Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples

The Department has supported the Working Group of Ministers on the Review of Laws and Policies related to Indigenous Peoples in examining relevant federal laws, policies, and operational practices.

We published and put into practice the Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples. These reflect a commitment to good faith, the rule of law, democracy, equality, non-discrimination, and respect for human rights, while serving as a guide to all work supporting this renewed relationship.

The Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples also establishes guidelines that all litigators must apply in the approaches, positions, and decisions taken on behalf of the Attorney General of Canada in civil litigation involving Indigenous peoples.

We are implementing the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Bill C-262 aims to ensure that Canada’s laws are in harmony with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Department has adopted a recognition of rights approach as the basis of all relations with Indigenous peoples.

We support discussions related to negotiations on modern treaties, self-government, and land-related topics addressed through Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination.

In 2016 and in collaboration with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs (now Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs) and the Minister of Status of Women (now Gender Equality and Diversity), the Department launched an independent National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (CTA 41).

In parallel to the National Inquiry, the Department has established Family Information Liaison Units (CTA 40). These help families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls gain access to all available information about their missing or murdered loved ones and helps them obtain culturally grounded and trauma-informed support and assistance.

By fall 2019, 6 of the 14 Justice-led CTAs will be well under way and 8 will be in the early planning stage.

Justice also acts as caretaker for 3 CTAs and supports partner departments on 15 others.

We are responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 30 and 38 to monitor, evaluate, and report on the progress made in addressing the issue of Indigenous peoples being overrepresented in the criminal justice system with our State of the Criminal Justice System Report and Dashboard.