Ministry of Indigenous Affairs (Ontario) facts for kids

The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation (IAFNER) is an important government office in Ontario, Canada. It works with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in the province. The person in charge is called the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. This minister is part of the Executive Council of Ontario, which is like the Premier's main team of advisors.

Working with Indigenous Peoples

This ministry helps the Ontario government build strong relationships with Indigenous communities. It makes sure that the government understands and respects Indigenous cultures and needs. The ministry also helps Indigenous people get access to government programs and services.

What the Ministry Does

The main goals of the ministry are:

• To work together with other government departments on policies and programs for Indigenous peoples.
• To set goals and track progress for Ontario's plans with Indigenous communities.
• To help the government learn more about Indigenous peoples and how to work with them.
• To work with the Canadian federal government to make the best use of money for Indigenous programs.
• To help Indigenous people find and use Ontario government services.
• To improve how land claims are handled to fix past issues.
• To encourage more Indigenous people to work for the Ontario government.

Key Priorities

The ministry focuses on four main areas:

• Building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.
• Improving living conditions for Indigenous peoples.
• Creating economic opportunities and lasting success.
• Settling land claims and working towards reconciliation.

History of the Ministry

The government's focus on Indigenous issues has changed over time.

Early Efforts (1980s-2000s)

From 1981 to 1985, issues affecting Indigenous peoples were mainly handled by the Attorney General (Ontario's chief lawyer). In 1985, for the first time, a special minister was chosen to focus on "native affairs."

In 1987, a group called the Ontario Native Affairs Directorate was created. It later became the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat in 1991. This group supported the minister. In 2006, its name changed to the Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat.

Becoming a Ministry

In June 2007, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs was officially created. This showed that Indigenous issues were becoming a bigger focus for the government.

In 2016, the ministry's name changed to the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. This change was part of Ontario's response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's report from 2015. That report aimed to address the harms caused by residential schools.

In 2018, the name was shortened to the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. Most recently, in June 2024, it became the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. This new name highlights the importance of economic partnerships.

Land Claims and Agreements

The ministry plays a key role in negotiating land claims in Ontario. Land claims are about old agreements or traditional lands that were never formally given up by Indigenous peoples.

How Land Claims Work

The Ontario government works with the Canadian federal government and First Nations to discuss these claims. They try to reach agreements that are fair to everyone. These agreements are then shared with the public.

One important negotiation is happening with the Algonquins of Ontario First Nation (AOO). They are discussing a large area of land in eastern Ontario, about 36,000 square kilometers. The Algonquins say this land was never given up. A basic agreement was reached in 2016, and discussions continue.

How the Ministry is Organized

The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation has several teams that help it do its work:

• Minister's Office
• Deputy Minister's Office
• Negotiations and Reconciliation Division
• Indigenous Relations and Programs Division
• Strategic Policy and Planning Division
• Legal Services Branch
• Communications Branch
• Corporate Management Division

List of Ministers

This table shows the people who have been in charge of Indigenous affairs in Ontario.

	Portrait	Name	Term of office		Tenure	Political party Ministry	Note
	Minister Responsible for Native Affairs
		Ian Scott	June 26, 1985	October 1, 1990	5 years, 97 days	Liberal (Peterson)	Also served as Attorney General.
		Bud Wildman	October 1, 1990	February 3, 1993	2 years, 125 days	NDP (Rae)	Also served as Minister of Natural Resources.
		Howard Hampton	February 3, 1993	June 26, 1995	2 years, 143 days		Also served as Minister of Natural Resources.
		Charles Harnick	June 26, 1995	June 17, 1999	3 years, 356 days	PC (Harris)	Also served as Attorney General.
		Jim Flaherty	June 17, 1999	February 8, 2001	1 year, 236 days		Also served as Attorney General.
		David Young	February 8, 2001	February 25, 2003	2 years, 17 days		Also served as Attorney General.
		Norm Sterling	February 25, 2003	October 22, 2003	239 days	PC (Eves)	Also served as Attorney General.
		Michael Bryant	October 23, 2003	June 29, 2005	1 year, 249 days (first time)	Liberal (McGuinty)	Also served as Attorney General.
	Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs
		David Ramsay	June 29, 2005	June 21, 2007	2 years, 123 days		Also served as Minister of Natural Resources.
	Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
		David Ramsay	June 21, 2007	October 30, 2007			Also served as Minister of Natural Resources.
		Michael Bryant	October 30, 2007	September 18, 2008	324 days (second time) (2 years, 209 days in total)		Also served as Government House Leader.
		Brad Duguid	September 18, 2008	January 18, 2010	1 year, 122 days
		Chris Bentley	January 18, 2010	October 20, 2011	1 year, 275 days (first time)		Also served as Attorney General.
		Kathleen Wynne	October 20, 2011	November 5, 2012	1 year, 16 days		Also served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
		Chris Bentley	November 5, 2012	February 11, 2013	98 days (second time) (2 years, 8 days in total)		Interim minister. Also served as Minister of Energy.
		David Zimmer	February 11, 2013	June 13, 2016	5 years, 137 days	Liberal (Wynne)
	Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
		David Zimmer	June 13, 2016	June 28, 2018
	Minister of Indigenous Affairs
		Greg Rickford	June 29, 2018	present	6 years, 358 days	PC (Ford)	Also served as Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.

Related Links

• Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation [1]
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada - Canadian federal government branch

Images for kids

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  Howard Hampton, a former Minister responsible for Native Affairs.

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  Charles Harnick, a former Attorney General and Minister responsible for Native Affairs.

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  Jim Flaherty, a former Attorney General and Minister responsible for Native Affairs.

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  Brad Duguid, a former Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

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  Kathleen Wynne, a former Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Premier of Ontario.

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  David Zimmer, a former Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

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  Greg Rickford, the current Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation.