The Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
Mandate
The mandate of the Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation is derived from the following legislation:
- Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
- Advance the social and economic aspirations of Indigenous people in the province;
- Work collaboratively with Indigenous people to ensure programs, policies and services are culturally meaningful and appropriate, and reflect their unique needs;
- Coordinate, develop and deliver policies relating to Indigenous issues
- Administer, and ensure the discharge of, any Aboriginal Duty to Consult which may rest upon the Provincial Government;
- Work with provincial Indigenous governments and organizations respecting Indigenous issues;
- Work with the Federal Government and National Indigenous Organizations as required respecting Indigenous issues; and,
- Negotiate and ensure the implementation of land claims, self-government and other agreements related to Indigenous issues.
Lines of Business
Indigenous Policy, Planning and Support
The Office aims to ensure that provincial policies, programs and services are developed and delivered in a manner that is culturally meaningful and appropriate for Indigenous peoples in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is accomplished primarily through the provision of advice and support to provincial departments and agencies and participation in provincial horizontal initiatives.
Land Claims, Self-Government and Other Agreements
The Office represents the province in any tripartite negotiations amongst the Provincial Government, Federal Government and Indigenous Governments and Organizations towards land claims, self-government, devolution and other agreements. The Office is responsible for coordinating government departments’ implementation and management of their respective obligations under any such agreements.
Indigenous Consultation
The Office provides leadership and advice with respect to any duty to consult Indigenous governments and organizations that may be owed by the Provincial Crown. Principles of Aboriginal Consultation are set out in the publicly available Aboriginal Consultation Policy on Land and Resource Development Decisions.
Coordination, Collaboration and Advocacy
The Office collaborates with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, Provincial Government departments/entities, the federal government and industry organizations to advance the economic and social aspirations of Indigenous people. The Office also participates in inter-jurisdictional working groups and committees, including with National Indigenous Organizations, to advance Indigenous interests.
The Office urges the Federal Government to more fully discharge its Constitutional responsibility to all Indigenous people in the province, in particular by providing all Indigenous people access to all Indigenous federal programs and services.