OTTAWA, ON-On June 10, the leaders of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Métis National Council (MNC), Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), Indigenous Peoples' Assembly of Canada (IPAC) and Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) met with Canada's federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and confirmed a new approach in support of improving outcomes for Indigenous peoples and promoting reconciliation in Canada.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Honorable Bob McLeod, Premier of the Northwest Territories and Chair of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG), and the Honorable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

Ministers and Leaders agreed to establish the framework for a new Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous Forum (FPTIF), which will replace the AAWG, and to create a strong partnership to address the issues that are important to Indigenous peoples in Canada. 

With a new federal partner comes the opportunity to advance the vital work of reconciliation with all Canadians.

Ministers and leaders discussed a number of important issues such as:

• the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action;

• the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

• the socio-economic gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians;

• the socio-economic action plan for Aboriginal women;

• youth engagement; and,

• child and family services and Jordan's Principle.

Additionally, there was agreement to move forward on a number of areas for collaboration including:

• cooperation in the process of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls;

• action to prevent and address violence against Indigenous women and girls; and

• sharing best practices that have led to measurable results.

• The FPTIF will provide national leadership to ensure a strong future for Indigenous peoples across the country. 

Ministers and Leaders agreed to meet annually to discuss progress on these activities. Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer and Minister Carolyn Bennett agreed to co-chair the next meeting of the FPTIF.