Inuit Sign Historic Partnership Accord

Canada’s Inuit have signed an historic Partnership Agreement with Canada. The long awaited agreement was signed by the President of the national Inuit Association, Mr. Jose Kusugak, and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Mr. Andy Scott on Wednesday May 18, 2005.

“Inuit have been asking for such an agreement going back to the tabling of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples,” says Jose Kusugak. “Over the past four years especially, we have made repeated requests, which for the most part have been ignored. It’s due to this minister of Indian Affairs, Andy Scott, that this Agreement has been concluded over the past four days.”

The Partnership Accord is political in nature, and begins by acknowledging the constitutional recognition of Inuit as an Aboriginal people of Canada, living in Nunatsiavut (Labrador), Nunavik, Nunavut, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, and many centres in southern Canada.

It recognizes the comprehensive land claim agreements signed by Makivik Corporation, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. It notes the impending Labrador Final Agreement requiring ratification by the House of Commons. All Inuit claims when ratified are protected under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, with the Crown in right of Canada.

In preamble paragraphs, the Accord underlines the importance of the implementation of comprehensive land claims, that the honour of the Crown is at stake in all dealings with Inuit, that Inuit have contributed significantly to Canada’s history, identity, national unity and sovereignty in the Arctic.

Specifically, the Accord notes occasions in 2004 when the Crown stated its intentions to improve the standard of living for Aboriginal peoples, and improving relations. These include the February 2, 2004 Speech from the Throne, and the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable of April 19, 2004.

It acknowledges the creation of the Inuit Relations Secretariat as a focal point for the renewed relationship between Inuit and the Government of Canada.

In the Accord Inuit and the Crown agree to five principles. The first recognizes the existing constitutional rights of Inuit. Principles two and three are as follows:

2) The demographic, socio-economic and geographic realities of Inuit regions and communities will be given appropriate attention and thoughtful consideration in the design of governmental institutions responsible for the delivery of programs and services that may affect Inuit and will be taken into account in a tangible and transparent way in the design and delivery of such programs and services.

3) Appropriate financial, human resources and accountability capacity for the sustained involvement of Inuit in policy development with the Government of Canada and, where appropriate, relevant provincial and territorial governments, will be jointly developed, including those required by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to address national issues.

There are five objectives contained in the Accord. These are designed to ensure the Crown fully comprehends the nature of Inuit rights interests and aspirations in the various departments and agencies that make up the government of Canada. As well, to support Inuit communities to become self-reliant. There is a provision to assist Inuit to deal with international challenges in cooperation with the Government of Canada. As well, an objective aims to “increase public awareness and understanding of the Inuit as a distinct, unified and dynamic people.”

Six short term objectives are identified in the Accord. They include concluding a mutually agreed on work plan for the Inuit Relations Secretariat and ITK within sixty days of signing the Partnership Accord. As well, the development of “Inuit Specific policies, programs and services” in the government of Canada responsive to the specific priorities of Inuit, is a vital part of the Accord. This objective is supported by the need to develop Inuit-specific research needed for results-based policy.

The Partnership Accord foresees the negotiation of a “Government of Canada - Inuit Action Plan” to be completed by March 31, 2006, which will be appended to the Partnership Accord once completed. Implementation of this Action Plan will be monitored and evaluated by a joint steering committee comprised of two senior officials from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, and from Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. An Annual Report on activities is sought, as well as an annual meeting between the Minister of INAC and the President of ITK to discuss progress of the Government of Canada-Inuit Action Plan.
 

There are three objectives specifically relating to the Inuit Relations Secretariat. They include the role of the Secretariat as an important point of contact on Inuit matters for departments in the government of Canada. It also sets out ITK with an Inuit working group to negotiate the Government of Canada-Inuit Action Plan.

A final general objective captures the tone of the Accord:

1) The Partnership Accord is viewed by both Parties as a living document, reflecting a renewed relationship and strengthened partnership between the Government of Canada and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Duly ratified amendments to this Accord agreed to by the President and Minister shall be incorporated into this Partnership Accord. This Accord may be terminated with the consent of one or both of the Minister and the President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Signatories to the Partnership Accord are the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for the Crown, and the President of ITK, as well as the Presidents of Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivik Corporation, Labrador Inuit Association, Pauktuutit, Inuit Circumpolar Conference Canada, and the National Inuit Youth Council.