Support Indigenous peoples in their work to advance self-determination.

What success looks like

Indigenous peoples will have sufficient capacity and resources to work towards rebuilding and reconstituting their nations, advancing self-determination, and, for First Nations, facilitating transitions away from the *Indian Act* and toward self-government.

Government's narrative on progress

The government continues to support Indigenous peoples as they reconstitute their nations and advance self-determination and self-government. This is being accomplished through nation-level dialogues and community-level processes that are exploring the rights and priorities of Indigenous groups and working towards their implementation in ways that make sense for Indigenous communities. The Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussions allow for the co-development of flexible negotiation mandates so that key issues can be appropriately prioritized and addressed. Over 75 of these discussions are underway with Indigenous communities and over 35 preliminary agreements have been signed. The government is continuing to update policies and operational practices to better support Indigenous self-determination across the country. On February 14, 2018, the Prime Minister announced that Canada would replace the Comprehensive Land Claims Policy and Inherent Right Policy with a new policy that fully embraces section 35 of the *Constitution Act, 1982*. To date, the Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations and senior officials have held over 100 engagement sessions with close to 1700 participants. Canada will continue to engage with Indigenous peoples to replace these outdated policies. Through Budget 2018, the government also proposes to invest $51.4 million over the next two years to continue its support for federal and Indigenous participation in the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussion tables. Additionally, Budget 2018, provides $101.5 million over five years, starting in 2018–2019, to support the nation rebuilding efforts of Indigenous Peoples. The program was launched in July 2018. The strong response by Indigenous groups demonstrates their desire to engage in the rebuilding of their nations. Funding would be made available to Indigenous groups to support activities that would facilitate their own path to reconstituting their nations. Budget 2018 also invested $50 million over 5 years and $11 million on-going to strengthen the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Finance Authority and the First Nations Tax Commission. In December 2018, the amendments to the *First Nations Fiscal Management Act* received Royal Assent through Bill C-86. These amendments enable better delivery of the Act, simplified and clearer provisions, and will extend access to organizations and additional First Nations that will benefit from new socio-economic opportunities. To expand participation in First Nation Land Management by 50 First Nations, Budget 2018 invested $143.5 million over five years, beginning in 2018–2019, and $19 million per year ongoing. This funding will provide pre-readiness support and capacity development to ensure their successful participation. It will also continue to support over 150 First Nations that have already opted out, or are in the process of opting out, of the 40 lands related sections of the *Indian Act* in order to assume jurisdiction over their lands, environment, and natural resources. The Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management and the *First Nations Land Management Act* were amended in 2018 to enhance governance capacity by increasing options for First Nations to gain greater control over their lands, ratification processes and law-making, while also simplifying the entry process for future members. Through Budget 2018, the government provided $5.5 million over two years to continue the activities of the Matrimonial Real Property Implementation Support Program. This includes targeted training and awareness activities, as well as the development of dispute resolution models to respond to gaps in the administration of justice on-reserve. Funding will also support the First Nation Centre of Excellence in providing training to enhance knowledge and awareness of rights and protections available under related federal legislation and support for First Nation law-making in this area.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.