Background Content

Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

Inuit – Crown Bilateral Meetings

March 29, 2018

During the meeting, the Prime Minister and Inuit leaders reflected on the important progress made to strengthen the Inuit-Crown relationship and to address key social, economic, cultural, and environmental issues together.

These accomplishments include:

  • Long-term funding to support housing in Nunavut and an Inuit-led housing plan in the Inuit regions of Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
  • A commitment to eliminate tuberculosis across Inuit Nunangat by 2030, and to reduce active tuberculosis by at least 50 per cent by 2025.
  • Progress on an Inuit early learning and child care framework, which would reflect the distinct needs and priorities of Inuit children and families.
  • Progress toward a new Arctic Policy Framework, including infrastructure and related needs, which will ensure that Inuit Nunangat residents and governments are at the forefront of decisions about the future of their region.

The leaders discussed how to build on the momentum of the past year to further advance important priorities and policies. The Committee agreed to keep working on the seven priorities established last year and to add environment and climate change as a new one. The focus of this new priority will be on Indigenous protected and conserved areas, the Indigenous Guardians Program, and taking action on climate change.

The leaders also acknowledged that the full implementation of the Inuit-Crown land claims agreements and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples are key components to reconciliation. In addition, the leaders committed to continue to advance language rights for Inuit as another fundamental component of reconciliation.