2023-24 Operating context

ISC supports the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership as part of the journey toward reconciliation. Our goal is to improve access to high-quality services, socio-economic conditions, quality of life, and safety for Indigenous communities. Historically, Indigenous Peoples have experienced disadvantages through the context of systemic and institutional racism. The Government of Canada recognizes that the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples has been built on colonial structures, which have contributed to unacceptable socio-economic gaps. Acknowledgement and redress are required to advance a reconciliation agenda with Indigenous partners.

In order to see true, meaningful and lasting results toward achieving our mandate as an organization, the day-to-day realities in Indigenous communities must continue to be addressed directly, the path to systematic change must continue to advance, and we must move faster toward fulfilling the inherent right of Indigenous communities as a self‑determining nation. With this in mind, a new Departmental Results Framework structure, which better aligns programming with the Department's mandate and vision to support and empower Indigenous Peoples to independently deliver services and address socio-economic conditions in their communities, is being introduced in 2023‑2024. This Departmental Results Framework structure moves to a single Core Responsibility that focuses on Indigenous Well-Being and Self-Determination with priorities that are linked to six Service Areas: Health, Children and Families, Education, Infrastructure and Environments, Economic Development, and Governance. These priorities will be guided by the overarching commitments of honesty, equity, and autonomy.

Through these changes, ISC will look to streamline it programs and activities. The new Departmental Results Framework brings together diverse programming across the service areas to break down silos and improve performance that influences socioeconomic outcomes, or social determinants of health, for Indigenous communities. It provides opportunity to view progress toward service transfer with a wider lens as no one model can be applied to every Indigenous community.

These efforts are only the beginning; the end goal is Indigenous-led design, delivery, and control of services. At every step in between, the government is committed to honouring their duty to consult with Indigenous Peoples and actively supporting the implementation of the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Calls to Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Girls and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Through ongoing engagement, communication and consultation, ISC, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, will continue to shape the composition of, and services offered by ISC, all while recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the distinctions among First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nations and communities.