What?

Gathering Strength is a renewal of our relationship with Aboriginal people. It is based on: recognizing past mistakes and injustices; commencing reconciliation, healing and renewal; and building a joint plan for the future. The report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples tells us that significant changes in the relationship between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal people are urgently required. The Government of Canada agrees.

Why?

Conditions in Aboriginal communities generally are much worse than those of their non-Aboriginal neighbours. Many Aboriginal communities lack the appropriate institutions, resources and expertise needed to deal effectively with such serious problems as rates of infant mortality, youth suicide, unemployment and dependence on social assistance which are higher than the national average.

Our goal is to work closely with Aboriginal people and other partners on a variety of issues aimed at providing the appropriate tools to build the means and capacity to effect social change.

When?

Gathering Strength is an action plan that begins now. It sets long-term objectives but also focusses on short-term results that will bring real and meaningful change to the everyday lives of Aboriginal people. It is about taking steps today to give Aboriginal people - particularly Aboriginal youth and children - the promise of a better tomorrow.

Who?

The success of Gathering Strength will depend on the determination of the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments and the private sector working with Aboriginal people. The challenges faced by Aboriginal people and communities cannot be addressed by governments - federal, Aboriginal, provincial, territorial, municipal - or associations acting in isolation from one another.

How?

While the problems are complex, the plan's approach is not. At the heart of the Action Plan is a commitment to address the needs of communities by building real partnerships with Aboriginal people, including the development of mechanisms to recognize sustainable and accountable Aboriginal governments and institutions. An essential aspect is the need to work closely together to define this partnership and shape a common vision of the relationship between us.

The plan has four objectives:

• Renewing the Partnerships
• Strengthening Aboriginal Governance
• Developing a New Fiscal Relationship
• Supporting Strong Communities, People and Economies

Renewing the Partnerships

The Government of Canada is committed to a new model for our relationship with Aboriginal people and their governments - one that respects the past while looking to the future with promise and hope. The Royal Commission called for a renewed partnership based on the principles of mutual respect and recognition, responsibility and sharing.

Steps include:

• a Statement of Reconciliation by the Government of Canada, formally acknowledging and regretting historic injustices experienced by Aboriginal people
• community-based healing to address the lasting effects of physical and sexual abuse in the Residential Schools system
• an Aboriginal languages program
• a public education campaign to help non-Aboriginal Canadians better understand Aboriginal issues
• a more co-ordinated approach to dealing with the issues facing urban Aboriginal people

Strengthening Aboriginal Governance

The development of strong, effective, and accountable Aboriginal governments and institutions is a political idea that must be a practical reality. Strengthening Aboriginal governance means working with Aboriginal people, the provinces and territories, as well as other partners, to develop practical, sustainable governance arrangements for Aboriginal people that are built on legitimacy, authority and accountability.Steps include:

• a capacity-building component in self-government negotiation and implementation processes

• professional development strategies in law-making, environmental stewardship, land and resource management and community support

• affirming treaty relationships

• commemoration of the historic treaties

• additional forums for exploratory discussions with Treaty First Nations

• a new Independent Claims body

• cost-shared Métis enumeration

• exploring an Aboriginal governments recognition instrument

• funding for Aboriginal women's organizations to facilitate greater participation of women in self-government processes

• establishment of an Aboriginal governance Centre of Excellence to assist Aboriginal groups in the negotiation and implementation of self-government

Developing a New Fiscal Relationship

Strong Aboriginal governments and institutions need fiscal autonomy and financial capacity.

Steps include:

• a new fiscal relationship with Aboriginal governments and institutions which is more stable, supports strong accountability, and promotes greater self-reliance

• new financial standards comparable to those for other governments in Canada, including a system of public accounts and consolidated audits that comply with generally accepted accounting principles

• support for Aboriginal governments wanting to increase their level of financial indepen- dence by helping First Nations to develop their own sources of revenue, including taxation

• Statistical Training Program for Aboriginal groups in order to improve data collection methods and routine information exchange between the federal government and Aboriginal governments

• an Aboriginal Peoples Survey following the 2001 Census of Canada to improve data collection

Supporting Strong Communities, People and Economies

The Government of Canada will work with Aboriginal people, other governments and the private sector to break the cycle of despair and economic underdevelopment in Aboriginal communities. The Government of Canada is committed to improving health and public safety, investing in people and strengthening economic development. An over-riding objective is employing approaches that strengthen the capacity of Aboriginal people and organizations to design and deliver programs and services to meet the needs of Aboriginal people.

Steps include:

• a five-year Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, supported by a private-sector driven Council
• resources to increase the number of adequate houses on reserves
• additional resources to address the water and sewer facilities backlog on reserves
• expanded Aboriginal policing services
• an Aboriginal Health Institute
• an on-reserve Aboriginal Head Start Program
• a greater focus on prevention, care and support, surveillance and research on diabetes in Aboriginal communities
• education reform on reserve in partnership with First Nations
• a network of urban multi-purpose Aboriginal youth centres
• increased Aboriginal business access to capital and markets
• increased self-reliance and reduced welfare dependence of First Nations

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