Indian and Northern Affairs Canada programs and services play a key role in achieving the goals of Gathering Strength - Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan. Gathering Strength has four main themes:

• renewing the partnership;
• strengthening Aboriginal governance;
• developing a new fiscal relationship and;
• supporting strong communities, people and economies.

There is also an agenda for Canada's North, which is a diverse, vibrant and forward-looking region that is vital to our nation's identity and economy.

To renew the partnerships, we're focussing on initiatives that help us move beyond historic grievances, so that together we can deal with the challenges of the present and the opportunities of the future.

We consider that economic development and governance go hand in hand; recognizing this potential means that we are truly investing in the future. To strengthen governance, initiatives range from settling comprehensive claims as quickly as possible to encouraging professional development, and are aimed at ensuring First Nations communities have the resources and capabilities to achieve self-government.

We are working with Aboriginal partners to develop our new fiscal relationship and support more stable, transparent fiscal models and strong accountability processes. This will strengthen the operations of Aboriginal governments - including enabling self-reliant Aboriginal governments to benefit from opportunities such as co-management of resources, economic development and other revenue generation.

From improving health and public safety to strengthening economic development, programs to support strong communities, people and economies are helping Aboriginal people and organizations design and deliver programs and services that meet their needs. The effort we're making in building partnerships, and in strengthening governance and fiscal relationships, supports the core thrust of Gathering Strength; making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

The Northern Agenda focusses on advancing the social, political and sustainable development of Canada's North for the benefit of all northerners, through partnership with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal northerners, northern governments and the private sector.

We invite you to follow the links below for our program and services information, forms, and policy and research information about topics such as economic development, social development, educations, lands, environment, and more. You'll also find links to other useful websites.

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