Transition 2021 Minister Hajdu Indigenous Services Canada overview - Book 1

Early Contacts

• First Nations people and Inuit lived in what is present day Canada at time of contact
• Encountered settlers from 1534 to the early 1900s
• Engaged in trade, military alliances and Peace and Friendship Treaties
• Unions between First Nations women and settlers created a distinct Métis culture

Colonial and Canadian Era

• Royal Proclamation, 1763: British Crown acknowledged Indigenous rights to lands, established protocols for treaty-making and formalized the Crown-Indigenous relationship. A series of land surrender treaties were concluded in what is now Southern Ontario.
• After being considered military allies, Indigenous peoples were increasingly viewed as a detriment to the proper development of the colonies
• Policies of Civilization 1820s: new policies are put in place to create reserve lands for First Nations while encouraging Indigenous communities to abandon traditional ways of life for ones more similar to that of British settlers.
• Education and lands 1840s and 1850s: increased efforts are placed on establishing schools for Indigenous children and the imposition of settler concepts of land ownership
• British North America Act, 1867: section 91(24) assigns federal jurisdiction over "Indians, and lands reserved for the Indians".
• Numbered Treaties, 1871-1921: 11 numbered treaties signed in Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories for respectful co-existence, some treaties included socio-economic provisions, such as a medicine chest, schools or economic means (e.g. "cows and plows").
• Indian Act, established in 1876, as a means of assimilation, which led to direct control of communities and reserves, imposition of education systems, controlled movement of Indians through pass system, gender discrimination against women who married non-Indigenous men and loss of status via enfranchisement.
• Paternalism 1880s-1950s: despite the creation of wide-ranging social, health care and education programs, the core activities of the Department focus on efforts to control Indigenous Peoples such as through residential schools and forced relocations
• Bryce Report, 1907: Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce, submitted a report to the Department, revealing that overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions in residential schools were spreading disease and that students were dying from it. Deputy superintendent Duncan Campbell Scott disregarded the report and prevented it from being officially published.
• Federal proposals to transfer on-reserve service delivery to provinces resulted in only the Canada-Ontario 1965 Indian Welfare Agreement.

Activism and Rights Assertions

• 1940s: in the post-war period, regional Indigenous organizations are formed to advocate for changes to policies and improvements to the deteriorating state of Indigenous communities.
• 1969: White Paper – federal policy statement intended to repeal the Indian Act and assimilate Indigenous Peoples into broader Canadian society; Indigenous Peoples responded with Red Paper for recognition of Indigenous Peoples and their treaty rights.
• 1971: National Indian Brotherhood, later Assembly of First Nations (AFN), provides Canada-wide representation of Indigenous Peoples. Also, 1971 marks the creation of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the primary organization representing Inuit in Canada, out of concerns of Inuit leaders regarding land and resource ownership in Inuit Nunangat.
• 1983: Creation of the Métis National Council (MNC), the organization representing the Métis Nation nationally and internationally.

Recognition

• Modern Treaties 1873: the Calder decision of 1973 pushes the Government of Canada to recognize outstanding Indigenous rights over lands and the adoption of the comprehensive land claims process to negotiate new treaties with Indigenous communities.
• Section 35 of Constitution Act, 1982, recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples (defined as First Nations, or "Indians," Inuit and Métis).
• Indigenous Peoples advocated for their recognition during attempted Meech Lake Accord, 1990 and Charlottetown Accord, 1992.
• 1991-1996: Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples made 350 recommendations, including the enactment of legislation and creation of institutions that would provide the authority for Indigenous Peoples' self -determination.

Devolution and Community-based Services

• Over the years, colonial policies have existed that contributed to the disempowerment of Indigenous Peoples. However, progress has been made to recognize and implement Indigenous rights and self -determination.
• Indigenous Control 1970s-1980s: federal programs and policies are changed to allow for increased local control by community governments, starting with schools and education services in the 1970s and later for band governance in the 1980s.
• Indian Health Policy, 1979: development of a new policy approach to First Nation health-care that focuses on a more inclusive and community led services.
• Cree Naskapi Act, 1984 and Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act, 1986: first agreements to pull First Nations outside of Indian Act to create self-government.
• Inherent Right Policy, 1995: establishment of a negotiated process to establish self -government agreements resulted in 22 agreements across 43 communities, and is a central component to Modern Treaties.
• First Nations Land Management Act, 1999: creation of a regime for First Nations to opt-out of 40 Indian Act provisions on land, environment and resources, to develop their own land and resources management codes. Similar regimes established in a range of areas, including fiscal management, First Nations elections, commercial development, and oil and gas management.
• Self-determination through federalism:
  • 1999: Territory of Nunavut created; and
  • 2014: Northwest Territories became the second territory to take over land and resources responsibilities, as the final major step in the territory's devolution process.

Modernizing Services

• 2015: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission examining the impacts of Residential Schools issues 94 Calls to Action to guide the reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
• 2017: announcement of the dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and creation of two new departments: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).
• 2017: First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) joins ISC after 70 years of operation under Health Canada.
• ISC is committed to supporting and empowering Indigenous control over delivery of services and improving socio - economic conditions and quality of life in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities; key to Indigenous self - determination.
• 2019:
  • A legislative mandate for ISC to work towards the transfer of departmental responsibilities and collaborate with Indigenous partners in all aspects of service delivery.
  • The Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families became an official law, and on January 1, 2020, its provisions came into force.
  • The Indigenous Languages Act which is intended to support the reclamation, revitalization, maintaining and strengthening of Indigenous languages received Royal Assent.
• 2020-21: COVID response sees unprecedented investments in programs and services to support Indigenous communities and businesses through the pandemic and strengthened partnership with Indigenous leadership.
• 2021:
  • Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People is launched.
  • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act received Royal Assent.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL

• First Nations and Inuit populations are affected by major health issues, including lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes) and communicable diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS), higher infant mortality rates and higher suicide rates, relative to the broader Canadian population.
• The three-year rate of tuberculosis from 2016 to 2018 was 0.5 cases per 100,000 population for the non-Indigenous Canadian-born population. This compares to:
  • First Nations with status living on-reserve: 24.3 cases per 100,000
  • Inuit in Inuit Nunangat: 211 cases per 100,000
• The infant mortality rate for the non-Indigenous population in Canada was 4.4 per 1,000 singleton births. This compares to:
  • First Nations: 9.2 per 1,000 singleton births (2.1 times higher)
  • Inuit: 12.3 per 1,000 singleton births (2.8 times higher)
  • Métis: 10.5 per 1,000 singleton births (2.4 times higher)
• The projected life expectancy at birth for the non-Indigenous population in Canada was 81.4 years for males and 87.3 for females. This compares to:
  • First Nations: 72.5 for males and 77.7 for females
  • Inuit: 70.0 for males and 76.1 for females
  • Métis: 76.9 for males and 82.3 for females
• Gaps in basic living conditions (e.g., housing, water) also have significant impacts on long-term health status improvements.
• First Nations and Inuit people also face many of the same emerging health priorities as other Canadians (e.g., aging, mental health), but often with more acute consequences due to their poorer access to immediate and preventative health services.
• Indigenous children currently represent 52.2% of children in foster care while accounting for only 7.7% of the overall population of children under 15.

HOUSING

6.0% of the non-Indigenous population lived in a dwelling in need of major repairs in 2016. This compares to:

• Registered Indian on-reserve: 40.0%
• Registered Indian off-reserve: 12.2%
• Non-Status Indian: 12.3%
• Inuit: 21.8%
• Métis: 10.3%

The proportion of non-Indigenous dwellings classified as crowded was 1.8% in 2016. This compares to:

• Registered Indian on-reserve: 12.7%
• Registered Indian off-reserve: 2.7%
• Non-Status Indian: 1.1%
• Inuit: 16.0%
• Métis: 0.8%

Homelessness

• 30% of homeless 19,536 respondents across 61 communities in Canada identified as an Indigenous Person, with the majority identifying as First Nations

EDUCATION

There remain persistent gaps in educational attainment among 25 to 64 year olds. The non-Indigenous population with high school education or higher was 89.2% in 2016. This compares to:

• Registered Indian on-reserve: 57.0%
• Registered Indian off-reserve: 75%
• Non-Status Indian: 80.3%
• Inuit: 55.9%
• Métis: 82.3%

The proportion of non-Indigenous Peoples with university (Bachelor or higher) education increased from 20.1% in 2001 to 29.3% in 2016. This compares to:

• Registered Indian on-reserve: 3.4% in 2001 and 5.4% in 2016.
• Registered Indian-off reserve: 6.8% in 2001 and 11.3% in 2016.
• Non-Status Indian: 7.0% in 2001 and 11.9% in 2016.
• Inuit: Inuit with university-level education was 2.5% in 2001 and 5.3% in 2016.
• Métis: Métis with university-level education was 7.0% in 2001 and 13.6% in 2016.
• Although persistent, the gap in educational attainment between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations is shrinking particularly amongst the Inuit and Métis where the proportion of those with a university education nearly doubled from 2001 to 2016.
• In 2019, ISC introduced a new funding formula that ensures that base funding provided for Education is comparable to provincial systems across the country.

EMPLOYMENT

Employment rates were 62% in 2001 and 60.5% in 2016 for Canada's non-Indigenous population. This compares to:

• First Nations: Employment rate for Registered Indians on reserve decreased slightly from 37% in 2001 to 36.3% in 2016.
• Registered Indians off-reserve: the employment rate increased from 48% in 2001 to 50.7% in 2016.
• Non-Status Indians: the employment rate increased slightly from 56% in 2001 to 56.5% in 2016.
• Inuit: Employment rate for Inuit remained stable between 49% in 2001 to 48.9% in 2016
• Métis: Employment rate for Métis increased slightly from 60% in 2001 to 60.5% in 2016.

INCOME

Substantial gaps in median employment income persist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. The median income of the non-Indigenous population in 2015 was $34,013. This compares to:

• Registered Indian on-reserve: $17,251
• Registered Indian off-reserve: $26,304
• Non-Status Indian: $26,525
• Inuit: $20,939
• Métis: $31,675

INTERGENERATIONAL IMPACTS

• Residential Schools: An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were removed and separated from their families and communities to attend residential schools between 1831 and 1996.
• Relocation and Displacement: The forced relocation of Inuit families to the High Arctic in the 1950s to exert Canadian sovereignty in the North resulted in dislocation and starvation. Inuit families were broken up as loved ones were sent to southern Canada for medical treatment during the tuberculosis epidemic, which lasted from the 1940s to the 1960s, many never to return.
• Sixties Scoop: Over 11,000 First Nations children* were taken from their home and families and placed in foster care, and eventually adopted out to non-Indigenous families across Canada and the United States.
• Unmarked burials: Several unmarked burial sites have been located near former residential schools across Canada in the last year acting as a stark reminder of past injustices and a call to action to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Actions, particularly 71-76.

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1991-1996

• 350 recommendations
• Recognition and implementation of the right to self-determination, as well as enactment of legislation to create new laws and institutions to provide authority and tools for Indigenous peoples to structure their own political, social and economic future
• Gathering Strength, Canada's response to the report is released in 1997

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission

• Initiated by 2006 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and 2008 statement of apology, combined with findings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples led to the launch of a national Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Final report was released in 2015 with 94 Calls to Action to:
  • renew the relationship and decolonize institutions
  • close socio-economic gaps and foster healing
  • engage and educate Canadians
• Canada's response being advanced through various initiatives (e.g., Indigenous Languages Act, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Legislation, amending the Oath to Citizenship, establishing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as an official federal statutory holiday to be marked annually on September 30, 2021, etc.)

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

• High rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls caused the Government of Canada to launch a national inquiry in 2016, independent from the federal government
• Final report was released in 2019 with 231 Calls to Justice
• Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual People is launched in June 2021

Education Transformation Regional Education Agreements

• Establishment of unique education agreements that were/are supported by a combination of the participating First Nations' core K-12 education funding and proposal-based funding:

• The Tripartite Education Framework Agreement in British Columbia (2012-2017)
• The Manitoba First Nations School System in Manitoba (2017)
• The Maskwacis Education Services Commission in Alberta (2018)
• Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Education Authority in Alberta (2019)
• Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority in Saskatchewan (2019)
• Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Education Authority in Saskatchewan (2020)
• Whitecap Dakota Tripartite Regional Education Agreement in Saskatchewan (2020)
• Elsipogtog First Nation Education Authority in New Brunswick (2021)
• Treaty Education Alliance in Saskatchewan (2021)

Child and Family Services

• An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families, 2019
• First co-developed legislation between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis representatives to reform Indigenous Child and Family Services
• Affirms the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis to exercise jurisdiction over Child and Family Services to keep families together and reduce the number of Indigenous children in foster care
• As of August 2021, over 100 Indigenous groups and communities had started to develop Indigenous Child and Family Services policies, models and laws based on their particular histories, cultures, and circumstances. Some 73 proposals and more than $30 million in funding to build capacity has been approved for communities in preparation for exercising jurisdiction over Child and Family Services.
• Progress has been made towards having Indigenous Child and Family Services laws receive force of law as federal law through tripartite coordination agreements under the Act, with 17 coordination agreement discussions ongoing, one completed with Cowessess First Nation, and about 20 discussions expected to begin annually over the next few years.

COVID-19 Response

• Over the course of 2020 and 2021, Canada worked closely with Indigenous partners to support community-led responses to COVID-19 through existing ISC programming, significant new investments in public health, and a variety of financial supports to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

• The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act received Royal Assent in June 21, 2021, and immediately came into force.
• The legislation advances the implementation of the Declaration as a key step in renewing the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples and provides a framework for reconciliation, healing and peace, as well as harmonious and cooperative relations based on the principles of justice, democracy, respect for human rights, non-discrimination and good faith.

Fiscal Management

• First Nations Fiscal Management Act, 2006, provides First Nations with support and tools to strengthen local economies.
• Established key institutions – the First Nations Financial Management Board (FNFMB), the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) and the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC).

Modern Treaties and Land Claims

• Treaties define rights, benefits and obligations for the signatories. Modern treaties can cover land ownership, financial settlements, self-government, and resource revenue sharing.
• The James Bay and Northern Quebec Cree Agreement was the first modern treaty. Canada has since signed 25 additional treaties with Indigenous groups, including modern land claims with the four Inuit regions.
• Modern treaties form the basis of Canada's relationship with 97 Indigenous communities (representing about 89,000 Indigenous Peoples). These agreements provide holders certainty on land rights for around 40% of Canada's land mass.

First Nations Land Management

• Since 1999, First Nations can opt-out of 44 sections of the Indian Act on land management and develop their own laws about land use, environment and natural resources, pursuant to the First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA).
• There are currently 99 First Nations that are managing their lands pursuant to the First Nations Land Management Act, with an additional 62 in the process of developing their land codes.
• Similar opt-in legislations to the First Nations Land Management Act have been created to increase First Nations control over elections, oil and gas management as well as commercial development.

Self-Government Agreements with Métis Nation in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan

• First self-government agreements signed with the Métis governments in 2019.
• Agreements recognize Métis jurisdiction in core governance areas, including citizenship, leadership and land development.

First Nations

• Climate change
• Recovery post-pandemic
• Nation re-building and rights recognition
• New fiscal relationship
• Child & Family Services and Jordan's Principle*
• Sixties Scoop claims process
• Implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 Calls to Action plus Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry's 231 Calls to Justice
• Trauma-informed mental health and cultural supports
• Policing and community safety
• Infrastructure (access to clean water, emergency management, etc.)

Inuit

• Inuit-Crown land claims
• Inuit Nunangat policy space
• Recovery post-pandemic
• Inuktut revitalization, maintenance, and promotion
• Reconciliation measures
• Education, early learning, and training
• Health and wellness (COVID-19 relief, tuberculosis elimination, Inuit-led suicide prevention, etc.)
• Environment and climate change
• Housing and infrastructure
• Economic development and procurement
• Legislative priorities
• Food security
• Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Métis Nation

• Governance
• Recognition
• Reconciliation
• Recovery post-pandemic
• Improving socio-economic conditions
• Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• Implementation of the Supreme Court's Daniels decision

*Jordan's Principle is a child-first principle that is a legal obligation of Canada to address the unmet needs of First Nations children in health, social and education, no matter where they live in Canada.

*Information based on Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Native Women's Association of Canada and Congress of Aboriginal Peoples election priorities, and existing Métis National Council statements.

Self-determination and service transfer*

• There has been an acceleration of the movement to increase Indigenous control over services delivered to Indigenous citizens. The COVID-19 response has provided some important lessons that will inform the transfer of services (e.g., capacity of Indigenous leadership to response to crisis situations and meet the needs of their members). In addition, Tripartite Emergency Management Agreements are an instrumental mechanism used for priority setting and planning in response to other emergencies, such as severe wildfires.
• Legislation asserting First Nations' jurisdiction over Child and Family Services, to ensure that First Nations can control how these critical services are delivered. Policy work to transfer program responsibilities through initiatives such as the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority.
• Over 115 First Nations now benefitting from 10-year grants, providing fiscal flexibility for First Nations leadership to operate outside the restrictive parameters of contribution agreements to manage their funds.

*Work ongoing to clarify the differences and interplay between service transfer agreements under section 9 of the Department of Indigenous Services Act and agreements under section 35 of the Constitution.

Litigation Management

• Supreme Court decisions such as Daniels (2016) expanded the meaning of Indians in the constitution to include Métis and non-status people.
• Since 2016, Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders have instructed Canada to stop discriminatory practices in the delivery of health and social services to First Nations children (Jordan's Principle and Child and Family Services) and have issued a series of remedial orders that have expanded the definition of a First Nations child for the purposes of eligibility under Jordan's Principle.
• Class action litigation is on the rise in the context of services delivered by the federal government to Indigenous Peoples. Canada recently reached an Agreement-in-Principles to resolve a class action litigation related to safe drinking water in First Nation communities.

Reconciliation

• Addressing the legacy of residential schools, particularly around the issue of the continued identification of unmarked burials.
• Addressing systemic racism particularly in health and justice.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis

• ISC also supports a wide range of Indigenous governments and institutions who serve and represent First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis students can also receive support for post-secondary education support.
• Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples is delivered through not-for-profit urban Indigenous service delivery organizations (i.e., Friendship Centres, Inuit and Métis organizations) and non-Indigenous organizations, including municipal governments, health and education authorities and institutions that have demonstrated support from Indigenous organizations or Indigenous community groups.

Common to First Nations and Inuit

• First Nations and Inuit communities have access to a range of services that are supplementary to those provided by the provinces and territories, including mental health and substance use services, public health services, home, community, and palliative care.
• Some services are available to First Nation individuals and Inuit regardless of residency (e.g., non-insured health benefits, access to health, social, and educational services for children through Jordan's Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative, and post-secondary education funding).
• Inuit have self-government agreements and governance structures that allow for greater community control.
• ISC funds communities, service delivery organizations and, in some instances, delivers the services directly (e.g., nursing).

On-reserve First Nations

• ISC is involved in a wide range of services for on-reserve First Nations, similar to a province/territory or municipalities. This includes health, social, education, economic development, governance, and infrastructure services.
• In these cases, ISC's main role is one of funder, via contribution agreements, to First Nation governments and organizations who manage service delivery.
• The New Fiscal Relationship provides stabilized long-term funding to over 117 First Nations through the 10-year grant funding mechanism. This initiative aims to provide eligible First Nations, who choose to join the grant, with program supports to build capacity, do effective planning, and account for inflation and population increases on-reserve.
• The main services supported by the Department on-reserve include status registration, estates, primary care nursing, public health nurses and environmental public health, elementary and secondary education, post-secondary education, income assistance, assisted living, infrastructure such as housing, water and waste water, and education and health facilities among others.

Responding to COVID-19

• Recognizing that many Indigenous communities face unique challenges in addressing COVID-19, ISC has provided funding to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, as well as urban Indigenous service delivery organizations to manage the pandemic, and to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
• To support First Nations communities' efforts to mitigate and manage COVID-19 outbreaks on-reserve, ISC provided additional supports, including:
  • COVID-19 swab sample testing;
  • personal protective equipment, such as hand sanitizer, N95 masks, isolation shields, and gloves;
  • deployed nurses, paramedics and provided air transportation for health human resources;
  • provided funding for mobile structures, hotel or space rentals;
  • provided logistics support identifying community spaces that can be upgraded or retooled; operational spaces for site servicing projects; and
  • rolling out vaccination.

National Capital Region

• The National Capital Region (NCR) office of Indigenous Services Canada plays an important role in defining the general policy direction of the department.
• It also maintains relationships with Indigenous organizations located in the National Capital Region, including the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and the Native Women's Association of Canada.

Regional Offices

• The regional offices of ISC are the face of the Department in direct work with Indigenous communities.
• Located in all continental provinces, the Atlantic region, and in some northern regions (Northwest Territories and Yukon), they maintain day-to-day relationships with a wide web of Indigenous organizations and governments at the local and regional levels.
• ISC offices are also responsible to ensure that programs are appropriately implemented.

Constitution Act, 1982

• Section 91(24) provides the Government of Canada with jurisdiction over "Indians and lands reserved for Indians".
• Section 35 recognizes and affirms "Aboriginal and treaty rights".

Department of Indigenous Services Act

• Came into force in July 2019.
• Outlines the powers, duties and functions of the Minister of Indigenous Services. It directs the Minister to ensure programs and services are delivered to eligible Indigenous individuals and emphasizes the objectives of closing socio-economic gaps between Indigenous Peoples and other Canadians, and of building capacity of Indigenous communities to support self-determination.
• The legislation notably includes:
  • the different types of services provided to eligible Indigenous individuals (i.e., child and family services; education; health; social development; economic development; housing; infrastructure; emergency management; and governance);
  • responsibilities to ensure that Indigenous organizations can collaborate in the development, provision, assessment and improvement of services.
  • a ministerial power to enter into agreements with Indigenous organizations to transfer departmental responsibilities.

Indian Act

• Regulates the relationship between Canada and First Nations in a wide range of areas.
• For the purposes of this Act, the Minister of Indigenous Services is the Superintendent General of Indian affairs.

Legislation for which the Minister of Indigenous Services is responsible:

• An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
• Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act
• First Nations Elections Act
• Indian Oil and Gas Act
• First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act
• First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act
• Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act
• Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
• Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Act
• Kanesatake Interim Land Base Governance Act

Influencing legislation:

• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• Indigenous Languages Act
• First Nations Financial Transparency Act
• Addition of Lands to Reserves and Reserve Creation Act
• First Nations Fiscal Management Act
• First Nations Land Management Act
• Dominion Water Power Act

Indian Oil and Gas Canada

• Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC) is an organization committed to managing and regulating oil and gas resources on First Nation reserve lands. It is a special operating agency under ISC.
• Indian Oil and Gas Canada Vision: To become a modern regulator of First Nations oil and gas resources.
• Indian Oil and Gas Canada's general responsibilities are to:
  • identify and evaluate oil and gas resource potential on Indian reserve lands;
  • encourage companies to explore for, drill and produce these resources through leasing activity;
  • ensure equitable production, fair prices and proper collection of royalties on behalf of First Nations; and
  • secure compliance with and administer the regulatory framework in a fair manner.

National Indigenous Economic Development Board

• The National Indigenous Economic Development Board's (NIEDB) mission is to advise the Minister of Indigenous Services and other federal Ministers on policies, programs, and program coordination as they relate to Indigenous economic development.
• National Indigenous Economic Development Board Vision: A vibrant Indigenous economy, where Indigenous Peoples are economically self-sufficient and have achieved economic parity with Canadian society.
• The Board is comprised of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business and community leaders from across Canada. It helps governments respond to the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

First Nations and Inuit Health Branch

• 1904 – Medical programs and health facilities for Indians were developed in response to smallpox outbreak.
• 1974 – Minister of National Health and Welfare tabled "Policy of the Federal Government Concerning Indian Health Services."
• Mid-1980's – Work was undertaken to transfer the control of health services to First Nations and Inuit communities and organizations through the Strategic Policy, Planning and Analysis Directorate at Health Canada (renamed First Nations and Inuit Health Branch in 2000).
• In response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the federal government announced Gathering Strength—Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan, which committed to addressing chronic illnesses of Indigenous Peoples, the development of Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and a healing strategy that addresses the legacy of Indian Residential Schools in partnership with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
• Work continues toward the transfer of health services to communities (i.e. British Columbia First Nations Health Authority).
• Efforts remain ongoing to implement orders issued from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal regarding the implementation of Jordan's Principle.

Schooling and Education

• 1830s – saw the introduction of Indian Residential Schools.
• 1940 – policy of education integration was introduced, enabling Indigenous students to attend provincial school. Issues with this approach included a lack of specialized training to teach Indigenous students and the fact that schools were often located far from students' homes.
• 1972 – the National Indian Brotherhood (later became the Assembly of First Nations) policy on Indian Control of Indian Education was adopted by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
• 1970's – began to address the importance of local community control to improve education, identified the need for more Indigenous teachers and the development of relevant curricula.
• Recent efforts have contributed to federal and provincial legislation that formalizes the local jurisdiction for First Nations communities (i.e. Nisga'a Education Act, Mi'kmaq Education Act).
• Work remains ongoing, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, towards distinctions-based post-secondary education strategies.

Economic Development

• 2000s – saw an increased focus on economic development through legislative approaches to financial management and accountability.
• 2006 – First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMA) was implemented. Includes:
  • First Nations Financial Management Board (FNFMB);
  • First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC); and,
  • First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA).
• 2010 – the Strategic Partnership Initiative was created to provide a coordinated federal response to existing and emerging Indigenous economic development opportunities (e.g., in major projects).
• With the aim of addressing issues of underfunding and onerous reporting requirements for Indigenous communities, Canada entered into the Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum.
• 2019 – the 10-year grant program was established to advance the New Fiscal Relationship with First Nations.

Community Infrastructure

• Canada provides funding and technical support for community infrastructure. First Nations communities are responsible for the procurement, construction, and operations and maintenance of their community infrastructure.
• Underfunding for community infrastructure on-reserve has resulted in poor living conditions (e.g., overcrowding in homes, mold infestations).
• The Government of Canada has made significant progress in recent years towards improving access to clean drinking water and ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities. An action plan is in place and initiatives are underway to address all remaining long-term advisories.
• As per the Department of Indigenous Services Act (2019), ISC is working with Indigenous partners on the development, provision, assessment and improvement of infrastructure services, with the ultimate goal, of the transfer of control of infrastructure services to Indigenous organizations.

Child and Family Services

• 1950s – an amendment to the Indian Act allowed governments to provide child welfare services on-reserve which resulted in the Sixties Scoop^{Footnote 1}.
• 2007 – the Enhanced Prevention Focused Approach to Child and Family Services (EPFA) was introduced.
• 2016 – the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled funding provided for on-reserve child and family services programming was discriminatory.
• June 2019 – Bill C-92, affirming and recognizing Indigenous Peoples' jurisdiction over child and family services was enshrined into law. The Government of Canada signed a coordination agreement with the Cowessess First Nations in Saskatchewan on July 6, 2021.
• Efforts remain ongoing to work with Indigenous partners to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) program, which funds prevention and protection services for First Nations children and families living on-reserve.

Governance

• 1980s – Indian Government support programs were created to aid organizations in under taking administrative control over departmental programs. They are now known as the Indigenous Governance and Capacity programs and are currently available for communities.
• New guiding principles, created through the Indigenous Community Development National Strategy (2018), emphasize the need for community governance to: be community-driven, be nation-based, include the recognition of diversity, invest in capacity building, planning and implementation, and be flexible and responsive.
• Governance tools have been developed for communities and institutions to support their process in self-determination.
• ISC is co-developing a policy framework that paves the way for transferring infrastructure service delivery to First Nation partners. The framework encompasses the process and requirements for service transfer to ensure ISC staff and First Nations communities understand the implications of the transfer of control and accountabilities for infrastructure service delivery.

Shared Internal Service housed in ISC

• Legislative, Parliamentary and Regulatory Affairs (Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector)
• Communications (Deputy Minister's Office)
• Departmental Library (Chief Financial and Results Delivery Officer Sector)

Crown-Indigenous Relations

• Permanent Bilateral Mechanisms (Policy and Strategic Direction Sector)
• Inuit and Métis Housing (Policy and Strategic Direction Sector)
• Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework (Treaties and Aboriginal Government Sector)
• Land Claims Negotiations (Treaties and Aboriginal Government Sector)
• Modern Treaty and Self-Government negotiations (Treaties and Aboriginal Government Sector)
• Specific Claims (Treaties and Aboriginal Government Sector)
• Treaty implementation (Implementation Sector)
• Residential Schools Resolution (Resolution and Partnerships Sector)
• First Nations Financial Management Act (Resolution and Partnerships Sector)*
• First Nations Land Management Act (Resolution and Partnerships Sector)*
• Additions to Reserves (Resolution and Partnerships Sector)*
• Audit (Deputy Minister's Office)

* While CIRNAC retains legislative authority/approval over First Nations Land Management Act and Additions to Reserve legislation, operational elements associated with these regimes are be undertaken by ISC (via the regional offices).

Northern Affairs (Northern Affairs Organization)

• Territorial governments
• Devolution
• Arctic and Northern Policy Framework
• Arctic Science
• Nutrition North
• Polar Knowledge Canada
• Contaminated sites

Shared Internal Service housed in CIRNAC

• Human Resources
• Cabinet Affairs (Policy and Strategic Direction)

Overview

Regional Operations is responsible for the delivery of national programs and services through seven south of 60° regional offices. Programs include those offered by the Education and Social Development Programs and Partnership Sector as well as the Lands and Economic Development Sector.

Regional Operations is also responsible for managing three national programs, which include Governance Capacity, Community Infrastructure and Emergency Management.

Governance Capacity

Governance Capacity provides funding for band governance and administration: funding to eligible First Nations, Inuit or Innu employers to support pension and benefit plans; core funding to Tribal Councils; and targeted funds to governance capacity development projects. This funding is intended to support Indigenous communities and institutions in the implementation of strong and sustainable governments.

Community Infrastructure

Community Infrastructure works with First Nations governments to support affordable and adequate housing; the provision of clean, safe and reliable drinking water and the effective treatment of wastewater on First Nations lands; the provision of safe schools; and other community infrastructure essential to healthy, safe, and prosperous communities, such as roads and bridges.

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Assistance Program supports the health and safety of on-reserve First Nations residents as well as their lands and critical infrastructure. This program promotes a four pillar approach to emergency management: mitigation; preparedness; response; and recovery. ISC promotes efficiency by accessing existing resources and services of provinces and territories and emergency management partners to address on-reserve emergencies and reimburses these partners for eligible expenses.

Atlantic Region

Name: Daniel Kumpf
Title: Regional Director General
Telephone number: (902) 397-0207

Alberta Region

Name: Jamie Brown
Title: Regional Director General
Telephone number: (780) 554-4699

British Columbia Region

Name: Allyson Rowe
Title: Regional Director General
Telephone number: (604) 355-3018

Saskatchewan Region

Name: Rob Harvey
Title: Regional Director General
Telephone number: (306) 536-9929

Manitoba Region

Name: Kandice Léonard
Title: Regional Director General
Telephone number: (204) 430-6768

Ontario Region

Name: Anne Scotton
Title: Regional Director General
Telephone number: (613) 794-0014

Quebec Region

Name: Luc Dumont
Title: Regional Director General
Telephone number: (418) 951-7304

Overview

The Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer Sector is responsible for providing leadership and ensuring effective management of departmental resources within the legislative mandate. The Sector also provides strategic advice, oversight, and support to the Deputy Minister and the senior executive team to ensure integrity and sound financial controls and management in the planning and operations of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

The Sector is responsible for establishing the planning framework for ISC that aligns the mandated outcomes and departmental strategic priorities with resource management via the Departmental Results Framework. The Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer leads the reporting to Cabinet and Parliament on outcomes through the Departmental Plan and Departmental Report and the implementation of the Minister's mandate letter commitments.

The Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer Sector supports delivery of services through policies, directives and other activities in the areas of financial planning and analysis, accounting and reporting, contracting and procurement, assets and materiel and information management.

The Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer is responsible for ISC's Chief Information Officer functions that include information management and technology services, investments structures and controls within ISC, to leverage Information Management and Information Technology reliably, securely, and cost effectively to support effective and efficient business process design and execution.

The Sector is accountable for providing grants and contributions advisory and support services through policies, directives and other activities, including the development of national funding agreements models and guidelines; the establishment of funding agreement service standards; the management of the Grants and Contributions Information Management System; and the national monitoring, compliance and reporting.

In the context of transformation of the Indigenous policy and service space, the Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer plays a key role in elaborating and monitoring arrangements, including service level agreements for shared internal services while participating as a service lead in the finance and corporate management space and as a client for those services provided by its sister-department, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

Overview

Indigenous Services Canada works with First Nations, Inuit, other federal departments and provincial and territorial partners to support healthy First Nation and Inuit individuals, families and communities. Working with partners, the Branch strives to improve health outcomes, provide access to quality health services and support greater control of the health system by First Nations and Inuit.

Subjects

• Coronavirus and Indigenous communities
• Indigenous health care in Canada
• Diseases that may affect First Nations and Inuit communities
• Indigenous mental health and substance use
• Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit
• Co-developing distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation
• Health care services for First Nations and Inuit
• Family Health
• Environmental issues and Indigenous health

In recent years, First Nations and Inuit health has improved; however, gaps remain in the overall health status of First Nation and Inuit when compared to other Canadians. ISC's FNIHB works with numerous partners to carry out many activities aimed at helping people stay healthy and promoting wellness.

On this shared path to improved health, the Branch funds or delivers:

• Community-based health promotion and disease prevention programs;
• Primary, home and community care services;
• Programs to control communicable diseases and address environmental health issues; and
• Non-insured health benefits to supplement those provided by provinces, territories; and private insurer.

FNIHB Regional Executives

Atlantic Region

Name: Louis Dumulon
Title: Regional Executive
Telephone number: (613) 946-8104

Quebec Region

Name: Katrina Peddle
Title: Regional Executive
Telephone number: (514) 260-2058

Ontario Region

Name: Garry Best
Title: Regional Executive
Telephone number: (343) 550-6846

Manitoba Region

Name: Pam Smith
Title: Regional Executive
Telephone number: (204) 612-9248

Saskatchewan Region

Name: Jocelyn Andrews
Title: Regional Executive
Telephone number: (306) 203-4580

Alberta Region

Name: Rhonda Laboucan
Title: Regional Executive
Telephone number: (780) 495-6459

Northern Region

Name: Heather MacPhail
Title: A/Regional Executive
Telephone number: (613) 301-5984

Overview

In March 2018, ISC created the Child and Family Services Reform Sector in order to address the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in care in Canada. The Sector is guided by the government's commitment to six points of action following a two-day Emergency Meeting on Indigenous Child and Family Services held in

January 2018 with Indigenous partners, provincial and territorial representatives, youth, experts and advocates:

• continuing to fully implement the orders from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and reform First Nations child and family services program to make it truly child-centered and community-directed;
• working with partners to shift the focus of programming to culturally appropriate prevention, early intervention, and family reunification;
• supporting communities to exercise jurisdiction and working with partners to implement child and family services legislation;
• accelerating the work at tripartite and technical tables that are in place across the country to support reform;
• supporting Inuit and Métis Nation leadership in their work to advance meaningful, culturally appropriate reform of child and family services; and
• developing a data and reporting strategy with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners.

The Child and Family Services Reform Sector ensures the full implementation of the orders by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal related to child and family services, and works with partners on implementing the co-developed An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, which came into force on January 1, 2020.

Overview

The Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector is responsible for social and education programs.

The Sector works to strengthen both policy and program management functions, including program compliance and national consistency, and to monitor program performance and effectiveness for two of ISC's largest program areas: Education and Social Development.

The Sector's mandate is twofold:

• to provide First Nation men, women, children and families with the supports necessary to help them achieve education outcomes comparable to those of other Canadians; and
• to assist eligible on-reserve residents to foster greater self-reliance, improve quality of life, reduce or eliminate family violence, and participate more fully in Canada's economic opportunities.

The Sector is closely linked with eight regional offices (seven South of 60° and one in the Yukon) and the Regional Operations Sector.

Education related programs and services are delivered in collaboration with partners including First Nations regional education organizations and provinces. Other federal departments, particularly Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, are also partners in funding and delivering education-related programs and services.

Social programs and services are delivered in collaboration with First Nation organizations, provinces, territories and other federal departments. These partners includes: Health Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Public Health Agency of Canada, provincial and territorial governments, the Assembly of First Nations, and others.

Overview

The Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector of ISC was established to support ISC sectors in the improvement and transfer of Indigenous services to Indigenous Peoples, for Indigenous Peoples, by Indigenous Peoples. The Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector serves as an internal driver of change by supporting ISC sectors in improving services and enabling Indigenous control.

The Sector includes the following branches:

Strategic Policy

• Provides strategic policy analysis and advice in fulfillment of the Minister's mandate, ISC's transformation agenda, and federal policy direction.

Evaluation and Policy Re-Design

• Identifies innovative policy interventions and partnerships to improve and transfer services, and evaluate the success of transferred services through an Indigenous lens.

Strategic Research and Data Innovation

• Provides a robust and innovative evidence base for decision making to ensure that new and redesigned policy initiatives reflect Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. Examines long-term trends and undertake forecasting to keep ahead of emerging issues and identify challenges and opportunities.

Fiscal Arrangements

• Works to address longstanding challenges in how Indigenous services are funded and how funding relationships are managed with a long-term agenda.

Overview

The Lands and Economic Development Sector manages a suite of programs, legislation and relationships with Indigenous organizations that together promote entrepreneurship, build economic development capacity and foster the creation of wealth. Lands and Economic Development also leads the administration of reserve land and supports environmental protection on reserve, both critical elements related to stimulating economic development.

Lands and Economic Development consists of three branches: Economic Policy Development Branch, which provides policy options/direction and coordination for the sector; Economic Business Opportunities, which administers proposal-driven programs for economic development projects; and Lands and Environmental Management, which works with First Nations and First Nation organizations on the administration of lands, the expansion of reserve lands through additions to reserve, the remediation of contaminated sites and the management of waste sites on-reserve. Lands and Economic Development also oversees a special operating agency (Indian Oil and Gas Canada), responsible for the management and regulation of oil and gas development of reserve lands.

The Sector also works with institutions, such as the Lands Advisory Board and the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre to improve First Nations lands and environmental governance, and leads lands modernization initiatives to improve existing legislation and regulations. Additionally, the Sector undertakes research and analysis to support policy development, fosters partnerships with stakeholders and coordinates a whole-of-government approach on Indigenous economic development. All sector efforts contribute to the ultimate goal of increasing the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the economy.

Regional offices across Canada implement Lands and Economic Development's programming and services and carry out the administration of the Crown's statutory and fiduciary obligations under the Indian Act. While the regions get their direction from Lands and Economic Development in terms of the activities that they perform to promote lands and economic development, they formally report to the Regional Operations Sector.

Overview

The Corporate Secretariat provides executive services to the Minister's Office, the Deputy Ministers' Offices, the Associate Deputy Ministers' Offices, as well as delivering key corporate functions across ISC. The Secretariat supports ISC on four key areas::

Executive Services Operations: comprised of three divisions responsible for coordinating and reviewing correspondence and briefing materials for the Deputy Ministers and the Minister:

• Officials Trips Directorate (MinTrips): works with the Minister's Offices, sectors, regions and Communications to ensure horizontal coordination of Ministerial trip planning. Ensures a strategic, coherent, and consistent approach in the development of material for, and in follow up to trips;
• Ministerial Correspondence Directorate: reviews and provides final quality control for briefing notes and correspondence to the Minister and Deputy Ministers, as well as oversight for departmental processes and practices associated with correspondence; and
• Governance and Planning Coordination: responsible for the coordination of material for ministerial briefings, invitations, transition, portfolio coordination, and final documentation preparation for additions to reserve.

Planning and Resource Management Directorate: responsible for providing administrative support services for the Minister's Office, Deputy Ministers' Offices, and the Corporate Secretariat, including business planning, finance, human resources, and contracting services.

Indigenous Employee Secretariat

Supports the work done by Indigenous Advisory Circles and Indigenous employee networks and serves as an information centre through which Indigenous and non-Indigenous employees can enquire about various Indigenous related programs, initiatives and events.

Access to Information and Privacy Directorate (shared service with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada): receives all access to information and privacy requests and, working with sectors and regions, compiles the appropriate responses in accordance with the requirements of the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act.

Overview

The Legal Services Unit provides a complete range of specialized legal advice and support to both Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) in relation to all their business lines. This includes legislative initiatives, litigation, policies and programs.

The Legal Services Unit is located at Headquarters in Gatineau, while its Treaties and Aboriginal Government-Negotiations West Section is located in Vancouver. The Legal Services Unit is part of the Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio of the Department of Justice Canada.

The Senior General Counsel is a full member of the ISC's Executive Committee and various management committees and, as such, provides legal advice as well as legal policy and strategic policy advice. As the Head of the Legal Services Unit, the Senior General Counsel brings forward legal concerns and advice around risk management relating to matters within ISC and CIRNAC's purview. The Senior General Counsel is the primary interface between ISC and CIRNAC and the Department of Justice Canada.

Counsel in the Legal Services Unit assess the legal risk of specific initiatives within the broader policy context, identify solutions to legal issues and work with departmental officers to develop strategies to address real or potential legal issues.

Overview

The Human Resources and Workplace Services Branch provides services, advice and support to both ISC and CIRNAC in the areas of Human Resources Management; Security and Accommodations; Occupational Health and Safety; and Integrity, Values and Ethics and Conflict Resolution.

Good people management is the cornerstone to delivering the ISC and CIRNAC mandates. While Deputy Ministers have the primary responsibility for ensuring good people management, the accountability is sub-delegated to managers across their organizations.

Key people management priorities include:

• continuing work on blueprint 2020 and the renewal of the Public Services;
• providing healthy workplaces conducive to employee engagement and excellence;
• addressing mental health stigma; and
• responding to Public Service Employee Surveys.

The workforce issues and opportunities at ISC and CIRNAC resemble those of other large departments. For instance, issues facing some employees with respect to the implementation of the Phoenix system across the Public Service remain a key challenge. The Branch is keeping track of the unresolved cases and has put a team to follow up with Public Service and Procurement Canada officials to address them.

What is unique to ISC and CIRNAC is the need to recruit and retain Indigenous employees and those in the North. Employee engagement is important across all occupations categories, across all regions, and has an effect on achieving departmental objectives. Addressing workplace issues and opportunities will ensure that we have the right working conditions for employees in a high performing organization and generate high employee engagement and productivity.

Overview

Public perception of the government's handling of Indigenous issues is shaped by Canada's long, complicated and sometimes difficult relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

The Communications Branch acts as an advisor to colleague departments' Communications branches on Indigenous topics and convened an interdepartmental working group on reconciliation in order to coordinate messages across departments for a whole of government perspective. The Branch also supports the Prime Minister's Office and the Privy Council Office on Indigenous files.

The Communications Branch operates as an integrated corporate function. There is constant and close collaboration with the Minister's Office and the Office of the Deputy Minister to ensure that the Minister's and ISC's objectives, programs, services, and policies are communicated in a coherent way.

The Communications Branch reports directly to the Deputy Minister and is headed by a Director General with the support of a Senior Director and two Directors. While the Communications Branch continues to transform into two distinct Communication branches (one for ISC and one for CIRNAC), many Communications functions remain joint between both ISC and CIRNAC.

Overview

Stephanie Barozzi is the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) for ISC and the Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive for CIRNAC. In this role, she has the responsibility for internal audit for both departments, while Gail Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector, has the responsibility for evaluation within ISC.

The Chief Audit Executive for ISC leads the audit, risk management, and assessment and investigation functions within ISC. The Chief Audit Executive provides the Deputy Minister with independent advice on matters of risk management, control and governance. The Chief Audit Executive consults senior management on the development of ISC's Risk-Based Audit Plan on an annual basis and as required throughout the year. The plan guides the audit work conducted in accordance with Treasury Board policies, resulting in reports that are provided to the Deputy Minister for approval. The Chief Audit Executive also serves as a point of contact for audit work conducted in ISC by external assurance providers, such as the Office of the Auditor General and Treasury Board Secretariat. In addition, the Chief Audit Executive serves as ISC's Chief Risk Officer and oversees the development of the Corporate Risk Profile. Strategic advice is provided to the Deputy Minister on transformation initiatives that include a Transformation Risk Assessment.

The Audit Committee, chaired by and composed of external members, receives and provides strategic advice to the Deputy Minister. The Committee advises on audit reports, follow up for both internal audits and Auditor General chapters, government-wide audits and action plans to address audit findings.

The Audit and Assurance Services Branch conducts independent audits and consulting projects of ISC's programs, services, management practices and controls. A Risk-based Audit Plan is developed annually. The Branch provides ISC with liaison support when external assurance providers audit ISC.

The Assessment and Investigation Services Branch is the designated focal point of complaints, allegations of fraud pertaining to ISC's funding, and conducts forensic audits to ensure that funds are not misused.

The Risk Management and Communications Liaison Centre provides service and advice to ensure a continuous, proactive and systematic process to understand, manage and communicate risk.

Partnerships

ISC worked closely with Indigenous leaders and organizations, provinces and territories, and other government departments to respond to the pandemic:

• supported Indigenous leadership, Indigenous health providers and trusted sources to lead messaging at the national, regional and local level to increase confidence;
• partnered with local health authorities increased supplies and personal protective equipment for urban vaccine clinics; and
• partnered with the Canadian Armed Forces helped provide critical operational support to remote and isolated communities across Canada (including Ontario and Manitoba).

Community support

The Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF) was established to provide First Nations, Inuit, and Métis and urban/off-reserve Indigenous leadership and organizations with flexible funding to implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19. This fund, which was replenished throughout the pandemic, can be used for a wide range of measures, including:

• support for Elders and vulnerable community members;
• measures to address food insecurity;
• educational and other support for children;
• emergency response services; and
• preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including perimeter security.

Communications

Emergency regulations put in place to allow First Nation Chief and Council to postpone or cancel elections.

ISC worked closely with Indigenous partners to ensure communications products were relevant, culturally appropriate and strategically disseminated. ISC also supported the Public Health Agency of Canada to translate information into Indigenous languages.

• providing information in Indigenous languages increased the reach of the messaging and confidence in the information;
• word of mouth as well as social media and radio were effective in reaching Indigenous populations; and
• online live sessions/townhalls with a Q&A format allowed for individuals to pose questions.

Social

Additional supports introduced to mitigate the social risks and impacts of the pandemic included:

• funding for a network of emergency shelter and transitional housing to address the elevated risk of family violence;
• funding to improve safety in supportive care facilities and programs that support seniors and persons with disabilities;
• increased income and employment supports to address job loss and greater needs of income assistance clients; and
• introduced more flexibilities into First Nations Child and Family Services: additional support for children aging out of care, expanding eligible expenses.

Economic

Support was provided to Indigenous businesses and communities to help manage revenue loss during COVID-19. This included:

• the Indigenous Business Initiative, which included interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions to Indigenous businesses;
• the Indigenous Community Business Fund, which provided financial relief to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation community-owned and micro-businesses that did not qualify for other COVID-19 relief measures, to offset their operating losses or adapt their operations;
• the Own-Source Revenue in Indigenous Communities Initiative is providing a one-time economic response funding of up to $1M per community to partially offset declines in their own-source revenues; and
• the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program provides target support to the Indigenous tourism industry.

Community

Recognizing the need for communities to focus on the pandemic response, a number of measures were introduced to reduce the administrative burden on Indigenous communities, facilitate disbursement of federal funds, and maximize cash flow. Examples include:

• a shift to electronic signatures on funding agreements;
• delaying reporting requirements; and
• greater flexibility with eligible expenditures (i.e., maximized flexibilities in program terms and conditions).

Education

Investments were made to support a safe return to school for children in Indigenous communities

• funding for elementary and secondary education on-reserve, including personal protective equipment for students and staff, laptops to support online learning, and more teachers and other critical staff; and

• support for Indigenous post-secondary education students and institutions.

Infrastructure

Existing infrastructure was adapted and measures introduced to allow work on new infrastructure projects to resume, including:

• funding to support building adaptations on-reserve, including improvements to ventilation, plexiglass, and hand-washing stations; and
• additional funding for infrastructure projects to address the increased costs associated with COVID-19 (delays, increased material costs, health and safety measures).

Services

In light of the ongoing threat posed by the pandemic, greater flexibility was introduced to the way ISC services were delivered where possible. For example:

• Individual Affairs Services – service efficiencies and added flexibilities for treaty payments and for individuals applying for registration, status cards and estate-related services;
• providing First Nations the option of Self-Administering Treaty Payments in lieu of treaty payment events; and
• introducing access to virtual mental health counselling.

Indigenous Leadership

• Indigenous communities demonstrated strong leadership and acted fast to implement public health advice and the closure of their borders to non-essential traffic. Strong partnerships with Indigenous communities and leadership supported a quicker and more efficient response.
  • particularly in British Columbia, where First Nations directly deliver health services and where collaboration is hard-wired in the provincial system, the response was much more seamless; and
  • the Indigenous Community Support Fund supported community-based solutions to prevent, prepare and respond to the pandemic (e.g. perimeter security, food security, etc.)

Flexibility

• Increased funding and flexibility strengthened the capacity of communities and Indigenous leadership to respond to the health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Engagement

• Frequent engagement with all partners involved, including provinces and territories and national and regional Indigenous organizations supported collaboration and 'just-in-time' coordination, including rapid response to outbreaks and improved vaccine distribution and administration. Formal mechanisms established included:
  • the Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous Vaccine Planning Working Group; and
  • the Forum of Federal-Provincial/Territorial Deputy Ministers of Indigenous Affairs.

Urban/Off Reserve Support

• Increased focus and support for urban and off-reserve Indigenous populations (e.g., ensuring culturally safe vaccine distribution through the National Association of Friendship Centres and through Métis governments, and other urban/off-reserve Indigenous organizations who provided critical COVID-19 supports)

Prioritization

• Early outreach to provinces and territories helped ensure Indigenous populations were prioritized for the vaccine.

Vaccine Confidence

• Efforts to improve vaccine confidence (i.e. targeted communications, translated materials, use of Elders and community leadership).

Health Human Resources

• The pandemic highlighted gaps and or challenges in health human resources, such as high reliance on agency nurses, chronic supply shortages leading to difficulties in identifying and deploying surge capacity, lack of transportation and longstanding challenges with nursing recruitment and retention. Going forward, a renewed primary care and public health - health human resources strategy is needed.

Data

• Public health data within Indigenous communities was lacking, making it difficult to track the impact of the pandemic on Indigenous Peoples and progress with vaccines. While data exists for First Nations on-reserve, data for Inuit is extrapolated from territorial data, which includes non-Inuit populations, and no data currently exists for Métis and urban, off-reserve populations at a national level.

Urban/Off Reserve

• The high demand for support from urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations through the ICSF and other programs demonstrated the important role these organizations play in supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis living in urban locations and the need to ensure ISC programs adequately support them.

Federal-Provincial / Territorial Relations

• The coordination of a common approach to vaccine rollout across 13 health care systems was a challenge, particularly as it related to the prioritization of at-risk populations, such as Indigenous Peoples. Early engagement through multilateral fora, such as the forum of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Deputy Ministers of Indigenous Affairs helped to promote consistency in approach.

Streamlining Services

• A holistic approach to funding and programming. Potential wider use of the single window approach, such as the ICSF's no wrong door approach, which reduced confusion and administrative burden at the community level.

1. Procurement

The Government of Canada procures vaccine doses from pharmaceutical companies

2. Distribution

Provinces and territories are responsible for the delivery of vaccines to either depots or directly to Indigenous communities within their jurisdiction

3. Administration

First Nations – administration delivered primarily by First Nations-run public health services or through ISC-managed programs and staff. In British Columbia, the First Nations Health Authority has responsibility for health service design and delivery.

Inuit – Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat receive immunization services from the province or territory in which they reside.

Métis and urban Indigenous populations – Métis populations receive their immunization through providers for the general population (e.g., pharmacies, family doctors) as well as from Indigenous community services, such as friendship centres.

First Nations and Inuit Health

• COVID-19 Public Health Fund
• Point of Care testing
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Supporting vaccine rollout
• Surge human health resources
• Surge health infrastructure support
• Federal/provincial/territorial/Indigenous engagement and co-planning
• Public health and primary care advice, guidance, and action plans
• Case surveillance and vaccine uptake tracking
• Community Capacity Building Support
• Emergency Operations Centre
• Environmental Public Health Support
• Mental Wellness Support

Lands and Economic Development

• Indigenous Business Initiative
• Indigenous Community Business Fund
• Own Source Revenue Indigenous Communities Initiative
• Indigenous Personal Protective Equipment
• Procurement Task Force
• Indigenous Tourism support

Regional Operations

• Indigenous Community Support Fund
• COVID-19 emergency management
• Infrastructure project cost increases
• Infrastructure adaptations for schools on-reserve
• Adjustments to Individual Affairs services

Education and Social Development

• Supportive Care Initiative
• Family Violence Prevention Program
• First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy
• Income Assistance Program
• Safe Return to School
• Support for Indigenous post-secondary students and institutions

Child and Family Services

• Flexibilities integrated into First Nations Child and Family Services for children aging out of care and eligible expenses

Communications

• Culturally appropriate messaging
• Tailored community considerations
• Regional communications

First Nations and Inuit Health Branch

Support the primary care and public health response to the pandemic in Indigenous communities

• COVID-19 Public Health Fund: Flexible funding provided to communities on a needs basis to support public health measures.
• Point of Care testing: Support real-time COVID-19 testing and training in Indigenous communities, critical for effective contact tracing and case management.
• Personal Protective Equipment: Distribution of personal protective equipment to support the delivery of health and other essential services in Indigenous communities and Indigenous organizations as well as people in communities who are sick with COVID-19 or taking care of a sick family member or require to travel outside of community for care.
• Supporting vaccine rollout: Support planning for vaccine rollout with partners through the operation of multiple Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous working groups; provide vaccine administration supplies and mini clinic kits; promote vaccine confidence.
• Surge human health resources: Deployment of additional health personnel, such as immunizers, and dedicated air services for healthcare workers in First Nation communities, development of a health human resources roster utilizing national campaign.
• Surge health infrastructure: Delivery of mobile structures and adapting existing community spaces for health infrastructure in First Nation communities.
• Federal/provincial/territorial/Indigenous engagement and co-planning: Advocating for the prioritization of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous needs in health and safety planning, vaccine prioritization (including for Métis and Indigenous Peoples in urban areas), and consideration for border communities in the implementation of proof 20 of vaccine credentials.
• Public health and primary care advice, guidance, and action plans: Develop, maintain and disseminate guidance and action plans specific to the context in First Nation communities through ISC networks, Regional Medical Officers and Nurses, and Indigenous partners.
• Case surveillance and vaccine uptake tracking: COVID-19 case reporting, including hospitalizations and deaths, and vaccine uptake and severe adverse event tracking for First Nation and Inuit communities in the provinces and all territorial communities.
• Community Capacity Building Support: Skills building and support for community health workers and public health assistants.
• Emergency Operations Centre: A central coordinating function for the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.
• Environmental Public Health Support: Providing leadership in emergency response and mitigating the public health impacts of the pandemic (e.g., assessment of public facilities, guidance on applying public health measures and supporting vaccination clinics and rapid testing).
• Mental Wellness Support: Funding for Indigenous communities and service delivery organizations (including Métis) for the adaptation and expansion of mental wellness services to improve access and, to address growing demand in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regional Operations

Non-health related emergency management services, infrastructure delivery, and Individual Affairs services.

• Indigenous Community Support Fund: Funding to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Urban/off-reserve populations for community based solutions to prevent, prepare, and respond to COVID-19:
  • announced March 2020, ICSF had 3 tranches of allocations in 2020-2021. Budget 2021 provided another full year of funding for until March 31, 2022;
  • funded supports include: perimeter security, food security, educational and cultural supports; mental health assistance; and emergency response services;
  • funded through direct allocations to Indigenous communities and organizations, and a "single-window approach," for needs based-requests; and
  • analysis is underway to assess potential future needs.

Non-health related emergency management services, infrastructure delivery, and Individual Affairs services.

• Infrastructure project cost increases: Funding expenses related to infrastructure projects on-reserve already under construction that experienced cost increases as result of COVID-19 (delays, increased material costs, increased health and safety measures, restricted access to communities, etc.).
• Delays in infrastructure delivery: Delays to the construction and commissioning have delayed access for community members to services (health services, connectivity services, cultural and recreational services, educational services, etc.).
• Infrastructure adaptations for schools on-reserve: Funding for school retrofitting to prepare for return to school, such as Plexiglas and disinfection and handwashing stations.
• Adjustments to Individual Affairs Services: Indian registration and estate management services were modified to support remote work, resulting in service efficiencies and added flexibilities for individuals applying for registration and status cards and estate related services. In lieu of traditional in-person treaty payment events, three options were offered to First Nations, including a First Nations Self-Administered Treaty Payment process.

Education and Social Development

Supplemental funding for social and educational programs to support Indigenous communities prevent, prepare, and respond to COVID-19.

• Supportive Care Initiative: Funding for First Nations and Inuit long-term care facilities and programs that support seniors and persons with disabilities.
• Family Violence Prevention Program: Funding for network of emergency shelter and transitional housing to Indigenous, women, children, families, and Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and/or asexual people.
• Safe Return to School: Funding for elementary and secondary education on-reserve is used to address various COVID-19 pressures, in support of a safe restart in First Nation communities, including personal protective equipment for students and staff, laptops to support online learning, and more teachers and other critical staff.
• First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy: Funding for one-year pilot partnered between First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy and Income Assistance programs to restore pre-COVID-19 employment levels and provide 2000 youth who receive Income Assistance with additional supports to meet the goals of reducing poverty and relying on income assistance on a long-term basis.
• Income Assistance Program: Funding to address increased demand due to COVID-19 by providing additional supports to individuals and families and capacity to Income Assistance administrators.
• Support for Indigenous post-secondary students and institutions: Funding to help offset the lost income that many Indigenous students rely on to pay for tuition, books, housing, and other living expenses; funding for Indigenous post-secondary institutions and community-based programming, 24 which have signaled that they require additional funding to meet current needs.

Lands and Economic Development

Support for Indigenous businesses and communities to support with revenue loss during COVID-19.

• Indigenous Business Initiative (previously known as COVID-ISI): Provides interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions to Indigenous businesses and lenders impacted by COVID-19; mirrors the Canada Emergency Business Account.
• Indigenous Community Business Fund: Provides financial relief to First Nation, Inuit and Metis Nation community-owned and micro-businesses that do not qualify for other federal COVID-19 relief measures or need additional support to offset operating losses and adapt their operations.
• Own Source Revenue Indigenous Communities Initiative: Provides funding to Indigenous communities to partially offset the decline in their own-source and taxation revenues used to provide core programs and important community services.
• Indigenous Personal Protective Equipment Procurement Task Force: Provided support for the creation and operation of an Indigenous task force to support the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment from Indigenous businesses.
• Indigenous Tourism Stimulus Fund: Provided funding in 2020-2021 to the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, to help the Indigenous tourism industry rebuild and 25 recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Child and Family Services

Flexibilities integrated into First Nations Child and Family Services for children aging out of care and eligible expenses.

• Additional eligible expenses: Until the end of the pandemic, First Nations can now use funding for temporary lodging for children or caregivers to prevent the spread of COVID-19; supplies for children (e.g., diapers, wipes, baby formula, etc); childcare services; emergency food for families; personal protective equipment; and equipment, supplies or services needed to support child and family services workers; etc.
• Transition services for children aging out of care: First Nations children aging out of care can now receive services to help ensure their needs are supported as they transition out of the child welfare system, for up to a maximum of two years. While initially a temporary measure in response to COVID-19, based on feedback from partners, this is now a permanent service.

Communications

Co-developed, Indigenous-led, distinctions-based communications.

• Culturally appropriate messaging: Co-developing and supporting culturally safe messaging to create products and organize events to further address key concerns and increase awareness of the public health measures as well as benefits of COVID-19 vaccines and to dispel disinformation and vaccination hesitancy.
• Tailored community communications: Regularly updating COVID-19 vaccines and Indigenous Peoples webpages, toolkits, public service announcements (in 20 Indigenous languages), social media posts, pamphlets, radio scripts, frequently asked questions, town halls, videos, advertising campaigns.
• Regional communications: Partnering with First Nation, Inuit and Métis organizations and communities to create regional, community-specific micro-strategies designed to address community-specific opportunities and barriers; supporting community leadership in developing strategies as a means to advance self-determination.

First Nations

• Elders
  • An elder from the community of the region in which the event is being held should be invited to present a prayer or a blessing to open and possibly to close the event.
  • Smudging is usually only reserved for very specific events, such as negotiations and unique discussions. In the case of a prayer/blessing, it is recommended to provide a specific  length of time for the prayer/blessing.
• Ceremonies

  

  • In ceremonies where First Nations are central participants, it can be expected that representatives will request that sacred objects be included, such as drums, feathers and eagle staffs. Provisions should be made to accommodate these sacred objects as much as possible and displayed in a prominent manner during the ceremony.
  • Note that if eagle staffs are to be included, it is advisable to request that the First Nation provide a stand for the staff.
• Feasts
  • Feasts can involve sharing of food, natural resources, one's labour, and hospitality.
  • Refusal may result in loss of face for one who offers, so if invited to a family's home or to a community feast, politely accepting what is offered is best.
  • Gift giving was traditionally a matter of sharing resources, but a thoughtful token of respect is appreciated (value depends on the means of the recipient).
• Smudging
  • A 'smudge' is smoke used for ritual cleansing. Smudging is a ceremony traditionally practiced by some Aboriginal cultures (not all) to purify  or cleanse negative energy, feelings or thoughts from a place or a person. Sacred medicines such as cedar, sage, sweetgrass or tobacco are burned usually in an abalone shell.
  • The shell represents water, the first of four elements of life; the medicines represent gifts from mother earth and the burning represents fire, the next two elements.
  • The person puts their hands in the smoke and carries it to their body, especially  to areas that need spiritual healing (mind, heart, body). The smoke represents air, the final element.

Inuit

• Elders

  

  • Elders play a strong role in the family and the community and are always acknowledged with respect.
  • Elders are regarded as culture-bearers and this plays a significant role in cultural preservation. Designation of an Elder status is not a measure of chronological age, but as a function of the respect accorded to individuals who exemplify the values and lifestyle of the culture.
  • When approaching an Inuit Elder for advice, it is customary to present the Elder with a type of offering such as jam or another small gift of food. In First Nations and Métis communities, tobacco is the appreciated gift. Although tobacco does not play a large role in Inuit culture, it can still be offered as a sign of respect.
• Sharing of food and hospitality:
  • Refusal to do so may result in loss of face for the one who offers, so  if invited  to a family's home or to a community feast, politely accepting what is offered is appropriate.
  • Gift giving was traditionally a matter of sharing resources, but a thoughtful token of respect is appreciated (value depends on the means of the recipient).
  • With modernization these values are still important, but are less defined.
• Lighting of the qulliq:
  • Cultural protocols are generally included in more ceremonial settings or for broad gatherings. The lighting of the qulliq is often practiced, as is inviting an Elder(s) to provide opening remarks and/or say a prayer.
  • A qulliq (kood-lick) is a traditional soapstone oil lamp used by Inuit women for light and warmth. While it has been traditionally used in a home, it is often utilized at events and ceremonies now as a symbolic gesture that provides light and warmth. A designated "keeper of the light" or "qulliq keeper" (often a female Elder) will light the qulliq at the beginning of the ceremony or gathering, while providing commentary on its cultural significance, and tend to it throughout.

Métis

• Customs and Protocols will vary greatly from province to province and from community to community.
• Some Métis customs are similar to First Nation ceremonies.
  • All ceremonies are opened and closed with a prayer usually given by an Elder.
  • However, certain elements common to First Nations ceremonies, such as smudging or pipe ceremonies, may not be present at Métis ceremonies.
• Common elements present at most Métis ceremonies include  fiddle music,  the Métis infinity  flag, the "sash" and art with visible beadwork which are all rooted in Métis history and represent aspects of the distinct Métis culture.

Proper Acknowledgements

• Seek advice from Indigenous partner(s) within the community on how to appropriately acknowledge the territory and people to assure proper sequence and correct pronunciations (request phonetic pronunciations/spelling if necessary): Land > Leadership > Elders > Women & Youth.

Engaging with Elders

• Designate a team member, or a community partner who has already been established, to be the key contact for the Elder(s) both leading up to the event or meeting, as well as on the ground.

Invitation and Engagement

• First Nation/Métis Elders: If tobacco offerings and gifts are accepted by the Elder(s) and/or cultural representatives, be sure to seek advice from Indigenous partners on their protocol practices and how to do offerings appropriately. Most Elders accept tobacco when you ask them to share their knowledge; however, this is not true for everyone. Elders have diverse teachings, so it is best to ask first. Please also note that it is important to be specific in making your request upon your tobacco offering. If the Elder accepts the tobacco, s/he is accepting the request and will do her/his best to help you. If they cannot do what you are asking, they will respectfully decline the request and not accept the tobacco.
• Métis Elders: There are many Métis who accept tobacco as an offering, but as with First Nations Peoples, not all Métis follow tobacco teachings. It is best to ask Indigenous partners beforehand  and if tobacco is not needed, then ask what would be an appropriate offering, such as some tea, jam, or medicines (sage, sweetgrass, kiniinick, and other regional variants).
• Inuit Elders: Inuit Elders do not expect tobacco offerings, because traditionally it is not part of their customs. A small gift may be offered in the same token as one would make a request to a First Nations or Métis Elder. Place the gift in front of you and state your request, the Elder indicates acceptance of your request by taking the gift in their hands.
• Gifting: Gifts are different from offerings, there is a broader range of options,  less protocols involved, but awareness of the culture and history of the Indigenous Elder is still important. Inquire with Indigenous Partners beforehand and assure this is done in a meaningful and respectful way.
• Follow-up: Once a commitment has been established it would be wise to follow up with a formal invitation by letter or email outlining the event information, location, time and date. However, some Elders may need frequent reminders; it is recommended to follow up as many times as needed.

Sacred Items

• Avoid touching sacred items and belongings of the Elder(s) and cultural representative(s), these items may include: eagle feathers, eagle staffs, pipes, drums, or other sacred ceremonial items;

Traditional Clothing

• There are various types of regalia among Indigenous Peoples, this can include:
  • Elders, men & women, children's pow wow outfits, as well as Elders and Leaders who don vests and headdresses, Métis sashes, Inuit clothing made of hides and skins, and women who wear pieces of beaded artwork. A lot of time and thoughtful prayers go into the preparation and creation of these traditional pieces, as it is widely believed donning these sacred items is a reflection of ones' spirit; this is a prideful time for Indigenous people, take an interest and ask questions of the origin of the pieces as these items typically offer teachings or tell a story. This is a more appropriate way to acknowledge and appreciate the beautiful pieces of sacred art, but avoid neither touching nor referring to them as "costumes".

Hair

• In most Indigenous communities, hair is considered sacred for various beliefs, it is not appropriate to ask an Indigenous person to touch their hair.

Photography and/or Recording Videos

• There are certain ceremonies, activities, places or items that should not be recorded, be sure to follow through and respect the direction of Elders and Knowledge Keepers on the timing and use of electronic devices.

Assembly of First Nations

The Assembly of First Nations is a national advocacy organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada, including more than 900,000 people living in 634 First Nation communities and in cities and towns across the country.

The National Executive of the Assembly, including all ten regional chiefs and the chairs of the Elders, Women's and Youth councils, meets regularly. You may be invited to attend the next meeting.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami serves as the national voice protecting and advancing the rights and interests of Inuit in Canada. They represent 65,000 Inuit, and are governed by a Board of Directors that includes the leaders of the four Inuit regional land claims organizations that make up "Inuit Nunangat" – the Inuit homeland: Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (Inuvialuit/Northwest Territories); Makivik Corporation (Nunavik/Northern Quebec); Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (Nunavut); and the Nunatsiavut Government (Northern Labrador).

Métis National Council

Since 1983, the Métis National Council has represented the Métis Nation nationally and internationally, with the central goal of securing a healthy space for the Métis Nation's ongoing existence within the Canadian federation. It receives its mandate and direction from the democratically elected leadership of the Métis Nation's governments in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba until recently.

In September 2021, the Manitoba Métis Federation announced its withdrawal from the Métis National Council, stating that this is done to protect the interests and rights of the true Métis Nation – the Red River Métis. The Manitoba Métis Federation recently signed a Rights and Recognition Agreement, with the intention of developing a treaty for self-government.

Concurrently, the Métis Nations of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario have signed self- government agreements with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and are seeking to engage more directly with Canada, rather than through the Métis National Council. The Métis Nation of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario refer to themselves as the 'tri -council'.

Native Women's Association of Canada

The Native Women's Association of Canada is one of three national Indigenous women's organizations advocating for Indigenous women at the national and internal level. The Native Women's Association of Canada is an inclusive organization and identifies itself as the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on- and off-reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Inuit and Métis. An aggregate of 13 Indigenous women's organizations from across the country, the Native Women's Association of Canada was founded in 1974 on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural, and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.

In 2019, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, on behalf of the Government of Canada, signed a whole-of-government relationship agreement with the Native Women's Association of Canada (the Canada-Native Women's Association of Canada Accord "Accord"). Through the Accord, Canada and the Native Women's Association of Canada identify joint priorities and co-develop policy, programs, and legislation to include the distinct perspectives of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is the national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Its mandate is to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, and to encourage their participation in community, regional and national concerns in relation to social, cultural and economic development. The President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada has a seat on the board of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CIRNAC on behalf of the Government of Canada in June 2017 and was amended in January 2021 to remove the reference to an expiry date. The Memorandum of Understanding established a whole-of-government relationship to address issues of common concern that directly affect the well-being and safety of Inuit women and children across Canada and to help strengthen Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada's role.

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak – Women of the Métis Nation

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, also known as Women of the Métis Nation, aims to consult, promote and represent the personal, spiritual, social, cultural, political, and economic interests and aspirations of women of the Métis homeland. The organization was created by motion of the Métis National Council Board of Governors in 1999 and was incorporated in 2010 as an independent non-profit organization. Les Femmes Michif's board consists of elected spokespersons from the women's councils of the Métis governing bodies of the Métis homeland. The organization's mission is to ensure that Métis women from across the homeland are safe, connected, empowered, and have the capacity to work with other Canadian and Métis governments to help create the conditions for healthy, vibrant and productive communities throughout the Métis Nation. Through resolution of the Métis National General Assembly, the organization has taken on a leadership role on important priorities like the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls file on behalf of the Métis Nation. The whole-of- government Canada - Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak Declaration was signed on August 9, 2021. This agreement formalizes the existing relationship with Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak and will coordinate an approach to ensuring the safety and well -being of Métis Nation women and girls by identifying policy priority areas with federal departments specific to their needs. The declaration identifies the need for an intersectional and culturally informed gender-based analysis plus lens to advance these priorities.

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples represents the interests of all off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Métis and Southern Inuit Aboriginal Peoples, and serves as the national voice for its provincial affiliate organizations.

Following an important Supreme Court of Canada ruling in 2016 (Daniels v. Canada), a process is underway to determine the extent of Canada's obligations towards the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and its constituents. This work is being led by CIRNAC. In 2018, a Congress of Aboriginal Peoples-Canada Political Accord was signed by the Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations. An Accord Implementation Forum has recently been launched with participation from five other federal departments, including ISC, to address joint priorities on behalf of off - reserve Indigenous Peoples. Areas where this accord intersects with ISC areas of responsibility include child welfare legislation implementation, Indian Registration and Band Membership, and most recently COVID-19 funding.

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples has five federally-funded affiliate Indigenous Representative Organizations: Native Alliance of Québec, New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council, Native Council of Prince Edward Island, Native Council of Nova Scotia, and the NunatuKavut Community Council (Labrador). The Congress also has a series of affiliates that are not yet funded as Indigenous Representative Organizations: Ontario Coalition of Indigenous Peoples, the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of Manitoba, the Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan, Aboriginal Congress of Alberta Association, and the North West Indigenous Council.

National Association of Friendship Centres

The mission of the National Association of Friendship Centres is to support Friendship Centres and provincial-territorial associations in achieving their diverse missions and visions within their urban Indigenous communities. Friendship Centres are Canada's most significant off-reserve Indigenous service delivery infrastructure and are the primary providers of culturally enhanced programs and services to urban Indigenous residents. For over half a century, Friendship Centres have been facilitating the transition of Indigenous Peoples from rural, remote, and reserve life to an urban environment. For many Indigenous Peoples, Friendship Centres are the first point of contact to obtain referrals to culturally-based socio-economic programs and services. As the national body of the Friendship Centre Movement, the National Association of Friendship Centres is democratically governed, status blind, and accountable to its membership.

Provinces and Territories

Engagement with provincial and territorial governments is essential to making progress, as provinces and territories hold many of the socioeconomic levers that contribute to positive change. This is particularly true in areas, such as education, health, housing, and social programming, where efforts to close the socioeconomic gaps among First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples and non-Indigenous Peoples are linked to achieving comparability with provincial and territorial standards. There is uneven prioritization of Indigenous issues and how to approach them across provincial and territorial jurisdictions. For example, some provinces and territories may see benefit in advancing Indigenous economic development while resistant to Indigenous self-determination and any perceived displacement of provincial powers. While some provinces and territories have over time taken on a greater role serving Indigenous populations, others are signaling that they expect the federal government to further occupy this policy and funding space. This dynamic has practical implications in areas, such as engagement, funding and jurisdictional responsibility.

In its Principles Respecting the Government of Canada's Relationship with Indigenous Peoples, Canada recognized Indigenous self-government "as part of its evolving system of cooperative federalism." This statement also confirmed the Government of Canada's commitment to a distinctions-based approach. In its formal relationships with Indigenous representatives at the national level, the Government of Canada assigned primacy to three organizations -- the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Métis National Council -- as representatives of rights bearing First Nation, Inuit, and Métis people. Premiers have adopted a united and opposite stance with respect to ministerial-level forums: in their view, federal- provincial-territorial engagement with Indigenous representatives can only take place in side - meetings and must include the five national Indigenous organizations with which Canada and provinces and territories used to engage: the Assembly of First Nations; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council, the Native Women's Association of Canada; and the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Balancing a nation-to-nation approach that is supported by co-development processes with the need for provincial and territorial engagement and collaboration can be expected to be an ongoing issue in need of careful attention.

Given that the broad nature of your mandate cuts across numerous provincial -territorial ministerial portfolios (e.g., health, education, social services, as well as Indigenous affairs), there is no single primary contact or forum for federal-provincial-territorial relations. Rather, you will likely be invited to participate in numerous fora, and participation will be determined based on the Government of Canada's priorities and those of the other jurisdictions.

Minister of Indigenous Services

This communications opportunities list provides an overview of recommended events and announcements for the first months of the Minister's mandate.