First Nations Breakout Groups

The participants of the First Nations breakout groups at all seven follow-up sessions produced a combined total of over 220 pages of transcribed flip chart notes. The facilitators’ follow-up reports dedicated a combined total of 60 pages to the First Nations breakout groups.

Jurisdiction, control and governance

Common discussion threads identified included: (a) recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights; (b) legislative and policy review; and (c) implementation of First Nations governments.

a) Recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights

For a renewed relationship to be established, Aboriginal and treaty rights should be recognized and affirmed by federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments, and the federal government should accept its fiduciary responsibility. Government-to-government relationships should be acknowledged and implemented as partnerships between equals.

b) Legislative and policy review

Legislative and policy frameworks should be developed with First Nations taking the lead and/or through collaborative processes in which First Nations and all levels of government examine transformative change. Legislative and policy frameworks should be based on First Nations cultural values and tied to community capacities, geographic considerations, and the needs and aspirations of the populations being served.

c) Implementation of First Nations governments

First Nations governance structures should be respected and acknowledged by all governments, and supported through the establishment of mandated institutions with corresponding authority at the local, regional or national level as appropriate. Governance models need to be inclusive of First Nations citizens regardless of geographic location or residence.

Building capacity

Common discussion threads identified included: (a) human resource development; (b) systems and capacity development; and (c) effective, culturally appropriate education systems.

a) Human resource development

In all sectors there is a need for more First Nations professionals, as well as accredited and/or skilled human resources to support the healthy functioning of First Nations communities. Also needed is access to employment, skills and accreditation training, both on and off reserve. Training and skills development efforts should be located closer to First Nations communities; this would support professional development for members of the labour force. Capacity development of First Nations women needs to be considered, this may include providing access to childcare, and ensuring women are represented within the development of protocols, negotiations and governance bodies.

b) Systems and capacity development

First Nations need support to develop and maintain governance structures that meet community expectations and desired outcomes. First Nations cultural viewpoints should be integrated to set the framework for appropriate regulations and standards. Equally important for systems development would be ownership, control, access and possession for research and data collection.

In all sectors, First Nations need more institutions designed to meet the needs of communities at the local, tribal, regional and national level. These institutions should have financing to support their capacity, staffing and skills development in order to enable the delivery of programs and services.

c) Effective, culturally appropriate education systems

To achieve sustainable First Nations education systems, First Nations jurisdiction and control should be recognized; institutions should be developed; funding should be provided to meet real educational needs both on and off reserve; and support should be given to the development and integration of culture and language curriculum, including a role for Elders.

Improving access

Common discussion threads identified included: (a) sustainable and increased funding arrangements; and (b) program and service coordination.

a) Sustainable and increased funding arrangements

Long-term, multi-year formulas should apply to government funding to First Nations. Financial arrangements should be similar to the government-to-government arrangements that the federal government has with provinces and territories. Current federal funding policies and formulas should be adjusted to reflect the real costs of delivering programs and services, provide flexibility in meeting diverse community interests and priorities, and streamline funding access by reducing the need for multiple proposals and reports.

b) Program and service coordination

An equitable partnership role for First Nations will support federal-provincial/territorial collaborations and give First Nations access to a wider range of programs and services. Partnership or collaborative approaches with other governments, agencies and organizations could more effectively support communities with smaller populations, isolated and remote communities, urban populations, and First Nations women.

Accountability/measuring progress

Common discussion threads identified included: (a) establishing a new accountability framework; and (b) policy review/machinery of government.

a) Establishing a new accountability framework

For an appropriate accountability framework to be established, First Nations should be included as equal partners, the federal government should acknowledge and fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities, and efforts should be made to clarify jurisdictional matters (including section 35 of the Constitution Act 1982). “Progress reports” should be preferred over “report cards,” and a shift should be made to a community accountability paradigm.

b) Policy review/machinery of government

A new accountability and reporting framework is needed. First Nations should participate fully in the review and adjustment of policies guiding Treasury Board’s Results-based Accountability Framework and the machinery of government initiatives if they are to be appropriate to First Nations communities, institutions and legal entities.

Application of the “crosscutting lenses”

Common discussion threads identified included: (a) rural, remote and northern communities; (b) First Nations people living in urban centres; (c) First Nations women; and (d) First Nations persons with disabilities.

a) Rural, remote and northern communities

Policy development, program design and reporting guidelines should reflect the capacities of small communities in rural, remote and northern locations. They should include clear and separate definitions for rural, remote and northern communities. They should support increased connectivity for those communities.

b) First Nations people living in urban centres

First Nations people living in urban centres have “portable rights” and need acknowledgement, access and accountability. Governments should recognize the need to adjust First Nations funding formulas to meet urban population demands.

c) First Nations women

In all First Nations governments, programs and services, it should become standard policy to include gender-based analysis on all issues. Women need to be provided with a stronger voice in decision making and should be consulted on issues affecting them and their children. Matrimonial and real property rights need to be resolved, and there should be more programming on violence prevention. Full and equal representation of women in the decision making process—both political and non-political processes from the local to national level—would help to improve the overall socio-economic status of women.

d) First Nations persons with disabilities

First Nations people with disabilities need a stronger voice and role in the establishment of programs and services across all sectors. Policy and program design and implementation should accommodate the physical environments as well as the health and educational needs of people living with a disability so that they can participate fully within their communities.

Table of Contents

The documentation contained on this website does not necessarily represent the views of any government or National Aboriginal Organization. The purpose of this website is to share information related to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable: background papers, Facilitator's sectoral and final reports, agendas and media announcements.

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