Background Content

Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

New Fiscal Relationship: “Honouring Our Ancestors by Trailblazing a Path to the Future”

September 19, 2019

Joint Advisory Committee on Fiscal Relations (JACFR) presented their interim report,”Honouring Our Ancestors by Trailblazing a Path to the Future“, to the National Chief and Minister of Indigenous Services Canada in June 2019. Consistent with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) resolution 24/2019, the JACFR, the AFN and ISC will engage extensively with First Nations on the report over the coming months and report back on their findings to Chiefs-in-Assembly at the AFN Annual General Assembly in July 2020.

This report describes a structure that empowers First Nation governments to resume their rightful place in governing their citizens. That begins with the full recognition and affirmation of inherent and Treaty rights, title and jurisdiction, and that will require the federal and provincial Crown to act with the honour, respect and urgency demanded by such foundational change. Consistent with this view, the Committee highlights that no actions, legislation, policy changes or agreements can in any way abrogate or derogate from any of First Nations’ inherent and Treaty rights, title or jurisdiction.

“Honouring Our Ancestors” presents 24 recommendations.
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-ISC-SAC/DAM-FISREL/STAGING/texte-text/int_report_joint_advisory_com_june2019_1561660404814_eng.pdf