Aboriginal Peoples

7.1 Preamble

The First Nations and the Métis communities across the North continue to shape the history and economy of the area. Ontario recognizes the unique role that Aboriginal peoples have had and will continue to have in the development of the North. With 29 per cent of the Aboriginal population under the age of 15, ^{footnote 1[1]} the contributions of Aboriginal youth in particular will be vital to the North's future success.

Existing Aboriginal and treaty rights are recognized and affirmed in Canada's constitution. Ontario is committed to respecting these rights and meeting its duty to consult Aboriginal peoples, where Ontario's actions may have a potential adverse impact on an Aboriginal or treaty right, and accommodate as appropriate.

The Province is committed to working co-operatively with Aboriginal communities to build mutual understanding of each other's perspectives and priorities. This includes on-reserve Aboriginal peoples, as well as the more than half of the Aboriginal population that lives off-reserve in urban and rural communities. The Province is also committed to enhancing relationships and developing a comprehensive approach for ministries, municipalities and industry to meaningfully engage Aboriginal peoples. Ontario recognizes and respects the aspirations of Aboriginal peoples to establish effective, accountable and culturally appropriate governance structures within their communities.

Economic development in Aboriginal communities is a key element of this Plan. Aboriginal communities and the Aboriginal workforce offer unique strengths that can benefit all of Northern Ontario. Many Aboriginal communities have adopted economic development approaches that reflect a connection to the land and a focus on community benefits. There is considerable potential to integrate the economic development planning of Aboriginal communities with other regional efforts. This Plan seeks to involve Aboriginal communities and organizations in economic development, and to improve the capacity of these communities to participate in economic development planning.

This Plan also seeks to address the socio-economic gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Northern Ontario through the substantial improvement of educational attainment and health status.

The Province is committed to working closely with municipal and federal governments, and Aboriginal communities and organizations to achieve the desired outcomes of this Plan. The federal government plays a critical role in supporting education, health and other important services on First Nations reserve lands.

1 Statistics Canada. 2007 Aboriginal Population Profile. 2006 Census, released January 15, 2008. The total Aboriginal identity population includes the Aboriginal groups (North American Indian, Métis and Inuit), multiple Aboriginal responses and Aboriginal responses not included elsewhere.

7.2 Aboriginal and treaty rights

7.2.1 The Province will respect existing Aboriginal and treaty rights and Ontario will fulfill any duty to consult triggered in the implementation of this Plan.

7.2.2 The Province will develop consultation frameworks, guidelines and tools to support efforts by the Province and third parties to consult with or engage Aboriginal peoples.

7.2.3 The Province will support capacity-building for Aboriginal communities and their representative organizations to improve their ability to meaningfully participate in consultation and engagement with the Province and third parties, including through training and education regarding provincial land-use planning, resource planning, and resource development.

7.2.4 The Province will work with the federal government and others to expeditiously settle outstanding Aboriginal land claims to which Ontario is a party.

7.3 Economic development in aboriginal communities

7.3.1 The Province will work with Aboriginal communities and organizations to increase employment opportunities for Aboriginal peoples as part of the economic development strategies for existing and emerging priority economic sectors, as set out in Policies 2.2.1, 2.2.2, and 2.2.3.

7.3.2 Aboriginal communities will be involved in the development of regional economic plans, in accordance with the Policies in 4.5.

7.3.3 The Province will work with Aboriginal communities and organizations, the federal government, and others to expand opportunities for Aboriginal peoples to participate in local labour markets by:

1. increasing Ontario internships, work exchange and summer experience opportunities and awareness of these programs in Aboriginal communities
2. continuing to increase access to education, skills training and apprenticeship opportunities in rural and remote communities
3. working with Aboriginal communities to develop economic opportunities close to home while also working to provide supports for those people who relocate for training and education
4. encouraging partnerships among Aboriginal communities, postsecondary institutions, skills training providers and industry to respond to unique labour market needs.

7.3.4 The Province will support the capacity of Aboriginal communities and organizations to participate in economic development opportunities through:

1. training and support for Aboriginal economic development agencies
2. encouraging industry to continue to work with Aboriginal communities and organizations to advance local education, training and employment opportunities.

7.3.5 The Province will work to develop new approaches and mechanisms to support Aboriginal enterprises, including:

1. provincial procurement procedures that emphasize support for Aboriginal businesses
2. alternative mechanisms (including working capital and micro-capital) for Aboriginal enterprises to attain collateral and equity positions
3. removing barriers to the eligibility of various forms of Aboriginal enterprises, including social enterprises and co-operatives, to provincial government programs
4. targeted promotion of provincial programs within Aboriginal communities.

7.3.6 The Province will work with the federal government and other partners to consider the needs of Aboriginal communities when identifying infrastructure investment priorities in accordance with the Policies in 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6.

7.4 Health status and educational attainment of aboriginal peoples

7.4.1 The Province will work with Aboriginal communities and organizations, the federal government and others towards addressing the socio-economic gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Northern Ontario.

7.4.2 The Province will work with Aboriginal communities and organizations, and the federal government to establish and monitor the achievement of benchmarks, targets and indicators for education and health attainment and progress toward the achievement of Policy 7.4.1.

7.4.3 The Province will work with the federal government to facilitate the successful transition of First Nations students who are living on reserve into provincial and postsecondary education and training opportunities through one or more of the following measures:

1. transition support programs
2. increased Ontario internships
3. work exchange and summer experience opportunities for Aboriginal youth
4. development of more consistent curriculum standards.

7.4.4 Provincial health and education services for Aboriginal peoples will be delivered in culturally appropriate ways that may include:

1. increasing the number of Aboriginal teachers and support staff in the provincial school system
2. encouraging programs to bring elders into the classroom
3. including a strong focus on protecting and promoting unique Aboriginal culture, language and arts as part of educational programs
4. increasing access to community health, education and training services delivered through Aboriginal service providers
5. providing space in health care facilities for spiritual healing.

7.4.5 The Province will work with Aboriginal communities, the federal government and other partners toward restoring literacy and fluency in Aboriginal languages.

7.5 Collaboration with aboriginal communities in land-use planning

7.5.1 The Province will work with Aboriginal communities to improve their participation and knowledge sharing in existing land-use planning and policy processes throughout Northern Ontario.

7.5.2 The Province will continue to support and value community-based land-use planning undertaken by First Nations communities in the Far North, and to encourage co-ordination of planning among First Nations communities outside of the Far North, on their reserves, and municipalities.

7.5.3 Provincial planning affecting Crown land and resources will include Aboriginal communities and their representative organizations by considering:

1. available Aboriginal traditional knowledge
2. unique internal decision-making structures
3. appropriate dispute resolution approaches, processes and other methods.