¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ’s Action Plan on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples - 2021–2025
Introduction
¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ’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 ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ’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 ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ. 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 ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ, 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, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ 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 ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ’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; ; 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. ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ played a role in Canada’s colonial history, and today it has a responsibility to promote systemic change. ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ 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.
¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ 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 , and .
Our efforts to advance reconciliation must ensure that First Nations, Inuit and Métis employees feel welcomed, respected and enabled to thrive at ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ. 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, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ 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.”
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 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. ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ respects Indigenous peoples’ rights in Canada as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act (1982), and is guided by the .
Advancing a feminist approach
In implementing this Action Plan, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ 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.
- Action 1: Make meaningful progress on the recruitment, representation and career development of Indigenous employees at all levels.
- Action 2: Actively engage with Indigenous employees and integrate their perspectives into the Department’s efforts to address systemic racism and racial discrimination.
- Action 3: Demonstrate leadership to promote reconciliation at all levels.
- Action 4: Ensure that Indigenous cultures and traditions, in all of their diversity, inform GAC spaces.
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.
- Action 5: Provide training as well as tools for GAC employees on the rights, history, heritage, cultures and diverse perspectives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada, and employees’ role in advancing reconciliation.
- Action 6: Provide tools to employees at Headquarters and at missions to strengthen engagement with Indigenous partners in Canada and abroad.
- Action 7: In collaboration with Indigenous peoples, organize corporate activities at home and abroad that honour and celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
- Action 8: Provide guidance to GAC employees on protocols and acknowledgment of the traditional territory on which they work.
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.
- Action 9: Establish a regular and coordinated dialogue with Indigenous partners in Canada on GAC’s international engagement.
- Action 10: Undertake meaningful engagement with Indigenous partners in Canada on their priorities regarding Canada’s international advocacy and diplomacy; trade and investment; development, peace and security programming; and help for Canadians abroad.
- Action 11: Enable Indigenous peoples’ representation and meaningful engagement in international discussions and decisions affecting them.
- Action 12: Contribute to the strengthening of nation-to-nation, government-to-government, and Inuit–Crown relationships with Indigenous nations in Canada.
Goal 4: Promote respect for Indigenous peoples’ rights and perspectives.
- Action 13: Reflect the perspectives of Indigenous women and girls, in all of their diversity, in policies and programming, including through the strengthening of the application of GBA+ assessments across the department’s work.
- Action 14: Lead initiatives that promote Indigenous peoples’ rights and perspectives, with a priority focus on Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons, in regional and multilateral forums.
- Action 15: Promote Indigenous peoples’ rights and perspectives, with a priority focus on Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons, through bilateral engagement with other governments and with Indigenous partners in Canada and abroad.
- Action 16: Enable Indigenous human rights defenders.
- Action 17: Ensure a strong Indigenous focus in cultural diplomacy.
- Action 18: Promote the strengthening and implementation of international standards for responsible business practices that include Indigenous perspectives.
- Action 19: Reflect Indigenous peoples’ rights and needs on the ground in the delivery of GAC’s services and international assistance.
Goal 5: Enable First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada to access economic opportunities.
- Action 20: Enable export-ready Indigenous businesses in Canada to identify and pursue business opportunities abroad.
- Action 21: Improve Indigenous businesses’ access to the benefits of International trade.
- Action 22: Increase the range of opportunities for Indigenous businesses in GAC procurement.
- Action 23: Provide Indigenous young professionals in Canada with opportunities to gain international work and learning experience.
Goal 6: Strengthen the collection and use of data as well as reporting on engagement with Indigenous peoples.
- Action 24: Improve disaggregated data collection and reporting across GAC business lines on engagement with and support to Indigenous peoples at home and abroad.
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:
- human rights
- food security
- climate change resilience
- maternal, newborn and child health
- economic empowerment of women and youth
- inclusive governance
- extractive industries
- recovery from the impacts of COVID-19
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