Onaway

The United Commonwealth of Onaway is a located in Northeastern Veharia, and is one of the few states to be direct continuations of pre-colonial Indigenous Veharian polities which survived its multiple phases of. It is immediately to the east by Bemica, and to the west by Florencia, which currently holds the Ogemaw Cessions, a region of ethnically-Onawean land relinquished in 1888 as part of an agreement with the then-recently founded Florencian revolutionary state against the Velorencian Empire which guaranteed their independence and mutual non-aggression. Additionally, the northern and southern shores of the country are neighbored by the Bay of St. Brendan and Allonian Gulf, respectively. Additionally, the Myrish of Helsingfed and Salme is located off the coast of the Onawean mainland. A, it is subdivided into fourteen Chiefdoms, and one Federal Territory, which is its capitol, Chawegan.

Onaway's government is a unique blend of  and  , and has been often compared to the system utilized by Kilalurak. Each Chiefdom has a monarch, which convene upon the time of the death, removal, or abdication of the previous national monarch, known as the High Chief of the Onaweans, to elect one among themselves to fill the role, which serves as the nation's  and. However, most executive functions are conducted by the popularly-elected Chancellor and their cabinet, the National Privy Council. The High Chief sits in meetings of the Privy Council, and participates in the functions of the Council, and is considered co-leader of the executive with the Chancellor. A number of governmental institutions are deeply tied to pre-colonial traditions practiced by the Ziibwingon peoples, as well as those observed within the numerous frontier communities which resisted colonial and imperial occupation throughout the years. In its current form, following the reforms of the Constitutional Restoration and subsequent efforts in democratization, modern Onaway is seen as a and, seeking to balance the desire for economic independence with global prestige and interconnection with the global economy.

Etymology
The term "Onaway" is rooted in the "Onaweyaa", the culture's  for the territory of the modern country, specifically around the River Dubh. Onaweyaa itself is generally considered to be from the root word onawe, a Ziibwingon word which roughly translates to "awake" or "alert", thus making Onaweyaa "the land awoken", in reference to the history of the modern Ziibwingon peoples, who are "always ready" in the face of centuries of intermittent invasion, subjugation, resistance, and liberation.

Pre-Azoran Onaway

 * Main articles: Colonization of Veharia, Ziibwingon people, Nodawa people, Onawean Beaver Wars

Colonial Era

 * Main articles: Salish colonization of Onaway, Salio-Onawean War

Independence and First Kingdom

 * Main article: First Kingdom of Onaway

Velorencian-Onawean Invasion and Occupation

 * Main articles: Onawean-Velorencian War, Onawean War of Resistance, Florencian Revolution

Second Kingdom

 * Main article: Second Kingdom of Onaway

Sectarian Crisis

 * Main articles: 1954 Onawean national election, Onawean Sectarian Crisis

The decades of increasing political diversity within Onawean discourse culminated in the controversial, highly contested, and often bloody election of 1954. The election itself was not suspect, but conflict arose from the failure of any one party to secure an effective, which placed the establishment parties in positions of weakness, unable to reasonably form a coalition in the Diet due to the ever-intensifying partisanship of the day. A runoff election was held on 21 October, following the formation of three largely-cohesive - United Onaweans, primarily composed of Conservatives; the Left Bloc, led by the SRs and Onawean Revolutionary Workers' Party; and the National Sovereignty League, a much more strongly  group, composed of numerous groups, but led by the Nationals and National Syndicalists. The Liberal Party deliberately chose to not associate with any of the lists, attempting to position itself as a option to contrast to the partisan blocs. The runoff election led to a under the control of the Left Bloc.

Following the election, both the United Onaweans and Left Bloc coalitions attempted to court the non-inscrit Liberals during the sessions. Due to their reticence to join one of the coalitions, the Liberals lost a number of seats in the Diet, though still commanded a sizable enough proportional allotment that their legislative support could significantly alter the conduct of the Diet throughout the term. Rumors spread of potential Florencian tampering in the election, largely among conservative-leaning publications and those sympathetic to the NSL. Having leadership often composed of veterans of the Kilalurak Campaign, both the Left Bloc and NSL were composed of high levels of well-trained military personnel, and paramilitary groups gaining prominence on the far right led to Bloc-aligned labor unions building up their own arsenals to dissuade such groups. King Mingan V, a quiet supporter of democratization and greater reform professed by the Left Bloc, formally recognized the results of the election on October 30th, which served the dual effect of calming much of the political establishment, and further radicalizing those on the far right to extremism. The outgoing Chancellor, Odawas McRae, was vocally distrustful of the incoming government, and reportedly had numerous personal conflicts with Mingan V following the election.

On 2 November, 1954, A street brawl between NSL paramilitaries and union workers erupted in Agogibing, which quickly turned into widespread riots throughout the city as the police forces were seemingly reticent to respond. Police officers were sometimes claimed to be seen supporting the NSL members (though these reports remain unsubstantiated). A general strike is proposed by the Onawean League of Workers, closely associated with the incoming Left Bloc government, but not officially declared. However, numerous unions in Agogibing choose to coordinate a strike independently in order to defend their workplaces and communities. Over the course of the following weeks, the NSL was forced to disband as the National Party grew distasteful of the NSP's unwillingness to even issue a token disavowment of the violence. Mingan V travelled to Agogibing alongside a contingent of the ONDF to calm the city, meeting with local government and labor leaders to quell the unrest. The local police is recalled, and martial law is declared in the city. By December 17th, the military restored control of the city to the local government, but significant damage had been done both to the city itself, and the national psyche, as smaller, more contained riots and demonstrations were seen across the country.

This period of national trauma was compounded by the death of Mingan V on November 29th, apparently having died during a hunting accident. Following the Chiefly Conclave, Tihkusue a'Zhaawanong is declared King of Onaway. As the death of his predecessor took place on land he was entitled to, some suspect that Mingan's death was carried out by the new monarch. In his first address to the country, he declares his intention to "use all means available to protect the sons and daughters of Onaweyaa". Purges of the nation's police forces of apparent corrupt officers that supported the NSL paramilitaries are met with a sigh of relief as Tihkusue's nascent strongman approach is apparently a reasonable one. Met with less fanfare, however, is the announcement of investigations on incoming members of the government for suspected roles in the Agogibing Riots.

On December 22nd, the results of the election went into effect, and the 12th Session of the National Diet began under the leadership of the Left Bloc. In his opening speech to the Diet, Chancellor Hugo Dwyer promised a tenure defined by social reform, with intentions of spreading the postwar wealth across all of society, with goals of expanding unionization to all workers, especially in rural areas, standardizing the nation's education system, and expanding public housing. Dwyer praised Tihkusue's efforts of investigating police for their suspected complicity in the Agogibing Riots, and "looked forward to meeting tradition with progress in the spirit of true national healing".

However, a recession began to set in across Veharia as the global economy began to stabilize, and Azoran importing of New World goods started to return to pre-war levels. This was exasperated in Onaway by, a decline in private investment, and a that resulted from the announcement of Dwyer's intention to nationalize. While the Left Bloc's program was met with widespread support among poorer Onaweans, and the nation's diplomatic position was strengthened by its improving ties to Florencia, distrust only grew among the pre-1954 political establishment. Rising unemployment was largely halted by the and  of a number of the country's key sectors, including  and,  production,  mills, and. Initiation of major projects, including a number of  and an extension of the nation's highway network, helped rural communities stay afloat economically as private capital continued to trickle out of the country. Throughout the early months of 1955, considerable progress was made to help the country recover from the economic destabilization of the past year. All the while, this extensive public spending was funded by international debt and the printing of money. By August of 1955, began to spike considerably.

Compounding the economic hardships of the country was the rising profile of the far right in the opposition. Media, politicians, business organizations and other groups, all contributed to increasingly unstable politics. The apparent escape of numerous leaders of the NSL paramilitary wing from prison only continued to serve fears of political violence across the country. Many blamed Dwyer's harshness in investigating the nation's police forces for contributing to the escape. With mounting frustration among the nation's moderates and conservatives, a was narrowly passed in the Diet, and Tikhusue approved calls for a, which would take place on 19th June, 1956. Fearful of being harassed by increasingly hostile NSL groups, progress on a number of Dwyer's public works projects slowed considerably. Demonstrations and political rallies took on a much more violent character, with the ONDF being preemptively deployed across the country to prevent riots from breaking out during the 20th September election. Surprisingly, the Left Bloc garnered even more control of the Diet, forming an. Notably, when the new session began in August, King Tikhusue did not attend the opening speech by Chancellor Dwyer. Strikes erupted across the country among the urban business class in protest, and the NSL ran roughshod across the country. An explosion of a nitrate tank at the Port of Agogibing destroyed a number of merchant ships and property around the port, and the flow of goods to and from the country overseas ground to a halt. In the following months, members of the opposition often refused to arrive in an attempt to prevent a from forming, forcing electoral gridlock which only further grew the resentment for Dwyer and his supporters.

Coup

 * Main article: 1956 Onawean Coup d'etat


 * 7 April, 1956: The Royal Guard takes control of the National Diet, and takes all members present into protective custody. A significant contingent had not departed from their home constituencies however, the majority of which being members of the Left Bloc, and those who refused to comply were often killed under spurious pretenses. Reports of "roving death squads" of well-armed paramilitaries were being read, and the Chancellor is found killed, hung from a lamppost in Chawegan by one such group. Tihkusue declares martial law throughout the country, and closes the borders.
 * 19 April, 1956: The military seizes effective control of the country. A number of the NSL paramilitaries are quietly released from custody, as well as a number of labor leaders. A number of both were sentenced to death and expeditiously killed by firing squad.
 * 21 April, 1956: The National Diet is restored, surprisingly with the same proportional allotments of the 1955 election, though with a composition that does not conform to the established lists - while all those not present are either listed as having resigned voluntarily or having been victims of the past month's violence, many more are completely unaccounted for, the fates of many of which remain unknown, even following the Sugmuk reforms and investigations.

Years of the Vulture

 * Main article: Years of the Vulture (Onaway)


 * 3 March, 1987: High Chief Tihkusue is found dead, having apparently died in his sleep.
 * 10 March, 1987: Sugmuk a'Saginong is elected the new High Chief.

Restoration of Constitutionalism and modern era

 * Main article: Onawean constitutional restoration

Geography

 * Main article: Geography of Onaway

Located in the center of Northeast Veharia, Onaway is generally considered the transitional zone between the rocky inland of the continental landmass and the coastal lowlands of the oceanic coasts of the region. It is situated largely between the 45th and 60th Parallel. Onaway is the 3rd largest nation in the world by area, occupying 2,959,522.5 square kilometres (1,142,678.0 square miles), ranked behind Zhenia and neighboring Florencia, which are the second and first in area, respectively. The country is typically divided into four geographic zones, which are as follows, from north to south: Even without any true mountainous regions, the Onawean Shield is host to large uplands, divided into the Eastern and Western Ridges. The nation's highest point is Point Halloway at 1,347 metres (4,419 feet), located on the Eastern Ridge near the Florencian border. Regions surpassing 1,000 metres can be found throughout portions of central Onaway, while the vast majority of the country sits between 100-400 metres. The Waabishkaande Forest, a primarily, covers most of the south-central highlands of the country, most of which is additionally protected as forest reserve under the federal government. The temperate, fertile, and sometimes humid Allonian lowland forests of Onaway, especially around the Dubh Valley, has generally been replaced with agricultural, industrial, and urban development. Likewise, no new settlement is permitted in the East Skandarin Islands due to their ecological importance.
 * The East Skandarin Islands, located in the Bay of St. Brendan. Due to the harsh, agriculture is effectively impossible on most of the landmass, and is generally unpopulated beyond the southern coasts. Much of the landscape is covered in , and much of the north is occupied with ice cover for a significant portion of the year.
 * The St. Brendan Coastal Lowlands, which while not as subject to the same extreme conditions as the East Scandarins, are only slightly more populated. Most of the landscape is dominated by marshes, though patches of are also present.
 * The Onawean Shield, which is the highest altitude region of the country, and occupies roughly 2/3rds of the overall mainland. Most settlements in this area are centered around the extraction of the rich timber and mineral resources found here, especially iron, copper, and to a lesser degree, uranium. A number of the nation's first-tier manufacturing industries are present here as well, due to proximity to the point of extraction for raw materials. Very little agriculture is done here overall, as the terrain is generally unfavorable due to poor soil conditions and topographical variance. This region is further subdivided into the Eastern Ridge, Western Ridge, and Central Flats.
 * Southern Onaway, sometimes referred to as Riparian Onaway for its high density of river systems or Allonian Onaway due to proximity to the Allonian Gulf. Nearly all urban centers are located here, and 84.1% of the national population resides south of the Onawean Shield. The bulk of the nation's agricultural product and manufacturing is done here as well. Sub-regions include the Lakelands, Dubh River Valley, and the Golden Corner.

Climate

 * Main article: Climate of Onaway

The Onawean varies by location, but often are closely tied to the geographic regions that divide the nation's physical landscape. The main dynamics which affect it include: The prominence of these factors in comparison to others greatly depends on latitude, proximity to major bodies of water, and topography, to a lesser degree. The vast majority of the Onawean mainland is considered in climate, while the Skandarins are almost entirely.
 * Cold, dry arctic air from the north, primarily coming off the Bay of St. Brendan. This is the dominant factor in the climate to the north of the Onawean Shield, especially on the bay's coasts and on the Skandarins, and across much of the country in the winter months.
 * Polar air from out of the west, crossing over the Florencian highlands.
 * The Great Lakes on the southern portions of the Onawean-Florencian border country, which moderate the climate of the southern inland portions of the country throughout the year.
 * Warm, moist air from the Valithor Gulf and Allonian Ocean.

Government and Politics

 * Main article: Politics of Onaway, High Chief of the Onaweans
 * Further reading: 1991 Onawean Constitution

While the current government under the United Commonwealth is tied to the establishment of the 1991 Constitution, the country has existed under a form of with a   of government since 1824, except during the Velorencian Occupation from 1875-88, and to a lesser extent during the 1955-87 Years of the Vulture, in which the military and High Chief wielded significantly more power in national policy.

The High Chief acts primarily as a ceremonial figurehead and, while most executive power is held by the Chancellor, who acts as and leader of the National Diet, and the National Privy Council that serves alongside the Chancellor. The High Chief has the powers to grant pardons, form governments, and provide the. Additionally, the High Chief is a voting member of the Privy Council. While most executive powers are ceded to the Chancellor, the High Chief still occasionally intervenes in Onawean politics, as is permitted in the Constitution. Royal Privilege is usually reserved for in cases of causes celebre which face intense, long-term parliamentary gridlock, though incidents of this have become increasingly rare over the years. While somewhat anachronistic to this otherwise democratic nation, Royal Privilege is considered an important check on the Diet, as the constitution mandates that the High Chief "act according to their conscience to preserve the welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth".

Between 1955 and 1987, Onaway was effectively an absolute monarchy. Starting in the late 1980s, High Chief Sugmuk engaged in numerous reform processes, ceding numerous executive powers to the Chancellor and to the Diet. Despite these significant democratizations, the High Chief's place in Onawean society is often considered sacrosanct. As such, remains a criminal offense in some cases, though its severity in terms of punishment has been reduced significantly following the adoption of the 1991 Constitution and further pressure from members of the international community in following years.

Chancellorship and the National Privy Council

 * Main articles: Chancellor of the Onaweans, National Privy Council of Onaway

The Chancellor is the of Onaway and leader of the National Diet. The role is allocated to the member of the Diet whom obtains the confidence of a majority in the Diet. Typically, this is either the leader of the largest single represented party, though can also represent a governing coalition of parties. Single parties often cannot achieve the votes necessary to form a government on its own, and as such, minority governments are a fairly common occurrence throughout the Diet's history.

The Chancellor exercises executive authority through the National Privy Council, the nation's. The Privy Council is composed of the heads of major national government agencies, whom are elected by the Diet and approved by the Chancellor, as well as the sitting High Chief. All members of the Privy Council are responsible for attending regular meetings with both the Chancellor and Diet. The composition of the Privy Council by party lines is dictated by set equally to the percentage of seats in the Diet a given party has. This is intended to be a check on the power of the governing coalition, and to promote diversity of thought in the nation's executive branch.

The 1991 Constitution has the role of controlling the nation's foreign affairs shared between the High Chief and Secretary of State, though in practice the Chancellor has come to take on a much more active role, with the High Chief often defaulting to their opinion on most matters. National security, however, is almost exclusively vested with the Chancellor and Secretary of State, though matters of trade and other diplomatic concerns offer much more opportunity for the influence of the High Chief.

Post-1991, the role of Chancellor has generally been held by either a member of the United Onaway Party (typically representing the ) or the Social Republicans (representing the ), excepting the current Chancellor, Rhys Raferty, a member of the Farmer-Labor Party, which bills itself as an proponent of, , and.

Legislature

 * Main article: National Diet of Onaway
 * Further reading: Party politics in Onaway

The National Diet exercises supreme legislative authority in Onaway. It is organized in the manner of a system, with the Chancellor acting in a manner similar to that of a. It may draft ordinary laws, amend the constitution, ratify national treaties presented by the Chancellor or High Chief, vote for and dismiss the National Privy Council, and override vetoes made by the executive. It may also any member of the national government if their activities are considered to violate their Oath of Office or are deemed unconstitutional, and may move to remove the suspect from office if indicted. The National Diet is a.

Members of the Diet (abbreviated MDs) are elected for six-year terms, which are renewable up to five times for a total of 30 possible years in national office. The candidate pool for the Diet is composed of persons who are legislators in their home Chiefdom and have successfully completed at least one term in that level of government. The last set of general elections took place on 17 October, 2018, and the next are set to take place in October of 2024, though may be called by the Chancellor with a majority vote of the Diet. Representation within the Diet is currently arranged using the proportional utilizing  member districts. Each Chiefdom has a minimum of two Members of the Diet present: one granted as a "levelling seat", and one for every constituency (an electoral unit composed of 120,000 individuals of voting age). The National Diet is composed of a total of 205 MDs.

A session of the Diet can be dissolved by the High Chief with recommendation of the Chancellor, though this option has not been utilized since the adoption of the 1991 Constitution. Prior to Its adoption, however, the High Chief was capable of dissolving it unilaterally, which occurred nine times between 1955 and 1987, with a record six dissolutions taking place between 1955 and 1960.

National Advisory Council

 * Main article: National Advisory Council of Onaway
 * Further reading: Onawean indigenous aristocracy

While Onaway utilizes a unicameral legislature, the National Advisory Council acts similarly to an in a, except is it not actually part of the legislative and electoral processes. Instead, the Council is intended to serve as a body of officials which can inform and make reccomendations for legislative proposals and potential revisions. Unlike the Diet, this group is not elected. Instead, the composition is of the twelve hereditary Chiefs of each respective Chiefdom. As such, this body is considered to be nonpartisan and somewhat apolitical, and is more or less extant in the government "to aid in contextualizing current legislative proposals and political issues in the greater Onawean social, economic, political. and spiritual landscapes." While it cannot actually halt the process of putting a bill into law, its role allows for a "throttle" on legislation that might allow for greater deliberation and revision on policy proposals.

Due to this unique arrangement, the Council is incredibly important in national politics, as the Chiefs compose the candidate pool for High Chief in the country's. Upon the passing of the previous High Chief, the Council goes into isolation over the course of a week, where the next High Chief is selected. The details of this period of isolation are kept highly secret, though from what is known of the event, the Chiefs engage in numerous Manitouist rituals and Ziibwingon ceremonies, as well as discussing more secular, practical concerns over the direction of the Commonwealth. Very few outside of the twelve Hereditary Chiefs are present for the deliberation and ceremony, save for members of the Onawean Medicinist Temple's clergy who assist in the rituals undertaken during the process.

Until 1991, the National Advisory Council was known as the National Chiefly Assembly, and was a de jure upper house to the Diet. This status was called into question during the Constitutional Restoration, with many, including several of the Hereditary Chiefs, seeing their role having become a tool against the self-governance of the Onawean people since the 1950s. Since the death of High Chief Tihkoosue in 1987, there has reportedly been an unspoken rule among the Hereditary Chiefs to observe the same maximum term as other national government officials of 30 years or less. This is intended to prevent the same consolidation of power in the monarchy and aristocracy that led to the corruption and violence of the Years of the Vulture under Tihkoosue.

Sub-national divisions

 * Main article: Chiefdoms of Onaway

Onaway is a divided into thirteen regions known as Chiefdoms. These are demarcated primarily on cultural lines, and are relatively immutable, though can be subdivided or merged through special local referenda and a subsequent vote by members of the Diet. Beneath that, each Chiefdom is divided into Ridings (referred to sometimes as Constituencies), utilized as the primary electoral divisions during national elections. These divisions are defined as areas which hold up to 120,000 citizens, and are reorganized following each census. At present, there are 192 Ridings. Each riding is subdivided into Okwenowag (singular: Okweno, roughly translates to "gathering" or "grouping") that reflect local identities seen within a district, and have no upward limit on population. Due to their role in demarcating historic and ancestral lands of certain groups, they tend to not change very much, and are often simply redistributed between Ridings if need be following a census year. While not utilized officially during national elections, Okwenowag are used by each individual Chiefdom as regional governments within their jurisdiction. From there, Okwenowag are divided into municipal governments known as either an Oodena if incorporated, or Gabeshiwin if unincorporated.

Chiefdoms and Ridings are granted sub-national government authority, and utilize legislatures similar in design to the Diet, led by their Hereditary Chief and a citizen Governor as their regional executive, in roles which behave similarly to the relationship between the High Chief and Chancellor. The only area which does not have local authority is the Chawegan National Territory, which is directly administered by the national government, with the High Chief and Chancellor acting as its executives.

Law and order
The Onawean Constitution is the supreme source of in the nation. Primary sources of the layout of the overall legal system practiced in the Commonwealth is deeply influenced by Salian introduced in the early days of colonization, as well as indigenous Ziibwingon customs, and to a lesser extent those of the Nodawa and Skandarins. Cases are presented by the legal representatives of the plaintiff and defendant, and the judge acts as an impartial referee between the two parties. Under the country's hybrid policy of and, cases are taken to be issues that affect entire communities, and as such, demand arbitration and consultation with all affected parties therein. Unlike conventional legal systems, offenses are not considered to be made against the state, but instead to the directly affected party or parties. Legal authorities are also separate from the Legislative Process and the Executive, but are given equal status in authority under the rule of law, and must be consulted for legality and constitutional integrity of government activities. The practices of and  are of high importance in the modern Onawean legal system, and all plaintiffs are considered innocent until proven guilty. Many judicial proceedings in the nation are made to utilze compulsory gag orders in order to prevent the court of public opinion and media influence from affecting suits, with many details of cases being left out of public record until after proceedings have completed.

The judicial structure in Onaway consists of the Community Courts, which hear lesser criminal cases and smaller civil cases, the Chiefly Courts, composed of divisions that serve as the courts of general jurisdiction for specific areas and for ; and the Commonwealth Courts, which acts as the for all appeals and ensures the validity of laws passed by government within the framework of the Constitution. Juries are selected from the immediate locale(s) of a given offense, or from neighboring areas if the population is not sufficient enough to provide for an adequate jury pool.

and a number of other practices for deterrence of crime remain highly controversial in Onaway. While a freeze on executions were put into place from 1990 onward, it is still available as an option in the prosecution of major violent felonies including multiple murder, chronic child, domestic, or spousal abuse, and other crimes defined in the Commonwealth Legal Code as "heinous and unforgivable actions", a definition considered highly nebulous by many critics. Beyond Capital Punishment, the practice of sterilization against sex offenders has been seen by many outside observers as a blatant attack on human rights, though it retains high public support domestically as an effective deterrent.

The earliest form of the modern Onawean legal system was implemented following the closure of the Years of the Vulture in the late 1980s, with the introduction of the Special Committee for National Reconciliation and Progress, which granted victims of offenses committed by the government a platform to give accounts of violations of their rights, as well as of discrimination and hate crimes. Additionally, these hearings granted those associated with these offenses to air their perspectives and seek forgiveness or amnesty, and provide the means for reconciliation with affected persons. The latter was intended to draw out members of the government and military which went into hiding associated with the events of the previous decades and the 1956 coup, alongside other offenses against political dissidents to discredit the apologists of those policies, and promote a process of genuine reform that improved the conditions of the populace in a grassroots manner, and to display to other nations and observers that Onaway was making a concerted effort to overcome its authoritarian past. After these peaceful, mediated confrontations and processes of arbitration between victim and offender were proven successful in many cases, the practice was encouraged to prominent members of the legal profession, gradually leading to its mass deployment throughout the country.

Law enforcement

 * Main article: Onawean United Commonwealth Police

Onaway's force is known as the Onawean United Commonwealth Police. It is further subdivided into active and intelligence models. Active units are composed of local patrols, highway patrols, and investigative units. Intelligence Units under the OUCP include crime-scene investigations, forensics, mortuary services, and other non-active investigative services in domestic legal proceedings. In contrast to Active units, Intelligence units are directly administered by the federal government in order to better share information and technical support.

Though operating under a nationalized model, Onaway utilizes a largely decentralized model of policing based upon the principles of  and. All officers are recallable at any time if found in violation of policy in their given jurisdiction. Officers are required to live in their area of policing (often known as a "" colloquially), work in community outreach services that promote personal and public safety, as well as efforts. "Red Flag" identification programs, which are aimed to prevent self-harming or publicly dangerous behavior (such as suicidal ideation, substance abuse, violent designs, or domestic abuse and violence, etc.) and aid affected persons in accessing the necessary remedial services, is heavily reliant on maintaining an open channel of transparency and horizontal relationships with police officers, and is generally the most common form of investigation beyond regular patrols.

Alongside the OUCP, the Commonwealth Rangers, which are administered as a branch of the Onaway National Defense Forces, is made up of SWAT Units, Border Patrols, Riot Control, Cybercrime and Cyberdefense Groups, Anti-Terror Units, and Financial/White-Collar Crime Units. Cyber and Financial Crimes units are jointly administered by the Rangers and the Federal Treasury, while Border Patrols are coordinated with the Home Office.

Military

 * Main article: Onaway National Defense Forces

The Onaway National Defense Forces, officially styled His Majesty's National Armed Forces, are composed of four professional service branches: the Grand Army of the Commonwealth, composed of the combined land forces; the Onawean Royal Navy; Onawean Royal Air Force; Commonwealth Guard, which oversee border defense, disaster relief, and domestic emergency response; and the National Rangers, the country's forces. The Armed Forces are charged with ensuring the territorial integrity of Onaway, aiding in protecting the safety of commerce in Veharia, especially in the Valithor Gulf, Bay of St. Brendan, Arctic Ocean, and Northern Allonian Ocean, and training for and engaging in global peacekeeping and disaster relief missions in conjunction with the international community.

While Onaway has had a formalized Armed Forces take shape from out of the old Chiefly Levies since the recognition of the First Kingdom of Onaway in 1824, it adopted an Azoran style of organization beginning in the leadup to the Onawean-Velorencian War in the 1860s. The pre-1876 Onawean Army was formally disbanded with the Treaty of Fort Nodawa, with units beginning a campaign of in cells operated by the Hereditary Chiefs which survived the war. When the Velorencian Empire began to implode in 1879, the cells began to reorganize into a singular cohesive fighting force, and with the Treaty of Fort Ogemaw that established the modern Florencian-Onawean border, the Hereditary Chiefs resolved to form a new General Staff to oversee military operations, and to overcome the limitations placed on the country's military by older forms of tribal warfare such as those which weakened the Royal Army during the war with Velorencia. This organizational structure carried on through the rest of the 19th and most of the 20th Century, before being reformed significantly during the Constitutional Restoration.

The ONDF is not currently engaged in any active combat, but participates in World Concordat peacekeeping operations around the world, especially elsewhere in Veharia. In the past, it and its antecedents took part in the Onawean War of Independence, Onawean-Velorencian War and the following war of resistance, the Florencian Revolution, and Second World War. Contingents of the ONDF were deployed domestically on multiple occasions during the events of the Years of the Vulture, as well as handling a flare-up in the Florencian-Onawean border dispute which took place during a hotly-contested referendum in 1990.

Foreign relations

 * Further reading: Foreign relations of Onaway

Modern Onawean foreign policy is defined by a policy of "zagininjinaadiziwin" (: "The way of the open hand"), in which the country pursues openness to interaction with the international community on its own terms. Onaway generally opposes, and especially stands against what it views as in how some former imperial nations interact with former colonies, seeking to build a world economy based on mutual respect, , and ecological responsibility. Onaway is generally considered a country, and tends to have friendlier relationships with countries governed under a form of Social Republicanism, but itself does not consider itself an exclusive adherent to the ideology, instead pursuing a route of "pragmatic self-liberation" defined by  and  rather than any one set of policies.

A member of the World Concordat since its foundation, Onaway is a participant in a number of international organizations. These include the IHC (1922) and NVEC (1970). Under the Onawean-Florencian Free Movement Treaty, citizens of both countries are capable of moving between and seeking employment between their respective borders without extensive border crossing checks. It is one of the primary signatories of the Arctic Ocean Treaty (2020), and the Onawean Commonwealth Navy oversees the Polar Reserve Zone under WC auspices. While not presently in any formal alliances, it has longstanding friendship treaties with Bemica, Florencia, Kilalurak, and Valithoria.

In 1994, Onaway co-founded the Indigenous Peoples' Co-Development Community, an organization of post-colonial nations and political movements focused on raising awareness of issues facing indigenous communities, the intersection of social and environmental justice, the protection of indigenous cultures and languages, and promoting economic and political autonomy for these communities. is the  of the IPCC, and its global headquarters is based in Chawegan.

Ogemaw region dispute

 * Further reading: Ogemaw Cessions, Onawean-Florencian relations, 1990 Ogemaw regional plebiscite

Despite Onaway's formal recognition of legitimacy of Florencian claims over the Ogemaw Cessions, many Onawean politicians and some Florencians see Onaway as having a more legitimate claim to control of the region - making Ogemaw the Commonwealth's only territorial dispute at present. Due to the region's status at the time, the region participated in a plebiscite which solidified its place as a constituent republic within Florencia. The last MD which was part of the Ogemaw Freedom Party, a dedicated to a reconsideration in the status of the Cessions, lost their seat in the National Diet in 2018, though it remains nominally active.

This region was the most heavily settled by the Velorencian Empire during the events of the Onawean-Velorencian War of 1875-76 and the resulting occupation following the nominally-signed Treaty of Fort Nodawa, which lasted until 1888 during the events of the Florencian Revolution. As the Empire disintegrated, Ogemaw became one of the core sites of the loyalist remnant armies. The Florencian revolutionary forces, seeking an end to the Onawean War of Resistance, signed the Treaty of Fort Ogemaw with a delegation led by future High Chiefs Mingan II, Mingan III, and future Chancellor Wanahton Ketchum, which formed an alliance between the Onaweans and Florencian rebels in order to initiate a final push to defeat the imperial remnants. This resulting treaty came with the stipulation that Ogemaw remained a part of Florencia due to the large presence of non-Onawean settlers, many of which were participants in the revolution from early on. This was still highly favorable to the Onawean delegation, as it would guarantee mutual non-aggression between the nations, as well as keep the bulk of its territory recognized upon its 1824 independence.

This status was respected up until the 1950s, as nationalists within the increasingly polarized Onawean political landscape grew louder in their demands for a full restoration of the 1824 borders, while some more moderate voices discussed ideas of establishing it as a neutral independent country, neither Onawean or Florencian, citing its unique historical position and cultural composition. The concept of Onawean irridentism and "border reform" became a propaganda tool by the Onawean state during the Years of the Vulture, but would rarely come close to being seen as a legitimate possibility, until such sentiments began developing in Florencia during the Decade of Indignity. The idea of grassroots calls for a change in the status of the Ogemaw Cessions culminated in a hotly-contested regional plebiscite in 1990, which grew concerning enough to warrant a deployment of the Onawean National Defense Forces to prevent any potential popular violence from spilling over. Following the vote to remain part of Florencia, a series of riots broke out, which led to a standoff between members of both the Onawean and Florencian armed forces with protesters. However, violence was rare and sporadic at best, despite aggressive posturing, and tensions deflated immensely following a joint appearance by High Chief Sugmuk and Florencian statesman Hæzam Sadee' to the crowds, where the High Chief publicly recognized and approved the results of the vote in an effort to show Onawean faith in Florencian institutions in the governance of the Cessions.

Economy
The Onawean is an example of a, primarily relying on a   model since the 1980s, though it retains some of the characteristics of its  mode of production utilized between the 1950s and late 1970s prior to liberalizing reforms undertaken during the constitutional restoration. It is a robust, featuring alongside significant degrees of state owned businesses and projects. is free in Onaway, and new parents, including, are granted 48 weeks paid. Presently, Onaway has an unemployment rate of 5.7%, with 86% of all persons aged 14-74 currently employed. The labor force is composed of persons engaged in or seeking work. 5.9% of of the population between 18-66 receive a disability pension. Unlike most industrialized economies, private ownership of commercial enterprises are illegal, with all businesses organized as worker-owned and. It is considered a and a regional economic power.

Onaway's primary export partners are Florencia, Bemica, and Valithoria, though Kilalurak, Andemyr, and Salia also held a not-insignificant share of the nation's valued 18.98 Billion US$ in exports in 2019. The nation's main importers of goods are Florencia, Bemica, and Valithoria. Imports in 2019 valued 12.31 Billion US$, primarily in the form of high-tech goods,, and. The vast majority of Onawean imports and exports go to and from other regions of the western hemisphere, and the nation's primary trading partner in Azora is Salia.

is not recognized within the Onwean system, but personal property is respected. All, , , and are held in the  under the jurisdiction of whatever municipal government administers the given area - and permission to access these resources are secured from that governing authority, and continuity of these permissions are contingent on the continued usage of the given resource. Structures are legally separate from the land they occupy, and the parcel a building sits on remains held by the municipal government under the terms of a long-term or lifetime lease, depending on the intended usage of the structure.

The state holds significant degrees of ownership of what the Commonwealth government considers "core industries" - including production and first-tier processing, most forms of mining (with a monopoly on, , and  ore extraction), , banking (including a monopoly on ), the strategic  sector, and telecommunications in the country. As such, the national government holds roughly 34% of the stock values in the Agogibing Stock Exchange. Additionally, Onaway is a major shipping nation, and has the second-largest in Veharia, behind only Florencia in amount of merchant ships in service, at a present 3,574 ships.

Onaway's is the Miswabik, valued according to a  model, pegged to the trading value of the nation's main export commodities:, , and. Its value is also closely tied to the movement of the Florencian Ruble, due to the country's place as Onaway's primary import and export partner. The Miswabik's current valuation model has been recently called into question, as the nation increasingly prioritizes environmental protections for its arctic territories and other ecologically-sensitive areas. A model has been proposed in recent years as the service sector increases in importance to the national economy and to reduce reliance on increasing the rate of  in vulnerable areas to maintain timber exports that stabilize the value of the currency.

Agriculture
While far from the position of dominance as it was for much of the nation's history, agriculture remains a significant part of the Onawean national economy. A relatively small portion of the nation is employed in the agricultural sector, though the overwhelming majority of acreage south of the Onawean Shield is given over to it. While the overall amount of farms have declined since the 1980s, acreage in use has remained largely consistent, but has slowly been in decline in the face of advancing urban and industrial development. Mechanization and improved management practices to promote soil health have allowed for supply to keep pace with the needs of Onaway's growing population base.

The most common types of farms reported in the 2015 Farm Census included those for cattle, small grains, and dairy. , a crop of historical importance in Ziibwingon culture, is especially prevalent in the Dubh River Valley and Great Lakes regions. The Great Lakes host some of the most diverse range of crops, including, , , and for  production. , a plant used in Onawean folk medicine, has become popular for use in numerous health foods in recent years, and has begun to take the place of tobacco in economic importance where the industry has retreated due to the decline in popularity of smoking since the 1960s.

While Onaway is generally food-secure, the remote nature of many villages, as well as significant amounts of land being non-arable due to both climactic and topographical constraints, and environmental policy make maintaining it increasingly difficult as the nation's population grows. Starting during the Purcell chancellorship and strengthened in the Dwyer era, were established across the country, which served to increase access to regional grain storage and markets in order to secure more favorable prices. More of these cooperatives were developed under Hugo Dwyer, and prospects of limited collectivization were considered prior to the 1956 Coup. Upon the abolition of in the 1960s, land was put first in the hands of the cooperatives, and then to the local government. Farms still remain under control of their individual tenants and workers, all farmers are members of their respective local cooperatives. production has expanded since 2000, especially in the northern Chiefdoms, as access to subsidized materials for construction and upkeep have been able to enhance local food security in the remote villages north of the Shield. models are almost exclusively used in these areas, as it allows greater coordination and use of limited resources which are often prohibitively expensive to import.

Energy
The ubiquity of major river systems across the country have allowed for a significant amount of the nation's power to be sourced from, while a infrastructure has also rapidly developed within the last fifty years. Onaway's national power company, Wagion, provides for around 90% of the electricity needs of the country. 51% of the nation's electricity comes from nuclear power, 39% from hydroelectric sources, 8% from, and 2% from other renewable sources such as , , and sources, mostly seen in remote communities north of the Onawean shield.

The Onawean energy grid is set to largely by 2030, and no new power plants with a fossil-fuel derived energy source have been constructed since 1998. A number of have been decommissioned and removed since 2000 following the passage of the Clear Skies Act as the nation's main hydroelectric plants have increased in efficiency, and greater concern over ecological impacts these structures cause have become more prevalent in the national political discourse. Onaway is unique among other nations in that it is not phasing out its nuclear grid, but is opting to expand it as part of its decarbonization scheme. Biomass energy (especially through the usage of ) is becoming increasingly popular in the remote north, especially in the East Skandarin Islands as populations have begun to consolidate more into cohesive municipalities such as Ukkusiksalik and Aulavik.

Despite the nation's favorable geography for renewable energy, Onaway's low population density and wide spaces between major settlements have made it financially difficult to extend the power grid to the border regions of the country and parts of the remote north. As such, Onaway imports roughly 10% of its power from neighboring Bemica and Florencia.

Transportation
Onaway's transport network has largely evolved from early waterway and portage networks used by the Ziibwingon and Salian Taiscéalaís. There are two primary east-west and south-north routes that traverse the Onawean mainland, both which start in Topinaabi and extend eastward into neighboring Bemica, with one route travelling the southern coastline and the other cutting directly across through to the Dubh River Valley and Chawegan, ending in Meowataka before extending to the Florencian border. The first north-south route begins in Agogibing and goes northwards through the Dubh River Valley and directly through to Aulavik at the shores of the Bay of St. Brendan. The other goes through the Lakelands region of the southwestern Chiefdoms, and up the western part of the country, also reaching a terminus at Aulavik. The Agogibing-Aulavik route has its origins as the main route used by the Onawean, while the Lakelands-St. Brendan route and its associated network was developed first during the period of strategic buildup in the leadup to the Onawean-Velorencian War in the 1860s, expanded during the Occupation, and further developed as the Trans-Onawean Railroad was constructed in the late 19th Century.

Air travel
The two most vital airports in Onaway are Agogibing Purcell International Airport (APX) and Chawegan Ketchum-Rearden International Airport (CWW). The former, Purcell, is the busiest airport in Onaway, handling nearly 60 million passengers in 2018. Ketchum-Rearden is its second busiest. A third, Aulavik Commonwealth Airport (AUL), is notably one of the northernmost airports in the world, and is generally the main line of providing resources from the mainland to the East Skanians, and is often used as a primary hub for the arctic region at large.

Most major cities in Onaway have an associated regional airport, many of which host scheduled commuter flights through Waabishkigwan Airlines, or other smaller charter flight services. The northernmost regions of the country almost entirely rely on air travel and freight to get between the many isolated settlements, including for or ambulance services.

Rail
The Onawean rail network is fully nationalized. Wayakwamo is the state-owned enterprise responsible for passenger rail across the country. Additionally, Wayakwamo connects to interchanges in both the Bemican and Florencian passenger rail systems. Regional subsidiaries to Wayakwamo additionally run passenger bus lines in their respective Chiefdoms. The primary hub of all overland transit in the country is Commonwealth Station in Chawegan. The major rail systems generally are concurrent with the paths taken by the A-series highways, with a line known as the Valley Direct Line connecting Chawegan and Agogibing along the A6 since 1995.

Much of the national freight service is handled through the cross-country Arn National Railway Enterprises. During the implementation of liberalizing and cost-cutting measures the 1990s, a number of the were sold off to private enterprises, but were later returned to state ownership under local municipal governments.

There are a number of municipal rail systems across Onaway. Agogibing has the most intensively developed and  systems in the nation, though  is present in other major cities, including Chawegan, Dewje'og, Eskanaba, Gewedin, Onamanitikong, and Negwegon.

Roadways
The A-series set of highways are the primary vehicular transport routes in the country, and are composed of four routes: the A6 and A12 from East to West, and the A10 and A20 from South to North. Personal automobile ownership is relatively low in the major cities of the south, but is vital for most living in rural areas, especially north of the Onawean Shield. Commuter bus lines are present, but ultimately secondary to rail in terms of regional transit. Both the A6 and A12 connect to Bemica and Florencia in multiple crossing locations. Other regional highways cross the landscape, but are the most concentrated in the southern portions of the country.

Waterways
While historically much more important to the Onawean economy, most traffic along the nation's major river systems are occupied by freight barges, especially for transport of and. The Great Lakes serve a similar economic function. Passenger transit along the nation's freshwater waterways have become less important to the nation's transport network over the last 60 years, with most still extant are ferryboats and sightseeing cruises, the latter of which has seen expansion in recent years as Onaway becomes a more popular tourist destination.

Additionally, the country has a number of saltwater ports - with the largest being Agogibing and Dewje'og in the south, as well as Aulavik on the Bay of St. Brendan.

Tourism
Onaway has a thriving tourist industry, with tourism generating 9.38 Billion US$ for the national economy, and supporting just over 418,000 tourism jobs. The bulk of interest in the nation comes from its numerous forests, beaches, rivers, and lakes, making it one of the top destinations for  in Veharia. Owing to the nation's low population density, Onaway manages the largest dedicated forest reserve system in Northern Veharia. Thanks to the nationalization of the Onawean timber industry, access for public hiking trails, campsites, and hunting areas are reserved across the country. Hunting and fishing are of great interest, both as a part of traditional Onawean indigenous and settler cultures, and among visiting outdoorspeople, mainly from Florencia. Hunting is a major part of all segments of the Onawean culture, and over 2.83 million citizens were licensed in 2018 alone. Due to this, November 15th, which is the opening day of the firearm hunting season in Onaway is a. Onaway is second only to Florencia in ownership of and  per capita worldwide.

While the vast majority of tourist dollars goes to ecotourism in Onaway, cultural and event-based tourism still retains a sizable influence in the national economy. Agogibing is a major tourist hub thanks to its numerous cultural sites, monuments, museums, and monumental skyscrapers, while Chawegan draws numerous visitors touring the nation's capital and sites of political importance, though the majority of visitors to the capital are domestic.

Outdoor, including Illumination Woods, Scene Festival, and Thunder on the River, are among the largest events of their kind worldwide for , , and , respectively, though a number of other smaller performances and live events are major parts of Onawean culture. Thanks to Onaway's lively, tourism for attendance of live music composes a respectable part of the sector.

Science and Technology
Onaway spent 7.56 Billion US$ on domestic in 2019 nationally. A number of internationally-renowned researchers in, , , and are or were Onaweans. Major discoveries made by Onawean scientists include the development of the modern, early , and the. Medical innovations made in Onaway include the discovery and development of the, , , the , and the pioneering of modern and  techniques including the creation of the , , and.

The Onawean Aerospace Exploration Agency is the nation's, which participates in space, atmospheric, aviation, and planetary research and exploration efforts, leads the nation's developments of rockets and satellites, and oversees the nation's civilian orbital infrastructure. It primarily works in conjunction with the [FLORENCIAN SPACE AGENCY], participating in the International Space Station since its inception in 2001. In 2009, Onaway launched the Bikwak program, a mission intended to do research into the origin and evolution of the. Currently, Onaway is participating in the Gabeshi project, a joint Florencian-Onawean initiative to establish a permanent by 2045.

Demographics

 * Main article: Demographics of Onaway

The 2015 Onawean Census placed the nation's population at 21,447,325 persons. The estimate for 2019 is 24,744,747 persons, a surprisingly low 1.15% growth, below the estimates anticipated for population growth up to the primary census. Two sets of censuses are taken every decade, with one every 5th year to update population growth figures, and one every decade to establish the broader demographic trends. Natural growth generally keeps pace with, but has been falling behind in the last decade as the size of modern families have declined. The growth rate between 2000 and 2010 was 14.9%, with the population in 2000 sitting at 18,251,673. While immigration is lower in comparison to neighboring Florencia, the political and economic climate has grown more favorable for immigration over the past three decades of reform. Onaway accepts large numbers of, with approximately 10% of the world's refugee population being resettled there annually.

Onaway's population density of 7.246 per square kilometer (18.8 per square mile) are among some of the lowest densities in the world. Approximately 65% of the population lives south of the Onawean Shield, with density increasing southward towards the 45th Parallel north. The most densely populated region of the country is the Dubh River Valley, host to major Onawean cities such as Agogibing and Chawegan. 67.7% reported living in areas, with 32.3 living in  areas. Furthermore, 43.2% reported living in the nation's top five major metropolitan areas.

The majority of Onaweans (71.2%) live in family households, while 25.9% report living alone. The final 2.9% reported living with unrelated persons. The average size of the Onawean household was 2.9 persons in 2010.

Education
Education in Onaway is largely provided, save for private, usually Vayonist or Aranist , which are in the vast minority of overall K-12 institutions and universities. Funding and oversight is coordinated between national, regional, and municipal governments. Education is subdivided into primary, secondary, and tertiary (collegiate and skilled trade-based) educational institutions, all of which are free of charge to all attendants (though surcharges are applied in the tertiary level for student services and examinations). Attendance is compulsory from ages five to sixteen, and the first three years of secondary school are compulsory as well. From 1939 to 1989, students at the age of 17 could legally drop out if opting to take up a term of military service. While originally opened in the leadup to the Second World War under the Purcell administration, this policy was abandoned during the Onawean constitutional restoration as a measure to the nation's youth. Education is available nationwide in either or, though students are expected to achieve fluency in both. Regional governments often offer courses in their respective languages as well, but cannot require students achieve fluency in a third language. Higher education is a prevalent institution across Onaway - each Chiefdom has at least two : one which is of a more conventional institution of higher education, and a, which stresses the education of the skilled trades, engineering, agricultural technology, and applied sciences. The nation's largest (and oldest) university is Nagel University in Chawegan, founded in 1682, and is particularly known for excelling in the, especially and , and is also home to the Commonwealth Museum, one of the largest in Northern Veharia.

Though education in Onaway is officially, as with all public institutions, the vast majority (91%) of all primary and secondary schools in the country are operated under the patronage of the Grand Onawean Nizhwaachewin Society through local lodges. However, they legally still cannot discriminate against pupils based upon religion or lack thereof, or for being part of a institutionally-protected minority group. Preference cannot be shown towards students of a particular faith, and mandatory participation in religious activities are prohibited in secondary education.

Owing to a history of easy access to education, Onaweans are considered some of the most learned people in the world. The adult literacy rate at the 2010 census was 98 percent. 40 percent of Onaweans aged 25-64 possessed at least a partial post-secondary education, increasing to 46 percent of those between 25 and 34. Roughly 65 percent of all citizens with a tertiary education are graduates of a polytechnic school working in a skilled trade or career in applied sciences, and the remainder have a conventional university education. According to a World Concordat report, Onawean students often perform above the global average, particularly in science and reading.

Ethnic Makeup

 * Main article: Onawean people

According to the 2010 Onawean census, the country's largest self-reported ethnic identity was Onawean (27.8%), followed by (24.3%),  (20.9%), Salio-Onawean (8.9%),  (6.6%),  (3.4%), and. Other indigenous peoples in Onaway accounted for 2 percent of the national population, and other non-indigenous peoples accounted for a total of 3.8 percent, with half of that figure (1.9%) representing Myro-Onaweans and Bemicans. Non-indigenous Azoran populations and some segments of Measctha tend to have lower overall birth rates, and the indigenous populations tend to grow at twice the rate of their non-indigenous counterparts, with the Nodawa being the fastest-growing indigenous minority in modern times.

The Onawean ethnic delineation was introduced in 1961 as a means of overcoming identity qualifications based around, a remnant policy of both the colonial Salian and Velorencian occupations. Confusions over if or not a person was considered indigenous, measctha (mixed-heritage), or a settler group proved to be a perennial issue for demographers and statisticians in Onaway due to the fluidity of the numerous identities in Onawean history. Between 1961 and 1991, Onaweans were officially described as "persons of mixed heritage between two or more groups within two generations", as to differentiate from the historical measctha population. This definition grew to be controversial due to numerous problematic implications that led to a rise in civil strife based around negative views of in many indigenous communities. The modern definition simply refers to Onaweans as "persons born in Onaway who do not strongly feel associated to a singular cultural identity". Self-reporting and usage of the term in reference to ethnicity has remained largely steady at around a quarter of the national population since 1990.

Language
A number of languages are spoken by Onaweans, with the official languages of and  being the  of 51 and 26 percent of the national population, respectively. In 2010, 4.4 Million (roughly 21% of the population) listed a non-national language as their mother tongue. The majority of this group spoke one of Onaway's recognized regional languages - ones which have official usage in one or more Chiefdom in the Commonwealth. These include, Salish minority languages such as Cánach, Cídeas, and , other indigenous languages such as and , as well as other dialects of Ziibwingon, and the Onawean   known as Véisagod. A policy of is practiced nationally. Salish and Ziibwingon have equal status in legal proceedings on the national level, in government, and in all public institutions. All citizens have the right to receive public services, documents, and resources in either Salish and Ziibwingon, and speakers of minority languages are secured the right to these from their regional and local government. Florentine, Elyrian, and Zhenian compose large subsets of minority languages spoken in Onaway, but these do not have official status

Multiple forms of are practiced in Onaway as well, with  and  being the most prevalent, though both have significant influence from.

Health
The average life expectancy in Onaway is 71 for men and 78 for women. This is below the global average for a number of reasons, many owing to the hazardous geography and low population density of Onaway. In 2010, the life expectancy showed slightly higher average lifespans for persons of indigenous descent than those of settler populations. Additionally, the life expectancy tends to be higher among populations south of the Onawean Shield than those to the north, which is thought to be both due to more favorable geography which allows more developed infrastructure, alongside a much less processed, high-protein, high-fiber diet which is lauded by dietitians and health experts in the developed world for its nutritional value. is the leading cause of death in the country. occurs in Onaway at the highest rates in the Western Hemisphere, though, especially among youth, are among the lowest. and remain at a steady rate in Onaway, especially due to its deeply ingrained smoking culture, but prognosis has improved over recent decades, and stage-4 diagnoses have become steadily less common since the 1990s. Other health concerns in recent years include increasing rates of, , and a over the past 50 years.

Onaway has offered a nationally-funded system since 1947, funded 23% by personal income tax and 77% from taxation on commercial enterprises and other sources. Though it historically has lagged behind Azoran countries in terms of technological advancement, Onaway is considered to be the heart of globally, as a medical philosophy based around creating a healthy environment for the patient's psychological well-being and occasional uses of  where scientifically valid defines the unique Onawean system. As such, mental health and understanding brain function is a major priority at present for the Onawean medical industry, as it has the highest incidence of in the world, and historically struggled with a high suicide rate in comparison to other countries of similar development. Mental disorders in general are among the most common reasons for workplace disability in Onaway.

Substance abuse, while on the decline thanks to recent policy reforms, remains an issue for Onawean public health following decline from its peak in the late 1970s. is often seen as an integral part of traditional culture, and while smoking is banned in the workplace and in many public spaces, remains ubiquitous in Onawean life. Both a domestic and imported brewing culture from Salians and other North Azoran settlers and immigrants remains prominent, and due to this, is an ongoing issue within many segments of society, which in turn has led to greater incidents of  in these areas. usage was legalized in 2004. Some major municipalities are engaging in pilot projects to see the effects of a system of universal legalization with state-offered rehabilitation centers, and have seen a general decline in usage of "hard drugs", as abuse of narcotics such as and prescription  have been a major issue especially in rural parts of the country.

Religion
Religious freedom is constitutionally enshrined in Onaway. However, the has been a slow process, more so than other democratic states, and often stands in contrast to the otherwise reform-minded Onawean political discourse. Nizhwaachewin is by far the nation's largest religion, and the Grand Onawean Nizhwaachewin Society was the nation's until 2009. This status was brought to an end via a constitutional amendment, which divorced the Society from the national government. Despite this, it still retains a special position within society, and is officially titled the "Onawean People's Faith". Up until the 2012 elections, members of the National Diet were required to be members of the GONS, and at least half of all government officials and bureaucrats had to be members as well. Up until then, members of the Nizhwaachewi, known as Midas, were also listed as public employees. Most Onaweans recieve the Nizhwaachewi (called wayeshkadin) upon reaching the  (defined officially as 5 years of age). Actual religiosity, however, has generally been in decline, with many using the faith to participate in community events and various. These events include wayeshkadin (similar to ), odaapinigaade (a rite of passage considered to be a transition into adulthood, undertaken at age 17), widigendiwin, and bagidinan.

Vayonism is the second-largest religious denomination practiced in Onaway. Its membership declined during the 20th Century, but has seen a small increase in attendance in recent years. While vastly in the minority compared to the first two established religions, Florencian Fundamentalism has entrenched itself in the Onawean religious landscape, though it too has been in general decline over the previous century. Additionally, Aranism and Wuism have a small presence thanks to increased immigration following the constitutional restoration.

While nearly all schools in Onaway are run by religious institutions, the overall trend among the nation's youth is towards a secular lifestyle, embracing "Philosophical Nizhwaachewi" as a non-dogmatic set of ethics rather than a religious practice. As such, has become the second-largest self-reported affiliation in the country since 2010.

Society and Culture
Onawean culture is defined as - one which neither ignores or embraces its past as part of Azoran colonial empires, but rather, one which recognizes it as part of its history and contextualizes it in the greater social landscape of a  and. It draws from a wide range of ethnic and national groups, though the seven "cornerstone groups" in Onaway are the indigenous, , , the Azoran Salish and Myrish, and the two branches of the , which were the descendants of parentage from both indigenous and settler groups. These intermingling set of influences in traditions going back centuries continues to play into the nation's cultural and social development. This high degree of is considered to be one of the nation's key cultural accomplishments by those living in Onaway, and has allowed for the formation of an identity which transcends traditional ideas of nationality. As a whole, Onaway is considered to have a "cultural gradient" - one where anyone could point out a specific point on the spectrum as distinct, but which is a continuity that fades into each other at varying degree throughout. The spaces in between distinct points are considered to have blurred over several years of political struggle against both foreign and domestic aggression. As such, the Onawean character is considered to be one of "patience, wit, and a demand for mutual respect".

Visual Arts
Onawean art history extends back far into the pre-colonial era of the Commonwealth's history, as evident in the numerous sites across the southern portion of the country, especially in the Lakelands region of the southwest. It is estimated that roughly 50,000 exist in the country, with most suspected of being undiscovered in remote portions of the country. A number of  plates have been discovered dating between the 10th and 15th Centuries CE in sites occupied by the, which influenced later metalworking undertaken by the Ziibwingon and their ancestors. Additionally, the Ziibwingon often worked with textile, hide, and bead as artistic media for most of its existence. North of the Onawean Shield, the Skandarin cultures of the arctic north are well-known domestically and abroad for their soapstone and walrus ivory carvings defined by an almost style. Due to their uniqueness, it is common for art from the East Skandarin Islands to be given as state gifts to foreign dignitaries. Following the arrival of Salian and Myrish colonists in the 16th century, a synthesis of art styles began to take place. Most notable was the reintroduction of stone carving and sculpture as a medium for indigenous peoples in Onaway. During the Voyages of Discovery undertaken by the Old Salians, a number of stone were erected as markers of important moments in the shared history of the Ziibwingon and these early explorers. Many of these monuments were lost over the centuries, but evidence of their erection can be discerned by indentations located in the centers of settlements that were believed to have been sites of co-habitation of the Ziibwingon and Old Salians. The Laid O'Bannon stone, believed to be the first of these monoliths, was destroyed following the conquest of Chawegan by the Velorencian Empire, but was recreated between 1924-25 under the direction of Nagel University historians.

Following independence in 1824, the were the primary actors in developing the arts of the young nation. These artists often sought to emulate the styles of the Azoran masters, with realism and depictions of the outdoors becoming a common motif in art. Often, the figures depicted would be interacting with the landscape in a non-violent manner, a pattern established from one artist, Chaska Mullens (1800-1862), and their specific distaste with paintings of, seeing it as "needless glorification of bloodshed inflicted upon the world". For much of the First Kingdom's history, there was a conflict between these artists, called the New Measctha, and the Old Measctha, which sought to continue the creative traditions of their indigenous ancestors that had been suppressed under the yoke of the Salian Empire. The struggle between traditional and contemporary styles would be a trend which continued throughout the political development of the country, one which especially intensified during the leadup to and duration of the Onaweans' conflict with the Velorencians, which engaged in several attempts to erase Onawean culture throughout the 1876-88 occupation. Following the establishment of the Second Kingdom, both of these schools of thought grew to coalesce around the rise in popularity of, with themes of nostalgia and escapism, as well as the budding concept of Onendiwing, thought to be a quirk of the Onawean character which describes "a sense of loss or yearning for something in the past that never quite existed", initially thought to be idealism about the country prior to either the Velorencian or Imperial Salian occupations, and a mourning for a loss of national innocence. One such artist who expressed this concept was the sculptor Laoise Nerney (1851-1910), who used figures from both Classical Elysian culture as well as historic figures in Onawean oral tradition as subjects, and became the first truly famous Onawean artist in Azora. This tradition of "melancholic expressionism" would later be dubbed the Woodland School, which continues to inform Onawean art into the present.

20th Century art, especially post-Second World War, has often been defined by, often. This trend was initiated by the Sauk Strait Seven, a group of artists who worked in, with their projects heavily informed by their experiences during the Liberation of Kilalurak, and their later disillusionment with the Social Republican movement, and later their own country. Following the 1956 Coup, the Seven relocated to Bemica, where they continued their art careers as a form of protest against the authoritarian government. This contrasted greatly with the monumental projects undertaken under the 1995-87 reign of King Tihkusue, who used art and architecture to inspire nationalism and civic unity. From 1987 onwards, mixed media and created in Onaway has sought to re-frame indigenous Onawean traditions through the lens of politics and social justice concerns, with art increasingly becoming visible as a "counter" to the  of the Years of the Vulture.

Cuisine
Much of Onawean cuisine has a clear line back to pre-Colonial cuisine, with "Northern" and "Southern" variations defined by interaction with either Myrish or Salian settlers over the centuries. Seasonality plays an important role in the food culture of the nation, and meals tend to be lighter and vegetable-forward in the warmer months, and richer in the winter. Additionally, it is common practice for breakfasts and lunches to be minimally prepared, with the evening meal serving as the sole hot meal of the day. Because of this, the Onawean diet tends to be minimally-processed,

Crops which are prominently featured include, , (especially ), , , and. Traditional Azoran grains such as and  have been introduced as well, but are generally less prevalent due to constraints on arable land. is a common grain-based staple of the Onawean diet, though as wheat becomes more available, has also become a mainstay. A number of fruits play a major role in the traditional Onawean diet, including, , and , which has been further supplemented by the Azoran introduction of and. is also incredibly important in traditional Ziibwingon cuisine, and is still used as the primary sweetener in many Onawean dishes.

A wide range of animal meats are utilized in Onawean cooking. Fish, especially, , and , features heavily in Onawean cooking, while and  are considered an uncommon delicacy. and other is occasionally used as well. Aside from fish, the primary meat used in traditional cuisine is or, though  is also used in the remote north. Salt was not commonly used prior to the arrival of Azorans, but herbs such as, , and feature prevalently in the preparation of meats. Salted fish is a mainstay of Northern Onawean food thanks to the influence of Myrish settlers from Bemica. is the most commonly farmed form of livestock, but has become more popular over the years thanks to primarily Myrish and Florencian influences. Meats are typically grilled in the south, while mincing and ground meats are more common in the north. Onaway's national dish is the Nabagibozigan (Literally: flat bread, or "open sandwich"). It is generally considered to be fundamentally Onawean, merging elements found the nation's three main cultural groups and their respective culinary traditions, and variations can be had at any meal. Based on the Myrish, nabagibozigan substitutes the traditional rye bread for or. Any number of toppings can be added, and often can be quite varied and complex in composition. "Southern" nabagibozigan often features more fruits, nuts, and vegetables, and tends to have grilled and chopped meat when served. Venison and pork are generally favored. "Northern" variations often tend to be heartier, and feature ground meats, richer sauces, and raw, thinly-sliced fish. Okon, a form of roughly-chopped, is a quintessentially-northern ingredient on nabagibozigan. Northern-style nabagibozigan is sometimes called "Onaway Sushi" abroad for its use of rice, variety of raw seafood, and rich sauces. One common topping for nabagibozigan seen across the nation is an herbal, creamy spread similar to known as wawanebimde.

Mead is the most commonly-drank alcoholic beverage in Onaway. The practice is believed to have been introduced to the Ziibwingon during the Old Salish expeditions, which occurred during the medieval Voyages of Discovery prior to the Colonial Era. Contemporary mead production techniques were brought to Onaway during colonization by both the Salish and Myrish, and today is a widespread institution in Onawean culinary culture, with variations of ingredients indicative of the local environment. Because of the various regional terroirs seen in Onaway, it is considered in poor taste to source ingredients from further than 50 miles from each individual meadery. During the Years of the Vulture, it was illegal to do so, and universal standards for aging and fermentation were implemented to ensure a high bar of quality for the export market. Because of these standards, Onaway has the largest mead exports in the world, as the remarkable diversity of meads in production at a price point accessible for most households allows for a large purchaser base in many countries.

Literature
The storytelling tradition of the Onaweans stretches back to the oral tradition of the Ziibwingon people, as well as other indigenous groups in Onaway. Due to the richness of their stories, it is often studied alongside the mythologies of ancient Azora for its themes and throughlines to the present day iterations of their respective cultures. The bulk of post-1824 Onawean literature is written in, though occupies roughly equal space on shelves with Salian domestically. Four major themes often appear in historic Onawean literature: the interaction between man and nature, the conflict between modernity and tradition, the equalizing force of wit, and a longing for community. Like Onawean visual art, the concept of Onendiwing is said to make itself known, especially among literary works of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the latter half of the 20th century, Onawean literature was well-known for its forays into, including Nosh Koy's 1967 novel The Sound of One Hand Clapping, which was banned domestically for a number of years during the reign of Tihkusue for its implied political messages, despite winning numerous awards for literary merit abroad. Numerous other authors and poets have achieved accolades for their work, including Winona Kiwindok, who recieved [NOBEL PRIZE] for her collection of works My Mother's Mother's Father in 1990, which explored the identity crisis of people in Onaway.

Media

 * Further information: Onawean television, List of newspapers in Onaway

The Onawean media, like much of the nation's economy, is defined by the often unorthodox relationship between state-owned enterprises and those operated outside the government. There are three state-owned mass media firms operated in Onaway: MO (the nation's primary broadcaster), Teilialfa (considered MO's  counterpart), and WBE, which serves as the nation's paramount news and sports broadcaster, as well as the umbrella company for most  stations and  programming outside of the major cities. Nook Media, based in Agogibing, is the largest non-state entity in the national media landscape, which owns the nation's largest circulating newspaper, Fógróir. Nook and its subsidiaries abroad is also largely responsible for the distribution and translation of Onawean media abroad. Fógróir has a modest following across the Western Hemisphere, but is best known outside of Onaway for its work in film-making.

Cinema

 * Main article: Cinema of Onaway

Onaway's film industry saw its origins in the early days of, with the nation's first public cinema opening in 1906. Despite this, Onaway's own film achievements were heavily overshadowed by those of Florencia for much of the century. However, during the 1970s, Onaway became a popular site for filming, owing to its large swathes of uninhabited land at the height of the popularity of the in both Florencia and Azora. Between 1974 and 1999, Onaway grew to surpass Florencia in the sheer volume of films produced and released, a rate which increased throughout the late 1980s before taping off towards the end of the 1990s as the market began to consolidate. While the overall size of the industry declined, the consolidation of the nation's major studios led to a blossoming of across the country, which while not garnering much attention abroad outside of global, have grown to become an important part of maintaining and preserving local and national identity in the face of. Beyond local events, the Veharia Film Festival, one of the largest in the hemisphere, is located in Okimanitong.

Notable modern comedies with followings abroad include Cubicle Farm (1995), an which spawned a popular television series of the same name and It's A Living (2014), a slice-of-life film exploring the dysfunction of a small, multi-generational community in Washdenong Chiefdom attempting to navigate the transition from life during the Years of the Vulture into the present. Recent Onawean dramas include Passage from Memory (1990), The Spider (1994), and acclaimed experimental horror film My Head Is Full of Ghosts (2014).

One of Onaway's biggest contribution to global cinema in recent years has been the phenomena of. A colloquialism named after the city of Dewje'og, Ogging is a process of making independent films on a small or nonexistent budget, using equipment available on the consumer market, and with scenes filmed often in one take. This is based on the film Blockbuster (2008), which follows two employees at a video store during the decline of VHS as a popular home cinema media, who attempt to record 100 films over the period of a single month in order to hold a local film festival and try to stop their shop from going bankrupt after their festival gets little attention. When their supervisor asks where the 100 independent films promised for the festival were, the workers would reply "the reels are on a truck in Dewje'og" then give an excuse for their delay based on increasingly unlikely causes, ranging from a brake failure to a flesh-eating virus. After the release of Blockbuster, director and scriptwriter Ian Hokum encouraged other young people to "ogg" their own films, owing to their ethos of, especially independent film presented that way, as the most pure, democratic form of media.

Music

 * Main article: Music of Onaway

Onawean music and dance has a long and varied history, enjoying a wide range of genres and performance styles. It has numerous cultural influences, though paramount are those of and, though  have come to sit at the root of a number of modern musical forms seen in the nation and abroad. As post-independence Onaway has become more diverse, a greater range of cultures have become present in the musical landscape of the country, including Florencians, Kilalurans, and Zhenians, among many others. Purely "Onawean" music began to flower during and after the Onawean War of Resistance against the Velorencian Empire in the 1870s and 1880s, becoming an expression of national identity and cultural unity. Traditional forms of music are often extensions of indigenous, with songs passing down the histories and folklores of the storyteller and their culture. Traditional instrumentation includes, , and , though string instruments, especially the , have become an integral part of Onawean traditional music since the earliest days of Salish and Myrish settlement. Forms of music more closely linked to Azoran traditions tend to be more instrumental in nature, though shares many of the same thematic elements of their indigenous counterparts.

Performance of these forms of music, especially those the closest to indigenous traditions, also happens during events known as, where multiple forms of are displayed, which are sometimes categorized by special varieties of costume worn, such as the  or. Recently, state-sponsored performance companies have been on tour throughout multiple countries, part of a phenomenon that has been dubbed "Powwow diplomacy", thought to be a bid to increase favorable ideas about Onaway among the general public by cultural exposure to their traditions, and to spur economic and social interest in the country.

Beyond the traditional forms of music, contemporary Onaweans enjoy a number of modern styles of music. These include several forms of rock, pop, modern folk, and electronic music. A number of acts are active in Onaway at any time, as evident in the country's place as hosting the sixth largest recording industry in the world. Outdoor are an important part of modern Onawean music culture, and take place across the country, with events exhibiting nearly all forms of music seen in the country.

Sport
Organized sports have a long and storied past in Onaway, with many dating to the early phases of Salish settlement in the country, as is evident in the country's national sport,, which is thought to have first begun as a form of nonviolent ritual warfare among the early Ziibwingon before being codified in the 18th century during Salish colonial rule. , sometimes called winter bagaade, was introduced by settlers from Andemyr and Bemica, as well as other North Azoran immigrants during the 19th Century. Numerous other sports are enjoyed on both an amateur and professional level in Onaway, some of the most prominent being, , , , , , , , and other forms of boating, and the study of.

Owing to and feeding into Onaway's automotive culture, plays a large role in the nation's culture. The Dewje'og Grand Prix is one of the largest events in Veharia, with a track that goes through the heart of the eponymous city. However, events are historically the most followed in this category, with the  being chief among them. The most famous is the Grizzly Rally, a race which follows a path across the northern region of the country from [NEIGHBORING] to [NEIGHBORING]. The event began in 1972 as a bid by Onawean auto manufacturer Keaton Motors to display the hardiness and reliability of their flagship vehicle, the Kodiak. The events of the race were filmed, and the resulting documentary became a classic in Onawean cinema of the era. owing to the personal magnetism of driver Harvey O'Fahy, who was said to have "embodied the do-it-yourself spirit of young Onaweans of the time". Because of its success, a similar event was held the next year, run by O'Fahy himself in conjunction with KMC, challenged outdoorsmen and engineers alike to follow the same course with him in their own cars, which were to be "personally modified in some way as to display superior resilience to the elements and efficiency in operation," offering 500,000 Miswabiks to first to cross into [CITY]. 19 drivers joined O'Fahy for the race, which became the first Grizzly Rally. The race has come to become a celebration of in Onaway, and has often become a way for budding engineers to find employment in the auto industry, as well as display innovations from outside of the business as well.