Reconciliation in Action: The Renewal of Indigenous Canada

On September 13, 2007, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) — currently the most extensive international guideline on the rights of Indigenous peoples — was adopted with a majority of 143 states. The aim of this declaration is to address the historical and present challenges faced by the Indigenous people. Moving them from the periphery in their own nation to the centre, and increasing their role in global affairs. This would be through economic, political and cultural policies.

2021, would become a significant year of major developments regarding the Indigenous people of Canada. First, a new federal holiday called Truth and Reconciliation was officially established on June 3rd 2021. This new holiday takes place on September 30th every year, dedicated to honouring Indigenous children who never returned home and survivors of the residential school system.

Second, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (the Act) officially became law on June 21, 2021. Under this Act, the Government of Canada has been directly cooperating with the Indigenous people of the nation. Third, on July 26th 2021, Mary Simon officially became the 30th Governor General of Canada and the first Indigenous person to hold this position. Whilst it is strictly a ceremonial position, the governor-general does have certain powers: approving government bills, proroguing parliament and calling general elections. This highlights how the Indigenous people of Canada are increasing their presence in Canadian Affairs: both domestically and worldwide.

According to a recent nationwide 2021 census, Indigenous people represent 5% of Canada’s total population. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of the Indigenous people grew by 9.4%, making them the fastest growing population in Canada. Additionally, 28% of the Indigenous population were under the age of 25 in 2021, making them the youngest population in Canada.

Key Definitions:

The term indigenous people in the case of Canada, is the collective name of the original people of North America and their descendants. Under the Canadian constitution, there are three recognised groups: First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

The Indian Act is a Canadian federal law that governs in matters pertaining to indigenous status, bands and lands. Throughout history, it has been highly invasive and paternalistic, as it authorises the Canadian federal government to regulate and administer in the affairs and day-to-day lives of registered Indigenous people and reserve communities.

This authority has ranged from overarching political control, such as imposing governing structures on indigenous communities in the form of band councils, to control over the rights of these people to practice their culture and traditions. The Indian Act has also enabled the government to determine the land base of these groups in the form of reserves, and even to define who can be classified as Indigenous in the form of the Indian status.

Despite the Indian Act undergoing numerous changes since it was first passed in 1876, today it largely retains its original form.

Indigenous Economy:

Figure 1 The Indigenous GDP Growth between 2012–2021 (Statistics Canada)

According to Statistics Canada, the Indigenous economy is valued at $56.1 billion in 2021 (Figure 1) . This represented 2.4% of total Canadian GDP (Gross Domestic Products) generated in 2021.

Over the past decade, Indigenous GDP increased by 57.6%, outpacing growth in the total economy (+37.6%). A closer look at Indigenous GDP by sector shows that growth in 2021 was widespread, with increases in public administration (+9.0%), construction (+14.0%), and educational services (+13.6%) making the largest contributions to overall growth.

Figure 2 — Map of Indigenous Gross Domestic Income in all provinces and territories of Canada (Statistic Canada, 2021)

Based on data from figure 2, all the provinces and territories recorded growth in Indigenous GDP in 2021. Prince Edward Island saw the largest growth in Indigenous GDP (+12.7%), followed by British Columbia (+12.6%) and the Northwest Territories (+12.4%). The lowest growth rates were seen in Saskatchewan (+6.1%), Manitoba (+7.6%) and New Brunswick (+7.8%).

The proportion of total GDP earned by Indigenous workers and Indigenous-led businesses ranged from 1.2% in Prince Edward Island to 25.9% in Nunavut. Growth in the number of jobs held by Indigenous people was also widespread in 2021, ranging from 4.9% in Saskatchewan to 9.7% in British Columbia.

Despite some of these positive trends, the Indigenous economy continues to experience some negative impacts, which hinders its potential of rapid development.

This would be regarding the Indian Act, which has resulted in limited options for Indigenous people to secure financial capital (i.e., the indigenous people are not allowed to leverage existing assets as collateral to raise funding). Especially, as high borrowing costs directly creates a barrier to equity investments. Moreover, until recently, the federal government has not been honouring its financial commitments to treaties it signed with the Indigenous people from the 19th century (1800s).

Both these factors have resulted in deep infrastructure shortfalls in Indigenous communities such as: access to clean water, housing, internet connectivity and roads. In order to overcome these challenges, Indigenous communities have prioritised investing towards energy projects, capital investment firms and infrastructure projects to secure long-term economic development.

Energy Projects — 28th September 2022: Equity Pipeline Partnership unveiled between Enbridge and 24 Indigenous communities.

• Enbridge and 23 First Nation and Métis communities today announced an agreement, whereby the communities will acquire collectively, an 11.57% non-operating interest in seven Enbridge-operated pipelines in the Athabasca region of northern Alberta for $1.12 billion.
• A newly created entity, Athabasca Indigenous Investments (Aii), will steward this investment, which represents the largest energy-related Indigenous economic partnership transaction in North America to date.
• This investment by Aii also fits well with commitments Enbridge made in its recently released Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP), building on a growing track record of engagement with Indigenous communities and employees.
• The IRAP incorporates advice into facility siting, environmental and cultural monitoring, employment, training and procurement opportunities and, most recently, financial partnerships such as the proposed Wabamun Carbon Hub.

• Pipelines included in the transaction are the Athabasca, Wood Buffalo/Athabasca Twin and associated tanks; Norlite Diluent; Waupisoo; Wood Buffalo; Woodland; and the Woodland extension. These assets are underpinned by long-life resources and long-term contracts, which provide highly predictable cash flows.

   

Capital Investment — 17th October 2024: The official launch of Cedar Leaf Capital, marks the founding of Canada’s first majority Indigenous-owned investment dealer, aimed at boosting Indigenous participation in capital markets.

• This firm is a partnership between Scotiabank, Nch’ḵay̓ Development, Des Nedhe Group, and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, received all necessary regulatory approvals since its initial announcement in February 2024.
• Led by CEO Clint Davis, an Inuk from Labrador and a Beneficiary under the Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement, Cedar Leaf Capital is rooted in Indigenous values. Davis brings over two decades of experience in financial institutions and Indigenous organisations.
• He highlighted that Cedar Leaf Capital’s clients will act as partners in shaping a more resilient financial system. Davis added that the firm’s mission includes promoting economic sovereignty and empowering Indigenous communities.
• In addition to fostering Indigenous participation, Cedar Leaf Capital will assist corporate Canada and capital market participants in fulfilling their reconciliation commitments. This partnership is intended to provide Indigenous communities with access to specialised financial advice, enhance capital-building efforts, and spur economic development.

• In the future, Cedar Leaf Capital aims to become wholly Indigenous owned, controlled, and operated. Until then, it will leverage Scotiabank’s infrastructure and enterprise frameworks to develop self-sustaining operations.

   

Infrastructure Projects — 19th February 2025: Seven Mi’kmaq First Nations in New Brunswick have taken control of their own water and wastewater systems in a new agreement signed with the federal government.

• Weso’tmk Samqwan Incorporated (WSI), a Mi’kmaw-led organisation that works to provide water and wastewater services in First Nations communities across New Brunswick, signed an agreement with Indigenous Services Canada to transfer water and wastewater management services to the organisation.
• The agreement, signed by Ward, Chief George Ginnish of Natoaganeg, the WSI directors and Tammy Drew-Howse of the Atlantic region of Indigenous Services Canada, marks a critical step forward in ensuring self-sufficiency for Mi’kmaq First Nations, said Ward.
• “We’ll have a lot more say, a lot more authority, a lot more opportunity to develop our water programs, to develop capacity, to train more people and bring more people in to learn and just take care of our own water source instead of having to rely on outside agencies,” he said.
• The fight for clean drinking water has been a major one for indigenous communities in Canada. The federal government is currently facing a national class-action lawsuit from 59 First Nations communities.

• Ginnish, board chair of North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council, which helped in the strategic planning and development of the WSI, said this agreement was years in the making.

   

Foreign Policy:

In the case of foreign policy, the Indigenous people have recently played an increasing role in Canada’s foreign policy. This would be Canada’s new policy on the Arctic and sending a delegation to attend the COP 29 summit in Azerbaijan.

Canadian Arctic Affairs — 6th December 2024: Canada will open consulates in Alaska and Greenland, appoint an Arctic ambassador and continue its boundary negotiations with the United States over the Beaufort Sea. The federal government, along with northern premiers and Indigenous organisations, announced the policy in Ottawa.

• Aside from an ambassador and new consulates, the policy promises Canada will initiate Arctic security talks with foreign affairs ministers in other northern countries, and support science and research co-ordination in the Arctic.
• The policy document also promises boundary negotiations with the U.S. over the Beaufort Sea, and finish implementing a boundary agreement between Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark over Hans Island (Tartupaluk).
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed said: he grew up “in the shadow of the militarisation of the Arctic. Too often, Indigenous peoples have been completely left behind.”
• Obed said this new policy changes that: “We are now living in a place where we can fully realise our self-determination in a nation-state.”

• Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok grew up in Grise Fiord, one of the High Arctic communities where Inuit were forcibly relocated by the federal government in the name of Arctic sovereignty. Akeeagok said: “Canada’s Arctic sovereignty arises from Inuit land use, It is our families who were sacrificed in the name of the Canadian flag.”

   

COP 29 Summit — 20th December 2024: The Assembly of First Nations sent a delegation to the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan

• Before the summit, the Assembly of First Nations, prepared a position paper titled — Embedding First Nations Climate Leadership at COP 29.
• In the position paper, The First Nations calls on Canada to leverage the First Nations Climate Lens to create space for Indigenous Peoples’ governance, rights, and knowledge systems within all areas of the UNFCCC, including the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).
• The Assembly of First nations participated in many discussions, highlighting First Nations climate leadership. This would include: the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion and Canada’s Pavilion, as well as mandated events such as the Annual Knowledge Holders Gathering, the Annual Indigenous Curricula, and the Annual Youth Roundtable.

Culture:

Despite the long lasting impact colonialism, the Indigenous people have managed to preserve their culture, such as the sport discipline of Lacrosse. As the world is increasing turning multipolar, it is imperative the Indigenous people carve out their own presence in it.

Lacrosse — 26th September 2024: The upcoming 2028 Olympic Games marks the return of a sport that was originally played by Indigenous nations. Known as “The Creator’s Game” by the Haudenosaunee, lacrosse was more than just a sport — it was a way of life, a spiritual practice and a means of settling conflicts between tribes. Having the Haudenosaunee compete on this global stage would not only acknowledge their central role in the creation of the game but also signal respect for their sovereignty.

• The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, is made up of six Indigenous nations — Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora — has governed itself independently for centuries. Whilst they’ve competed in international lacrosse tournaments for years, the Olympics would offer the most visible platform to showcase their identity and autonomy.

   

• Despite the excitement surrounding the Haudenosaunee’s Olympic aspirations, several challenges stand in the way. One of the most significant hurdles is the issue of citizenship. Many players on the Haudenosaunee teams hold passports issued by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy itself, rather than the countries they reside in — primarily the United States and Canada. However, Olympic regulations require athletes to hold passports from internationally recognised states, which the Haudenosaunee do not, under current standards.

   

• Another challenge is gaining full recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which traditionally only recognises sovereign states. Although the Haudenosaunee have competed in numerous lacrosse tournaments as an independent team — including the World Lacrosse Championships — they will need formal approval from the IOC to participate in the 2028 Olympics.

   

• It is important to highlight, there are precedents for non-sovereign nations competing in the Olympics. For instance, the Puerto Rico team competes separately from Team USA or the Hong Kong team competing separately from China, are both allowed to participate under special arrangements. This could be the potential model for the Haudenosaunee, should the IOC choose to make an exception.

Critique:

Based on all three topics covered in the case of Indigenous Canada: indigenous economy, foreign policy and culture, each section has highlighted how the indigenous people are now officially moving from the periphery to the centre of Canadian affairs, both domestic and global. This also marks how despite both historical and present-day challenges; the Indigenous people have managed to establish their presence firmly in the multipolar world.