Garden River First Nation is governed by a Council consisting of a Chief and twelve Councillors - a maximum under the Indian Act. Each Councillor is appointed to and is responsible for a portfolio(s). A General Council meeting is held monthly along with regular working meetings every week to oversee administrative matters. The Council is elected bi-annually, an election system under the Indian Act.

Garden River First Nation administers a variety of programs and services, and employs approximately 120 people. Various department managers oversee their individual programs and overall administrative duties are overseen by a Director of Operations who is directly responsible to the Council who in turn, are responsible to the membership.

The principal office is the Administration Center centrally located in the community and surrounded by the Community Center, Health Center, Fire Hall, Public Works Garage, and the Anishinabek Police Services Headquarters. Other community facilities located on-reserve are the Ojibway Tent and Trailer Park, Healing Lodge, Baseball Field and the Garden River Development Cororation Center. All facilities cater to the needs of the Band's membership.

Mandate of Organization

* To provide the Garden River First Nation with a strategy to achieve economic growth and employment for it's members.
* To provide recreation and leisure facilities and programs to Garden River First Nation members of all ages.
* To promote the community aspirations of furthering the achievement of higher education.
* To preserve and enhance the heritage of the Garden River First Nation.
* To provide a range of community and social services to all Garden River First Nation members.

Porfolio System

Justice/Policing/By-Laws
Education/Cultural
Highway
Housing
Sports/Recreation/Bingo/Community Events
Health/Social Services
Membership
Economic Development
Forestry/Environment
Lands/Treaties/Hunting and Fishing
Self-Government
Finance/Deficit Recovery
Parks/Recreation and Tourism
Healing Lodge
Staff Relations
Youth/Elders
Fire Department
Nog-da-win-da-min
Tribal Council