 HRS
6.
ECONONY
First Nations Economic Sovereignty
The Wealth of the Nations. Asserting revenue rights, not requesting revenue sharing. The gaming model and beyond.
Half Day - 2 HRS
7.
INSTITUTIONS
Building Institutions That Outlast Leadership
The long game. Governance architecture that functions regardless of who is Chief. The Seventh Generation standard.
Half Day - 2 HRS
8.
VISION
The Next Chapter
What reconciliation must actually mean. Sol’s direct call to the next generation of First Nations leadership.
Half Day - 1.5 HRS
9.
PRACTICAL
From Doctrine to the Door
The Finance Administration Act. The fiscal agreement. The school model. Sol’s own templates as replicable tools for any First Nation.
Half Day - 2.5 HRS
Program Options
Built for Every Nation.
Every Context.
Choose the program option that is best suited for your Nation's needs. If you do not find one that fits your exact needs, we can customize an option to serve your needs.
A.
Single Module
Any standalone half-day session. Suitable for Council meetings, governance workshops, or community events. Modules 1 and 8 are most commonly requested.
Half Day - 1.5 — 2.5 HRS · Senator Sanderson speaking, unscripted, open Q&A
B.
One-Day Institute
Four modules across a full day. Recommended: Modules 1, 3, 5, and 8 for a comprehensive sovereignty, governance, education, and vision day.
Full day · Morning and afternoon sessions · Working session included
C.
Two-Day First Nations Forum Governance Institute
All nine modules across two days. Day One: the sovereign foundation. Day Two: applied practice. For leadership retreats and governance conferences.
Two full days · Working sessions · Participant framework document included
D.
Custom Session
Built entirely around your Nation’s specific governance priorities, outstanding land claims, treaty context, or fiscal challenges. Senator Sanderson has experience across every treaty territory.
Tailored duration and format · Contact to discuss
CONTACT & BOOKING
Invite Senator Sanderson
to Your Nation
Senator Sanderson travels to your community or a location of your choosing. Every session is prepared with briefing materials, large-format reference documents, and a participant governance package.
He welcomes opening prayer, Elder protocol, and traditional acknowledgement consistent with the host Nation’s traditions.
Inquiries are reviewed personally. All First Nations across Canada are welcome — Cree, Dene, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Salish, Mi’kmaq, Blackfoot, and all Nations.