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FEDERAL MINISTERS AND NATIONAL ABORIGINAL LEADERS PARTICIPATE IN JOINT POLICY RETREAT

Ottawa, Ontario (May 31, 2005) - The Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and the leaders of five National Aboriginal Organizations met today for a Policy Retreat in a new spirit of cooperation and to address long-term challenges.

The leaders of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the Métis National Council (MNC), the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) also signed joint accords with the Government of Canada that will ensure their direct involvement in Aboriginal policy development.

“Today marks an important step in building a stronger and more positive relationship between the Government of Canada and Aboriginal Canadians,” said the Prime Minister. “The Canada-Aboriginal Roundtable Process that we launched a year ago, and the work we have done today, moves us closer to our goal of closing the gap in the quality of life for Aboriginal peoples.”

Agreement was reached on directions for change in health, education/lifelong learning, housing, economic opportunities, negotiations/relationships and accountability for results.

“The Roundtable process and this Policy Retreat demonstrate new collaboration and partnership,” said the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Vice-Chair of the Cabinet Committee of Aboriginal Affairs. “While there is still much work to be done and the issues will not be resolved overnight, this inclusive process will help ensure First Nations, Métis and Inuit people can take their place in the federation and exercise greater control over their social and economic aspirations. The accords signed today underline our shared commitment to continue working together.

The Prime Minister recognized the involvement and commitment of Ministers Dosanjh, Fontana, Emerson, Scott and Alcock, who were each responsible for leading one of the Policy Roundtables, as well as AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine, ITK President Jose Kusugak, MNC President Clément Chartier, CAP Chief Dwight Dorey and NWAC President Beverly Jacobs.

For more information of the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable  please visit http://www.aboriginalroundtable.ca/index_e.html, or contact:

Campbell Morrison
Press Secretary
Minister Andy Scott's Office
INAC
(819) 997-0002
morrisonc@ainc-inac.gc.ca

Backgrounder - Strengthening Relationships

A First Nations - Federal Crown Political Accord on the Recognition and Implementation of First Nation Governments (PDF format 433 Kb)

Partnership Accord Between The Inuit of Canada as represented by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Her Majesty The Queen in right of Canada as represented by The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (PDF format 611 Kb)

Métis Nation Framework Agreement between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and The Métis National Council (PDF format 299 Kb)

Accord on Cooperative Policy Development between the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada (PDF format 595 Kb)

Accord on Cooperative Policy Development between the Native Women’s Association of Canada and the Government of Canada (PDF format 458 Kb)

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