Indigenous partnerships are critical to advancing reconciliation, conducting operations, enhancing security, and improving our capabilities in the North and across Canada.
That is why we are engaging Indigenous governments and organizations on Defence investments and planning, through forums such as the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee and the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework as well as at a local level.
Indigenous businesses have proven crucial to the defence of Canada, particularly in the Arctic.
For example, in October 2022, the Nasittuq Corporation, an Inuit majority-owned company, was awarded a contract valued at $122 million for support services of Canadian Forces Station Alert.
We are also working on a National Defence Indigenous Procurement Framework aimed at increasing Indigenous participation in the defence supply chain.
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 and five Indigenous Summer Training programs nation-wide, which combine military skills training and Indigenous cultural teachings.
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% ofCanadian Rangers self-identify as Indigenous Peoples.
Budget 2022: Includes $9.5 million over five years for National Defence to facilitate engagement with Indigenous Peoples through the Indigenous Reconciliation Program, which will be launched in April 2023, in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
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.
Details
Indigenous Engagement
National Defence has a legal duty to consult with Indigenous governments when contemplating activities that may have an impact on Aboriginal or Treaty rights. However, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP), National Defence is looking to go beyond this duty to engage with Indigenous partners in a meaningful way to gain their perspectives and priorities.
National Defence participated in the creation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy, which was co-developed with Inuit;
This policy directs federal departments and agencies to consider Inuit priorities, and engage early on projects, policies 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. 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 organization that represents all Inuit. Collaboration is also ongoing at the working level to make progress on shared priorities through a Sovereignty, Defence and Security Working Group.
In September 2022, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence attended the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework 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.
Indigenous Reconciliation
National Defence also supports reconciliation with Indigenous partners by facilitating the strategic implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and National Defence’s participation in the associated Implementation Action Plan.
There are several key areas of UNDRIP that have specific implications for National Defence and reconciliation:
Deepening engagement and collaboration on areas of mutual interest;
Facilitating governance, self-determination and free, prior and informed consent; and,
Negotiating lands, territories and resources (including the environment and access).
Indigenous Investments
The Government of Canada has implemented a mandatory target to have at least five percent 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 included outreach and consultation with Indigenous communities and firms.
North Warning System In-Service Support Contract:
On January 31, 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), 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, PSPC, 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, water and sewage treatment systems, and a quarry operation.
Contract value: The contract is valued at $122 million (excluding taxes) for an initial period of eight-and-a-half years.
Canadian Rangers
The Canadian Rangers, many of which are Indigenous, are part of the Reserve force and provide surveillance and sovereignty patrols, conduct training and operations, 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 also play a critical role in support of Indigenous communities, including during the pandemic through transportation and distribution of information and supplies, wellness checks, and staffing emergency centres. In addition, they provide evacuation support in the event of flooding and fires.
