Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada facts for kids
Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) is a part of the Canadian government. Its main job is to work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. It also manages Canada's northern lands and territories.
CIRNAC is one of two government departments that replaced the old Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND). The other department is Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
This department is led by two government ministers: the Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, who handles things like treaty rights and land deals, and the Minister of Northern Affairs. CIRNAC's main office is in Gatineau, Quebec.
Contents
Understanding the Names
You might hear different words used to describe Indigenous peoples. Here's what they mean:
- First Nation: This term has been used since the 1970s instead of the word Indian. Many people found "Indian" to be offensive.
- Indian: This word is still used in some legal and historical documents, like the Indian Act and the Canadian Constitution. For example, a "Status Indian" is someone officially recognized under the Indian Act.
- Inuit: These are an Aboriginal people who live in Northern Canada, including Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Northern Quebec, and Northern Labrador. The word "Inuit" means 'people' in their language, Inuktitut. One person is called an "Inuk."
- Eskimo: This term is found in older documents about Canadian Inuit, but it is not used today.
- Aboriginal: This word is often used to talk about all three main groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada together: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. It's also used by Indigenous people who claim rights to their traditional lands.
What CIRNAC Does
CIRNAC helps the Canadian government meet its promises and duties to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It also carries out the government's responsibilities in the North.
The department's work is guided by many laws, agreements, and court decisions. Most of CIRNAC's programs and money are used through partnerships with Indigenous communities and agreements with provinces or territories. CIRNAC also works with Indigenous people who live in cities, Métis, and Non-Status Indians.
CIRNAC supports Indigenous peoples and Northerners in their efforts to:
- Improve their lives and create more economic opportunities.
- Build healthier, more lasting communities.
- Take a bigger part in Canada's political, social, and economic life, which benefits everyone.
CIRNAC also manages resources on federal lands, including land leases and money from resources.
A Look Back at History
The way the Canadian government works with Indigenous peoples has changed a lot over time.
Early Days of Aboriginal Affairs
In 1755, the British Crown (the government of Britain) created the British Indian Department. This department was in charge of matters related to Indigenous peoples. Later, in 1860, this responsibility was moved from the British government to the Province of Canada.
After Canada became a country in 1867, the federal government became responsible for First Nations and the Inuit. In 1876, the Indian Act was passed. This important law still guides how the federal government works with First Nations today. Around this time, many treaties were also signed between Canada and various First Nations groups.
Over the years, the responsibility for Indian Affairs and Northern Development moved between different government departments. In 1880, the Indian Affairs Department was officially created. In 1939, courts decided that the federal government's responsibilities for "Indians" also applied to the Inuit. A new version of the Indian Act was passed in 1951.
In 1966, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) was created. Later, in 2011, the department started using the name Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
Northern Development
The "Northern Development" part of the department started with the Department of the Interior in 1872. This department managed lands in Canada. After some changes, the need for services in the North led to the creation of the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources in 1953. This department later became part of DIAND in 1966.
Changes to DIAND
In August 2017, the Canadian government announced that the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) would be split into two new departments: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC). This change officially happened on July 15, 2019.
The government explained that the old department's structure was seen as "paternalistic" and "colonial." This means it was set up in a way that didn't treat Indigenous peoples as equals. The new departments aim to improve services and help Indigenous communities achieve self-government more quickly.
How CIRNAC is Organized
CIRNAC has offices in ten regions across Canada, as well as its main headquarters. These offices are divided into different areas of work, such as:
- Treaties and Indigenous government.
- Lands and economic development.
- Education and social development.
The Northern Development part of CIRNAC mainly works in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was signed in 1993 between the Inuit of the Nunavut area and the Government of Canada. This agreement led to the creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999. CIRNAC has big responsibilities for managing the lands and resources in Nunavut.
CIRNAC is also working to implement "The Nunavut Project." This project aims to increase the number of Inuit people working in Nunavut's federal and territorial public services.
See also
- Unikkausivut: Sharing Our Stories, an Inuit DVD boxset and website.
- Indian Agent (Canada)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (a similar government agency in the US)
- Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (a similar agency in Australia)
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