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Ontario's Approach to Aboriginal Affairs

The Ontario government is working hard to build stronger, more positive relationships with Aboriginal people in Ontario and to improve their quality of life.

The Ontario government's goals are to:

• Build stronger relationships with Aboriginal communities;
• Improve social conditions for Aboriginal children and families;
• Create economic opportunities and sustainability for Aboriginal communities now and into the future, and;
• Resolve land claims and foster community reconciliation.

Role of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs

The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs leads Ontario's Aboriginal affairs strategy. We:

• Set priorities for Ontario and consult with Aboriginal partners to make sure these priorities are in line with those of Aboriginal communities;
• Make sure Ontario ministries work together on Aboriginal policy and programs;
• Work with the federal government to find ways to make the most of federal funding;
• Strive to increase government's awareness and knowledge of Aboriginal people and issues, and;
• Provide advice to government on Aboriginal issues and initiatives.

Role of Other Ministries

Other Ontario ministries also have a role. They:

• Deliver programs and initiatives for Aboriginal people;
• Measure the progress of these programs and initiatives;
• Develop policies that align with Ontario's Aboriginal strategy, and;
• Consult with Aboriginal people on their ministries' activities.

Timelines

In 2005, the Ontario government announced a new approach to Aboriginal affairs. The 2007 Throne Speech highlighted the Ontario government's commitment to move forward.

In June 2007, the stand-alone Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs was created to replace the Ontario Secretariat of Aboriginal Affairs. This was a significant and symbolic step that reflected the importance of developing a stronger, broader partnership with Aboriginal people in Ontario.

In May 2008, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs began developing a course of action for Ontario's new Aboriginal strategy. We're implementing some parts of our plan right now, and we'll be implementing other parts over the next couple of years.

Goals

We will meet more regularly with Aboriginal leaders and organizations at:

• Political Territorial Organization Meetings;
• Métis Relationship Table, and;
• Non-political meetings with Aboriginal service providers, such as the Ontario Native Women's Association and the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres.

We have launched the New Relationship Fund that will provide funding to First Nations communities and Métis organizations to help build their capacity to consult with government and the private sector, which can result in economic development partnership opportunities for Aboriginal communities.

We established a Consultation Unit that will develop guidelines, train and give advice to other ministries on how best to involve Aboriginal people.

We are working together with Aboriginal people on the Ipperwash Inquiry Report recommendations through the Ipperwash Inquiry Priorities and Action Committee.

We are working with other Ontario ministries to put into effect the Ipperwash Inquiry Report recommendations on:

• Policing;
• Heritage and burial sites, and;
• Any other items that ministries need to work together on.

We will support Aboriginal children and youth in Ontario by:

• Working with ministries to improve education and skills training, and;
• Working with ministries and the federal government to make sure programs are delivered more effectively.

We will coordinate the development of an integrated approach to urban Aboriginal programming by:

• Helping to identify, and ensure the availability of, culturally relevant programs and services for Aboriginal people living in urban centres, and;
• Working with Aboriginal and federal, provincial and municipal partners to identify and remove service gaps between federal, provincial and municipal programs.

Through the Casino Rama Revenue Agreement and the First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Agreement, we will provide about $3 billion in funding over 25 years to First Nations communities for:

• Community development;
• Health;
• Education;
• Economic development, and;
• Cultural development.

We will lead the development of a resource benefits sharing structure for Ontario by:

• Consulting with Aboriginal communities on ways to provide greater economic benefit to Aboriginal communities from resource development, and;
• Developing a system of sharing resource benefits throughout Ontario to enhance Aboriginal business and partnership opportunities and improve investment opportunities.

We will support innovation and business partnerships by:

• Working with the Assembly of First Nations, federal government and Aboriginal partners to support the Assembly's Aboriginal economic development forum – "The Inter-Nation Trade and Economic Summit";
• Working with the Ministries of Energy and Infrastructure, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Northern Development and Mines on the Northern Ontario Growth Plan to make sure Northern communities enjoy greater growth in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner, and;
• Working with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to develop First Nation alternatives to diesel in the North.

We will resolve the future use of Ipperwash Park.

We will develop a framework to respond to Aboriginal disputes and direct action.

We will continue to work with First Nations and the federal government to settle outstanding land claims.

We will continue to streamline and reform Ontario's land claim process by:

• Making internal processes more efficient, and
• Working with the federal government on land claims reform initiatives.

Two new initiatives to streamline and reform Ontario's land claim process include:

• Eliminating the backlog of claims under review within three years, and
• Making sure new claims are assessed within three years.

As part of the work of the Ipperwash Inquiry Priorities and Action Committee, we will work with Aboriginal communities to explore options for a Treaty Commission of Ontario.

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Related Links:

• Ontario's New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs (2005)
• 2007 Throne Speech