Congress of Aboriginal Peoples


	CAP/Federal Accord

A Political Accord has been in place with the Federal Government since 1994 and recently renewed. The agreement establishes an ongoing consultation process to address matters listed under a priority agenda and the four themes set out in "Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan" - a. Renewing the Partnership: b. Strengthening Aboriginal Governance: c. Developing a New Fiscal Relationship: d.Supporting Strong Communities, People and Economies.

TEXT OF A POLITICAL ACCORD

Beween

THE CONGRES5 OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES ("THE CONGRESS") as represented by the President

and

HER MAESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA ("CANADA"), as represented by the Federal Interlocutor for Meds and Non-Satus Indians and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northem Development.

WHEREAS:

A. Canada and The Congress entered ino a Political Accord on February 28, 1994 and wish to renew the consultation process established therein and strengthen their partnership as set out in "Creating Opportunity, "Securing Our Future Together" and "Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan", with a plan to achieve these commitrnents and future undertakings by Canada directed to Aboriginal peoples;

B. A special relationship exists between the Government of Canada and the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, and the Parliament of Canada has legislative authority respecting "Indians, and Lands reserved for the Indians" under section 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867; and

C. The Congress represents the collective and individual interests of its Aboriginal constituency and seeks to achieve equity of access, regardless of residence or status, to initiatives sponsored in "Creating Opportunity', "Securing Our Future Togeher" and 'Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan" as well as future initiatives by Canada direced to Aboriginal peoples.

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1.0 CONSULTATION PROCESS

I . I The Parties agree to renew the consultation process agreed to in the Political Accord signed on February 28, 1994 and to mainain two primary fora comprised of:

(a) A General Forum in which The Congress and the Federal Interlocutor for Metiss and Non-Status Indians, together wih other involved Ministers, address those matters listed at clause 2.1 and as established by agreement beween the Parties from time to time, and

(b) A Special Forum between The Congress and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to address those matters listed at clause 2.1 that fall within the mandate of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northem Development (DIAND) and as established by agreement between the Parties from dme to time.

1.2 The Parties agree that this Political Accord supersedes the Protocol for Bilateral Discussions signed by the President of the Native Council of Canada (now The Congress) and the Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians on March 9, 1993.

2.0 PRIORITY AGENDA:

2.1 The priority agenda for discussions in the General Forum and the Special Forum support the following four themes setr out in "Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan":

(a) Renewing the Partnerships:

(i) lmplementation of the inherent right of self-government as it relates to off-reserve Aboriginal people;
(ii) Language, heritage and culture;
( iii) Hea1ing strategy
(iv) Urban Aboriginal issues;
(v) Proposed amendments to the Indian Act that may affect the constituency of The Congress; and
(vi) Departmental and institutional arrangements that could improve existing arrangements.

(b) Strengthening Aboriginal Governance:

(i) Enumeration of Metis as it relates to the constituency of The Congress;
(ii) Aboriginal justice issues;
(iii) Aboriginal Governance Resource Centres; and
(iv) Collaboration to develop accountable and sustainable governments and institutions in a modern world to reconcile the political, social, cultural and economic interests of Aboriginal people on- and off-reserves.

(i) Multi-year funding arrangements and harmonized federal fiscal reporting requirements.

(d) Supporting Strong Communities, People and Economies:

(i) Aboriginal housing and related infrastructure needs and initiatives;
(ii) Aboriginal Health Institute and other Aboriginal health initiatives;
(iii) Multi-purpose Urban Youth Centres; and
(iv) Aboriginal youth initiatives.

3.0 IMPLIMENTATION

3.1 Upon the signing of this Politicl Accord, the Parties agree to initiate discussions immediately on work plans and funding arrangements related to the implementation of this Political Accord.

3.2 The Parties agree to name lead representatives to oversee the conduct of bilateral discussions in each Forum and the implementation of this Political Accord.

3.3 The Parties agee to convene meetings at the officials level as required. The General Forum and the Special Fonm will be convened as required and at least once a year.

3.4 Subject to clause 1.2, the Parties agree that this Political Accord shall not preclude and shall be without prejudice to any other bilateral, tripartite or multi-lateral disaisions in place with The Congress or any of its afflliates.

Signed at Ottawa this sixteenth day of June, 1998.