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For Immediate Release
May 31, 2007

Backgrounder

Ontario's New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs

Since October 2003 the McGuinty government has been implementing change to deliver better health care, education, economic opportunities and justice for Aboriginal peoples by working together in Ontario’s New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs.

In addition to launching the Ipperwash Inquiry in November 2003, Ontario has committed to a relationship of mutual respect with Aboriginal peoples that will lead to improved opportunities and a better future for Aboriginal children and youth.

Health

The McGuinty government invests $230 million annually on Aboriginal health programs and services including:

HIV/AIDS prevention
mental health and addictions
emergency health services
diabetes prevention and treatment
long-term care
physician services and
hospital services in the James Bay and Sioux Lookout areas.

Ontario’s Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, a network of over 250 community-based organizations, provides health, healing and anti-violence programs for Aboriginal people living in First Nation communities or in urban and rural areas.

Education

The McGuinty government is committed to strengthening Aboriginal voices and involvement in education, and to ensuring First Nations, Métis and Inuit students have every opportunity for success.

Some of the actions taken by the government include:

A new $10.5 million annual grant introduced this year for school boards to offer Native Language and Native Studies courses, and support programs that assist Aboriginal students
Investing $12.7 million to improve achievement among Aboriginal students in provincially funded schools
Integrating First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples' histories, cultures and perspectives throughout the Ontario curriculum to increase knowledge and awareness among all students
Investing $9 million to improve programs and services for 7,600 Aborignal students enrolled in Ontario’s colleges and universities and post-secondary learners in Aboriginal institutions
Establishing an Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Post-secondary Education in December 2005 that includes representatives from 13 Aboriginal groups and advises the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on priorities and issues related to access and student success of Aboriginal post-secondary learners
Establishing the Aboriginal Education Office in 2006 to support the learning and achievement of Aboriginal students in Ontario’s public education system

Land Claims

Successful land claim settlements provide Aboriginal communities with opportunities for economic and community development, remove barriers to investment and foster a positive business climate for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples alike.

Ontario is actively negotiating 13 land claims or land-related issues. Additionally, 56 claims are under review. Since October 2003, claims have been settled with the Lake Nipigon Ojibway, Rainy River First Nation, Tyendinaga (Turton Penn), Wahta Mohawks and Sand Point First Nation.

Justice

The McGuinty government is committed to providing equitable, coordinated, effective and responsive justice services to Aboriginal men, women, children and youth.

Ontario has invested over $1.75 million in the last four years to support the development of victim services in Aboriginal communities.

There are currently Aboriginal court workers in 45 sites throughout the province. As well, Ontario funds nine Aboriginal community justice projects that deliver restorative and traditional justice processes to their members as an alternative to the mainstream justice system in all appropriate circumstances.

To help meet the needs of remote communities, the government expanded the weekend and statutory holidays courts so that detainees from fly-in communities have access to bail courts, at least for their first appearance, without having to leave their communities.

The province is currently working with Aboriginal people to develop an Aboriginal Justice Strategy that will improve access to justice and address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system as victims and offenders.

Economic Development

To support Aboriginal economic development, OSAA’s Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program provides funding for the development of small business centres or multi-use community facilities in Aboriginal communities.

The province has also implemented pre-apprenticeship/employment and training programs in the James Bay area (part of benefits associated with DeBeers mine at Attawapiskat)

Moving Forward Together

The McGuinty government is committed to Ontario’s New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs and to building a stronger future to improve the well-being and prosperity of Aboriginal Communities.

While there is more work to do, the Ontario government is working in partnership with Aboriginal peoples to help build this future.

The Premier meets annually with First Nation leaders from across the province. This meeting sets the tone for regular meetings with First Nation organizations to work on a variety of matters of shared interest. There are also meetings that involve the province, the Chiefs of Ontario, and the federal government. The Northern Table addresses the unique challenges of achieving prosperity for First Nations in the far north. It involves several Ontario ministries, under the leadership of OSAA, and First Nations of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation.

The Premier also meets annually with the President of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Regular meetings with provincial staff follow a similar format to those with First Nation organizations and provide support for capacity development, forums for discussions of items of common concern and an entry point for discussions between the organizations and ministries of the Province.

Other highlights of Ontario’s New Approach include:

The release of Draft Guidelines for Ministries on Consultation with Aboriginal Peoples Related to Aboriginal and Treaty Rights help ministries meet their consultation obligations.
An ongoing relationship with the Ontario Native Women’s Association, which represents Aboriginal women and their families in on and off-reserve communities and encourages involvement in socio-economic, recreational, cultural and political matters that impact their daily lives.
A strong collaboration with the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, an umbrella organization for 27 Friendship Centres across the province, to provide services through many existing and new provincial programs, including Akwe:go for Aboriginal children and youth. Akwe:go helps provide supports including health resources, recreational programs and one-on-one activities, such as mentoring.

Merike Nurming
Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs
(416) 326-4079