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Global Affairs Canada’s Action Plan on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples - 2021–2025

Introduction

Global Affairs Canada’s Action Plan on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples provides a framework to guide the department’s efforts to advance the rights, perspectives and prosperity of Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world, from 2021 to 2025.  It aims to assist our officials to deliver upon these commitments, both in Canada and abroad. Progress will be assessed on an annual basis.

Walking on the path of reconciliation means enhancing Global Affairs Canada’s engagement with Indigenous peoples in Canada and globally. It involves listening to, learning from, and working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada, as well as with Indigenous peoples around the world. It requires us to strengthen our understanding of, and respect for, the rights, histories, traditions, cultures, languages and perspectives of Indigenous peoples. And it demands a commitment to address the unique challenges and systemic racism that Indigenous peoples continue to face, including in Canada and in our workplace.

Our department is fortunate to benefit from the talent, contributions and viewpoints of Indigenous employees. We are fully committed to taking action to ensure that First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples feel welcomed, respected and enabled to thrive at Global Affairs Canada. We will also work together with Indigenous employees to implement this Action Plan.

We recognize that implementing this Action Plan will take hard work. Together, we look forward to building a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future with Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world.

We acknowledge the Indigenous peoples on whose traditional territories the offices of Global Affairs Canada, across the country, have the privilege to be situated. In particular, the department’s headquarters in the National Capital Region are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people. We honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. Thank you. Nia:wen. Qujannamik. Migwetch.

Vision

In partnership with Indigenous peoples in Canada and abroad, Global Affairs Canada will advance the rights, perspectives and prosperity of Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world.

Purpose

This Action Plan provides a foundation and guiding framework for Global Affairs Canada’s efforts to make progress towards this vision over the next 4 years. It builds on previous departmental initiatives that have paved the way towards greater engagement with Indigenous peoples.

It is intended to reinforce other strategic policy initiatives, including the ongoing work of the Anti-Racism Secretariat; Canada’s Inclusive Approach to Trade; the feminist foreign policy and the Feminist International Assistance Policy; the departmental strategy for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Guiding principles for action

This Action Plan is informed by the following guiding principles:

Strengthening relationships with Indigenous peoples

Canada is built on the ancestral lands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. It is a country that has historically denied Indigenous peoples their rights through assimilationist policies and practices, including the residential school system. Global Affairs Canada played a role in Canada’s colonial history, and today it has a responsibility to promote systemic change. Global Affairs Canada will accelerate its efforts to strengthen relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada based on a renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government and Inuit-Crown relationship; and on self-determination and the recognition of rights, respect, trust, cooperation and partnership. Walking the shared path of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada is not only about righting the wrongs of the past. It also requires listening to, learning from, and working together with Indigenous peoples to build a better future.

Global Affairs Canada is committed to applying a reconciliation lens across its diplomacy and advocacy, trade and investment, security, international assistance, and consular and management affairs. In doing so, it is informed and guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action (2015), the Many Voices One Mind recommendations of the Interdepartmental Circles on Indigenous Representation (2017) and Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and its Calls for Justice (2019).

Our efforts to advance reconciliation must ensure that First Nations, Inuit and Métis employees feel welcomed, respected and enabled to thrive at Global Affairs Canada. We have more work to do to build an inclusive work culture and make meaningful progress on the recruitment, representation and career development of Indigenous employees at all levels. This Action Plan was developed in collaboration with Indigenous employees, and its implementation must also be pursued in partnership with them.

Internationally, Global Affairs Canada will continue to be a strong advocate for the full and effective participation of Indigenous peoples around the globe in international matters that affect them.

“Reconciliation is an ongoing process, through which Indigenous peoples and the Government of Canada work cooperatively to establish and maintain a mutually respectful framework for living together, with a view to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable Indigenous nations within a strong Canada.”

Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples

Advancing a human rights-based approach

Underpinning the department’s approach is a commitment to respect and implement the rights of all Indigenous peoples, as embedded in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada fully endorsed in 2016. On June 21, 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act received Royal Assent and came immediately into force. This legislation advances the implementation of the Declaration as a key step in renewing the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.  Global Affairs Canada respects Indigenous peoples’ rights in Canada as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act (1982), and is guided by the Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

Advancing a feminist approach

In implementing this Action Plan, Global Affairs Canada will prioritize gender equality and the rights of Indigenous women and girls, as well as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQQIA+) persons. Consistent with the department’s feminist agenda, this means recognizing that inequalities and discrimination exist along intersectional lines and designing our policies and programs accordingly.

Learning from our experiences at home

Our efforts to define, shape and advance Canada’s interests and values in a complex global environment must be informed by the challenges faced and lessons learned at home. Much work remains ahead before First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada have adequate housing, quality education and safe drinking water; before they no longer face discrimination; and before Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons no longer face violence. Our work to advance human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals globally must also recognize the work that remains to be done at home to address the discrimination, racism, violence and socio-economic barriers faced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada as a result of the ongoing legacy of colonialism. Our initiatives to prevent and address violence against women and girls as well as 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons globally should be informed by the work to address the calls for justice by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Our work should reflect the richness, distinctiveness and outlooks of Indigenous cultural bearers and communities. And our contributions to global solutions to tackle climate change should reflect the impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities across Canada and bolster Indigenous-led solutions.

Goals and actions

The following 6 goals and 24 actions will guide the department’s efforts over the next 4 years, both in Canada and abroad.

Goal 1: Make GAC an inclusive and supportive space for Indigenous peoples.

Goal 2: Increase all employees’ knowledge and understanding of the rights, histories, heritage, cultures, and diverse perspectives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and the importance of advancing reconciliation.

Goal 3: Expand and deepen partnerships with Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world to enhance their participation and respond to their identified priorities.

Goal 4: Promote respect for Indigenous peoples’ rights and perspectives.

Goal 5: Enable First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada to access economic opportunities.

Goal 6: Strengthen the collection and use of data as well as reporting on engagement with Indigenous peoples.

Monitoring progress

Progress will be monitored closely through qualitative and quantitative performance measures and summarized in an annual progress report.

A new advisory group, comprising Indigenous and non-Indigenous employees, will review progress on an annual basis, discuss emerging issues and make recommendations to senior management.

Check out our yearly reports:

Examples of GAC’s partnerships with Indigenous peoples

GAC is engaged in partnerships with Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world. These partnerships have taken various forms.

Trade and Indigenous peoples

The trade-focused Indigenous Working Group has co-developed the model Trade and Indigenous Peoples Chapter in FTA negotiations, and an Indigenous Peoples Rights General Exception in CUSMA.

Arctic policy

GAC engages northern Indigenous partners on Canada’s key international Arctic policies and positions through the longstanding Arctic Cooperation Advisory Committee.

Indigenous art

The Visual Art Collection Program has engaged external Indigenous curators to acquire and showcase artwork by Indigenous artists in Canada’s diplomatic missions abroad.

Addressing violence against women and girls

GAC provided $2.98M to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights from 2017 to 2021 to address violence and discrimination against women and girls, including Indigenous women and girls.

Faceless Dolls Sister Panels Exhibit

In 2019, GAC’s Indigenous Peoples Champion and the Indigenous Peoples Network, in partnership with the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), unveiled the Faceless Dolls Sister Panels Exhibit to honour and recognize the many missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

Indigenous rights

GAC works closely with Indigenous partners in Canada to advance the rights and participation of Indigenous peoples at the UN.

Regional advocacy

In 2019, GAC held the inaugural “Indigenous Peoples and Rights: Advocacy Workshop” in Lima, Peru to further the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Columbia River Treaty

As part of the Columbia River Treaty modernization process, GAC leads on bilateral negotiations with the United States and engages regularly with the three Columbia River Indigenous Nations situated in the Canadian portion of the basin.

Enabling Indigenous businesses

GAC has partnered with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business to deepen our understanding of the specific challenges faced by Indigenous exporters—particularly businesses operating on reserve—with the goal of improving policy and programming to help Indigenous businesses succeed internationally.

Sustainable development

GAC supports many projects that target or work with Indigenous peoples in developing countries, including in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on:

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