Indigenous Relations
Indigenous Relations
- Indigenous partnerships are critical to advancing reconciliation, conducting operations, enhancing security, and improving our capabilities in the North and across Canada.
- That is why, in these Main Estimates, National Defence has earmarked $2.2 million for the Indigenous Reconciliation Program.
- This program will increase collaboration between National Defence and First Nation, Inuit and Métis partners to better understand diverse Indigenous perspectives and priorities while developing policies, programs and practices.
- Further, this program will help improve how National Defence engages with Indigenous communities, increase information sharing, help to establish respectful relationships with partners early on, build trust, and ensure transparency throughout project planning and implementation.
- We have worked directly with Indigenous community representatives in designing this program, and will continue to consult and incorporate feedback as the program evolves.
- In support of the whole-of-government efforts to advance reconciliation and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, National Defence also continues to engage Indigenous governments and organizations on Defence investments and planning.
- In particular, I welcomed the opportunity to brief the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee on NORAD modernization.
- Further engagements have been conducted through forums such as the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, and the Co-development of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, as well as at a local level.
- In addition, Indigenous businesses have proven crucial to the defence of Canada, particularly throughout Inuit Nunangat, and more broadly in the North.
- This is why we continue to work on a National Defence Indigenous Procurement Framework aimed at increasing Indigenous participation in the defence supply chain.
- For example, in October 2022, the Nasittuq Corporation was awarded a contract valued at $122 million for support services of Canadian Forces Station Alert, located in Nunavut.
- National Defence is also committed to increasing Indigenous representation in the forces through a number of dedicated recruitment and leadership programs, including the Canadian Armed Forces Indigenous Entry Program.
- In July, the Canadian Armed Forces will also run five Indigenous Summer Training programs nation-wide, which combine military skills training and Indigenous knowledge.
- We will continue to build and strengthen relationships with our Indigenous partners across Canada.
Key Facts
- Representation in the CAF: Indigenous representation in the Canadian Armed Forces is 2.7% as of April 1, 2022.
- Goal is 3.5% by 2026
- Approximately 23% of Canadian Rangers self-identify as Indigenous Peoples.
- Budget 2022: Included $9.5 million over five years for National Defence to facilitate engagement with Indigenous Peoples through the Indigenous Reconciliation Program as part of achieving the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
- Main Estimates 2023-24 includes $2.2 million to implement UNDRIP, including:
- $0.7 million in DND’s Operating Expenditures (Vote 1)
- $1.5 million in DND’s Grants and Contributions (Vote 10), specifically $1.05 million for the Indigenous Reconciliation Program and $450 thousand for the contribution program
- All six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) will be affiliated with regions of the Inuit Nunangat.
- June 2022: Lieutenant-General Jocelyn Paul becomes the first Indigenous commander of the Canadian Army, as well as the first Indigenous Defence Team Champion for Indigenous Peoples, and Indigenous Champion for DND/CAF.
Details
Indigenous Engagement
- National Defence is moving forward its relationship with Indigenous Peoples to advance reconciliation and work to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As part of these efforts, National Defence is engaging with Indigenous partners in a meaningful way to gain understanding of their perspectives and priorities.
- National Defence participated in the creation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy, which was co-developed with Inuit partners.
- This policy directs federal departments and agencies to consider Inuit priorities, and engage early on projects or initiatives that affect Inuit Nunangat.
- In April, 2022, National Defence formally joined the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC) as a way to formalize and improve cooperation and collaboration with Inuit partners on sovereignty, defence, and security. The ICPC Leaders Meetings at the Ministerial level, occurs three times a year. Once a year, it is co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the President Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), Natan Obed. ITK is the national representational organization protecting and advancing the rights and interests of Inuit in Canada. Collaboration is also ongoing at the working level to make progress on shared priorities through the ICPC Working Group on Sovereignty, Defence and Security.
- In September 2022, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence attended the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF) Leadership Committee meeting and presented to Northern Territorial and Indigenous leaders and other federal Ministers on NORAD modernization.
- In February 2023, following an incident in the Yukon involving the shooting down of a high-altitude object, National Defence engaged the ANPF All Partners Working Group, which is an officials’ level meeting, to provide Northern territorial and Indigenous partners with an update on the situation as well as a high-level, unclassified threat briefing on the Arctic.
- A full list of Strategic Level Engagement with Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous Partners on NORAD Modernization and Arctic Security can be found at Annex A.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
- National Defence also supports reconciliation with Indigenous partners by facilitating the strategic implementation of the United Nationals Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and National Defence’s participation in the associated Implementation Action Plan.
- In Budget 2022, National Defence received a total of $6 million over four years in Vote 10, starting in 2023-24, for the grants and contribution programs, the Indigenous Reconciliation Program (IRP).
- This program will support reconciliation with Indigenous partners and enable National Defence to better align its engagement and operations with the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- the IRP will provide Grants and Contributions funding up to $1.5 million annually to fund projects that help DND leverage the expertise and traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples across Canada. The goal of the program is to help National Defence in developing policies, programs and practices reflective of both First Nations, Inuit, and Metis priorities and National Defence needs.
- The IRP will fund National Defence collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners in order to better understand diverse Indigenous perspectives and priorities. Funding will be available to support a broad variety of engagement, consultation and information sharing activities, and to encourage collaboration with DND on projects and activities such as military exercises, infrastructure projects, real property transactions, policy research and decision making.
- There are several key areas of the UN Declaration that have specific implications for National Defence and reconciliation:
- Deepening engagement and collaboration on areas of mutual interest, notably military activities on Indigenous lands;
- Facilitating Indigenous governance, and supporting self-determination and the objective of free, prior and informed consent; and,
- Aligning our positions in treaty negotiations and in DND/CAF work that relates to land and to the environment with the Declaration.
- National Defence is also working closely with Indigenous partners on the co-development of the UN Declaration Action Plan measures in areas that apply to our department, with support from the Department of Justice.
Indigenous Investments
- The Government of Canada has implemented a mandatory target to have at least five percent (5%) of the total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. This target includes both infrastructure and materials procurement. Departments will be phased in to meet this new target, with National Defence onboarding in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
- National Defence has partnered with Defence Construction Canada to develop a Joint Indigenous Procurement Strategy, which includes outreach and consultation with Indigenous communities and firms.
- North Warning System In-Service Support Contract:
- On January 31, 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of National Defence, awarded a contract to the Nasittuq Corporation, an Inuit majority-owned company, for the operation and maintenance of the North Warning System.
- Contract value: The contract is for an initial period of seven years, and is valued at $592 million ($527 million before taxes). The contract also includes four two-year option periods for a total estimated value of $1.3 billion ($1.1 billion before taxes).
- Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert:
- On October 3, 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of National Defence, awarded a contract to Nasittuq Corporation to provide support services to CFS Alert in Nunavut. The contract covers all support services for CFS Alert, including accommodations, food services, maintenance and operation of grounds and roads, buildings, fuel storage tanks, fire alarm systems, and water and sewage treatment systems.
- Contract value: The contract is valued at $122 million (excluding taxes) for an initial period of eight-and-a-half years.
- In fiscal year 2021/2022, the total value of Indigenous contracts (inclusive of the North Warning system) was $634.5M, representing 20.6% of total contracts.
Canadian Rangers
- The Canadian Rangers, 23% of whom self-identify as Indigenous, are part of the Reserve Force and provide surveillance and sovereignty patrols, conduct training and support CAF operations to include federal responses to flooding, fires and community evacuation events, and may be called upon to support provincial, territorial, and local authorities conduct ground search and rescue.
- Canadian Rangers provided immediate Ground Search and Rescue support 40 times in 2021.
- They are the eyes and the ears in the North, enhancing key capabilities across Inuit Nunangat and beyond.
- Consisting of approximately 5,000 personnel working in approximately 200 communities, the Canadian Rangers help safeguard our communities in sparsely settled, remote, northern, coastal, and isolated areas of Canada.
- They also play a critical role in support of Indigenous communities, including during the pandemic through the transportation and distribution of information and supplies, provision of wellness checks, and staffing of emergency centres. In addition, they provide evacuation support in the event of flooding and fires.
- The Minister of National Defence recently announced a $3.7 billion dollar investment over the next 20 years to provide operational clothing and footwear for all the Canadian Armed Forces, including the Canadian Rangers.
- A Canadian Ranger authorized to use personal equipment for an approved CAF activity that incurs damage, or the loss of equipment, is entitled to reasonable cost of repairs or the fair market value of a replacement item, so long as these items are not already insured under a private premium.
- In recognition of the importance of this personal equipment to the livelihood of the Rangers, the CAF has recently streamlined the compensation claims process to allow more immediate levels of authority in their chain of command to approve their compensation claims. This will significantly expedite the process for Canadian Rangers to receive their reimbursement for repair or replacement of personal equipment in a more timely manner.
- Additionally, as part of Strong, Secure, Engaged the CAF has stood up a team that is currently working at enhancing the effectiveness of the Canadian Rangers to improve their functional capabilities through a holistic review of their role, mission, tasks and as required, update policies and processes to better enable the Canadian Rangers to execute their mission now and into the future.
Annex A
Strategic Level Engagement with Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous Partners on NORAD Modernization and Arctic Security
Associate Deputy Minister Northern Trip
Forum | Date | DND Participants | Non-DND Participants |
---|---|---|---|
DMA Northern Trip to Northwest Territories | 23-26 Jan 2023 | DMA, Def IGA, ADM(IE), included NORAD mod discussions | Territorial/Municipal: GNWT, Town of Inuvik Indigenous: Dene Nation, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Gwich’in Tribal Council, North Slave Métis Alliance Federal: CIRNAC Regional Office |
Arctic and Northern Policy Framework
Forum | Date | DND Participants | Non-DND Participants |
---|---|---|---|
ANPF All Partners Working Group |
15 June 2021 |
ADM(Policy) officials briefed on NORAD modernization |
Provincial/Territorial: NWT, Nunavut, Yukon, Manitoba, Quebec, NFLD Indigenous: Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Dene Nation, Council of Yukon First Nations, Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation, Tłı̨chǫ Government Federal: CIRNAC, GAC |
ANPF All Partners Working Group |
25 Jan 2022 |
ADM(Pol) Officials briefed on NORAD modernization updates |
Provincial/Territorial: Nunavut, Yukon, Manitoba, Quebec, NFLD Indigenous: Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), Dene Nation, Council of Yukon First Nations, Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Gwich’in Council International, Gwich’in Tribal Council Federal: CIRNAC, GAC |
ANPF All Partners Working Group |
19 July 2022 |
ADM(Pol) Officials provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Provincial/Territorial: Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, Manitoba, Quebec Indigenous: Council of Yukon First Nations, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government Federal: CIRNAC, GAC, NRCAN |
ANPF Leaders Meeting |
29 Sept 2022 |
Parliamentary Secretary provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Indigenous Leaders from: Gwich’in Tribal Council, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Little Salmon FN, North Slave Métis Alliance. Provincial/Territorial: Premier Cochrane (NWT) (co-chair), Premier Akeeagok (NU), Premier Silver (YK), Government of Québec, Government of Manitoba. Federal: Minister Vandal (co-chair), Minister Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary Jones (NRCan/Northern Affairs), MP Michael McLeod. |
ANPF All Partners Working Group |
21 Feb 2023 |
ADM(Pol) officials, JTFN, CFINTCOM provided a threat brief and spoke of the high-altitude object |
Indigenous partners from: Gwitch’in Council International, Council of Yukon First Nations, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada (ICCC) Provincial/Territorial: Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Québec Federal: CIRNAC, GAC, RCMP |
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) – Inuit Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC)Footnote *
Forum | Date | DND Participants | Non-DND Participants |
---|---|---|---|
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) |
7 Oct 2021 |
ADM(Pol), ADM(IE) Director General Indigenous Affairs (DGIA) officials briefed on NORAD modernization |
Executive Director, |
ITK |
2 Dec 2021 |
ADM(Pol) officials, ADM(IE) DGIA briefed on NORAD modernization |
Director Policy Advancement; Senior Policy Advisors |
ITK (Ministerial bilateral engagement) |
16 Dec 2022 |
MND |
President ITK |
ITK |
27 Jan 2022 |
ADM(Pol), ADM(IE) Director General Indigenous Affairs (DGIA), briefed on NORAD modernization |
Executive Director, |
ITK |
9 Mar 2022 |
ADM(Pol) officials, ADM(IE) DGIA, provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Director Policy Advancement; Senior Policy Advisor |
ITK (Ministerial bilateral engagement) |
24 Mar 2022 |
MND |
President ITK |
ICPC |
21 April 2022 |
MND, briefed on NORAD modernization |
Inuit: President ITK, Chair & CEO Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, President Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, President Makivvik Corporation, President Nunatsiavut Government, President Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, President Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, President Inuit Youth Council GOC: Prime Minister, Ministers for Crown Indigenous Relations, Northern Affairs, Indigenous Services Canada, Justice, Transport |
ITK |
11 May 2022 |
ADM(Pol), ADM(IE) provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Executive Director, |
ICPC |
27 June 2022 |
MND (virtual), provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Inuit: President ITK, Chair & CEO Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, President Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, President Makivvik Corporation, President Nunatsiavut Government, President Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, President Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, President Inuit Youth Council GOC: Ministers for Crown Indigenous Relations, Northern Affairs, Indigenous Services Canada, Justice, Transport, Treasury Board, Heritage |
ICPC (Sovereignty, Defence and Security Working Group) |
12 Dec 2022 |
MND, ADM(Pol), Def IGA, D NORAD, ADM(IE) (DGDRPPP, DGIA), SJS, JAG, CFINTCOM |
Inuit: ITK (including President Obed), IRC, Makivvik Corporation, NTI, Nunatsiavut Government, ICC Canada GOC: CSIS, GAC |
Provinces and Territories
Pan-Territorial Engagements
Forum | Date | DND Participants | Non-DND Participants |
---|---|---|---|
|
11 Mar 2022 |
MND, Commander CFINTCOM, ADM(Pol) officials provided a threat brief and discussions following invasion of Ukraine |
Premiers Cochrane, Akeeagok, Silver, Minister Vandal, GAC officials |
1 Apr 2022 |
MND, ADM(Pol) officials |
Prime Minister, Premiers Cochrane, Akeeagok, Silver |
|
7 Mar 2023 |
ADM(Pol) officials, Comd JTFN, Comd CFINTCOM provided a threat brief following the high altitude object |
Premiers Cochrane, Akeeagok, Pillai, Minister Vandal, PMO, MNDO, PCO IGA |
NWT
Forum | Date | DND Participants | Non-DND Participants |
---|---|---|---|
|
28 June 2021 |
ADM(Pol) Officials briefed on NORAD modernization |
Deputy Secretary Indigenous and IGA |
13 June 2022 |
ADM(Pol) Officials provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Deputy Secretary Indigenous and IGA |
Nunavut
Forum | Date | DND Participants | Non-DND Participants |
---|---|---|---|
|
20 July 2021 |
ADM(Pol) Officials briefed on NORAD modernization |
Acting ADM, Indigenous and Circumpolar Affairs in the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs |
28 June 2022 |
ADM(Pol) Officials provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Director Indigenous and Circumpolar Affairs |
Yukon
Forum | Date | DND Participants | Non-DND Participants |
---|---|---|---|
|
28 July 2021 |
ADM(Pol) Officials briefed on NORAD modernization |
ADM Intergovernmental Affairs |
29 June 2022 |
ADM(Pol) Officials provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Intergovernmental Affairs |
|
31 Jan 2023 |
ADM(Pol) and CMP Officials provided an update on NORAD modernization |
Intergovernmental Affairs |
Arctic Forums
Forum | Date | DND Participants | Non-DND Participants |
---|---|---|---|
Arctic Security Working Group (ASWG) |
24 Nov 2021 |
Commander Joint Task Force North (JTFN), ADM(Pol), SJS, CJOC, ADM(IE), CFINTCOM, Maritime Security Operations Centre (MSOC) briefed on NORAD modernization |
Indigenous Governments, academics, industry, Coast Guard, RCMP, CIRNAC, Transport Canada, Public Safety, territorial representatives |
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