In November 2006 - INAC Alberta Region met with the Grand Chiefs from Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 seeking support of an initiative created by former Minister of Indian Affairs, Jim Prentice. 

Minister Prentice identified 5 priority areas to create partnership with Alberta, INAC and the First Nations identified as "Intergovernmental Initiatives" The five priority areas - Intergovernmental Initiatives (IGI) 

1. Child and Family Services

2. Water 

3. Housing

4. Education

5. Skills Development

The Treaty 6, 7, and 8 Grand Chiefs supported the initiative and as a result INAC provided funding to the Three PTO's to host think tank sessions on four priority areas, Water, Housing, Education, and Skills Development. Sessions were completed in the 2006/07 fiscal year and a report was presented to the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs in May 2007, at which time INAC committed to fund the IGO initiative to continue activities into the 2007/08 fiscal year. 

In 2007/08 the Chiefs in each Treaty Area appointed Technicians from the First Nations and/or Tribal Councils to sit on subcommittees in each of the five IGO initiatives to begin formalizing the Action Plans Developed from the Think Tank sessions. 
 

2008-2009 - Current Activities
 

1. Child and Family Services (CFS)
Of the five priority areas, CFS was initiated prior to the creation of the IGO initiatives. A tripartie working group of Alberta, INAC, and First Nation CFS directors strategized t implement early intervention and prevention, as well as, child protection services on reserve - the "Enhancement Framework". in May 2007 the Alberta Chiefs in Assembly passed a resolution for an MOU with Canada on CFS. Canada would not sign the MOU. As of today, the MOU on CFS has not been revived. 

 

2. Water
The subcommittees techs for Water drafted an MOU on Water and presented the draft to INAC, Alberta Region. INAC responded that they specifically wanted to draft an MOU on "Safe Drinking Water" a second MOU was drafted and presented to INAC in December 2006. In September 2007 INAC finally responded to the draft and have asked for a follow-up meeting with the respective PTO Subcommittees. The follow-up meeting with the representatives from INAC Ottawa & Alberta is scheduled for November 2008. 

 

3. Housing
No activity in this priority area at this time. 

 

4. Education K-12
No activity in this priority area at this time. 

 

5. Skills Development
This is the most active IGO initiative. The Subcommittees technicians from the three Treaty areas met on numerous occasions over the past two fiscal years. INAC -Ottawa and Alberta - Employment & Immigration established a Ministerial Working Group (MWG), which includes representatives from Alberta and the three Treaty areas. The MWG is a short term group, and have held two meetings so far with a final meeting scheduled for the end of October 2008. 

The MWG successfully initiated pilot projects, including the creation on an employment Connections Team to provide support to the ARHDA, Income Support and Other First Nations Client Based services. 

For the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the Skills Development Subcommittees will co-host a conference for the First Nations to Service Delivery programs. 'the conference will include presentations from Federal, Provincial and industry to provide information on services, programs and funds available for First Nations to increase labour market participation and showcase Best Practices. 


The Subcommittees technicians drafted the following proposed mandate: 

"TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION AMOUNG FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE OF ALBERTA" 

"TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION WITH INAC, AHRDA, HUMAN RESOURCES SOCIAL DEVELPOMENT (SERVICE) CANADA, ALBERTA EMPLOYMENT, IMMIGRATION, & INDUSTRY, HEALTH CANADA, EMPLOYERS, LEARNING PROVIDERS AND ANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OR SERVICE DELIVERY OR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ENHANCE AND INCREASE THE ACTIVE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION OF FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE OF ALBERTA." 

 

Department Contact Information:

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Intergovernmental Policy Analyst: Laurie Buffalo

Email: lbuffalo@treatysix.org