Backgrounder

In order to help address the problem of low Aboriginal participation levels in the minerals industry across Canada, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) Sub-committee on Aboriginal Participation in Mining was created in 1989 at the request of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).

The goals of the Sub-committee are to increase Aboriginal participation in the Canadian minerals industry for the benefit of Aboriginal peoples and communities, and to help IGWG and other stakeholders make informed decisions on issues relating to Aboriginal participation in the minerals industry. The 2005 chair and co-chair of the Sub-committee were the Government of Nunavut and INAC, respectively.

IGWG members are appointed by the ministers responsible for the mining industry from each province and territory, and two federal agencies (Natural Resources Canada and INAC). These members have the responsibility for the minerals industry in their respective jurisdictions and are responsible to their respective provincial or territorial ministers.

The provincial, territorial and federal mines ministers formalized their renewed commitment to increasing Aboriginal participation in the minerals industry in Canada in their 2004 Mines Ministers' Conference and subsequent Action Plan. The 2004 Action Plan states that Aboriginal issues will be an agenda item at all future Mines Ministers' Conferences. Furthermore, the Ministers mandated the re-activation of the Sub-committee and asked the Sub-committee to look at the issue of meeting the future workforce demands of the industry as a priority.

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