Indigenous Services Canada – ISC has launched national distinctions-based working groups with Indigenous, provincial and territorial partners to co-develop data and reporting strategies. These new strategies should:

• increase data collection and reporting between jurisdictions
• help better understand ways to reduce the number of Indigenous children and youth in care

The Inuit data strategy working group includes representatives from:

• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
• Inuit land claim organizations
• Inuit women’s and youth groups
• every territory and many provinces

As of February 2021, the working group has compiled an inventory of types and sources of data about Inuit children across Canada. Through the co-development process, gaps are being identified and consistency is being created in collecting, sharing and reporting relevant data across all jurisdictions.
In March 2021, the Métis National Council organized the Métis Nation Workshop: Collaborating to Strengthen Métis Nation Data and Data Systems. ISC was invited to discuss the co-development of new data strategies focused on children. In May 2021, the Métis Nation data strategy working group was created. It included representatives from the Métis National Council and all 5 Métis Nation governing members.
As of fall 2021, there are plans to create a data sub-table of the Joint National Working Group, which was established under the 2020 protocol agreement with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). The protocol reflects a 3-year commitment by Canada to work with the AFN and First Nations to outline a distinctions-based approach when implementing An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the act).
ISC is also working to:

• support partners in implementing aspects of the act related to data
• provide research and coordination to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action
• understand and support the new data and information-sharing needs created by Indigenous community-driven models for child and family services
• find, help organize and use data-focused pilot projects to share lessons learned and best practices with partners and stakeholders

ISC is following a co-development process that respects Indigenous data sovereignty.