Engaging on Additions to Reserve Policy Redesign
The Government of Canada is engaging with First Nations interested in participating in the redesign of the Additions to Reserve Policy.
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Preliminary engagement: what we heard
From January 2022 to March 2023, the Government of Canada focused on preliminary engagement discussions with First Nations, Chiefs and Council, nation based collectives, national and regional Indigenous organizations to seek direction on meaningful engagement for the Additions to Reserve (ATR) Policy redesign. These discussions prioritized relationship building, trust and transparency and created space for the meaningful development of shared visions.
As engagement continues, roadblocks are being identified as well as potential solutions. First Nations have already provided insight to the challenges they face while attempting to set lands apart as reserve. The themes identified include:
- meaningful engagement on the ATR Policy redesign
- transparency and communication
- ATR process delays and concerns
- limiting policy and process requirements
- urban reserves and economic development
Read the What We Heard Report.
Literature review
Crown-Indigenous Relations Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) undertook an extensive literature review of 30 reports, case studies and actions plans for issues previously raised on Additions to Reserves, Treaty Land Entitlement Land Management, and Indigenous economic development. Almost half of the reports were advanced by First Nations and Indigenous organizations. During the review, 180 recommendations were identified where changes were needed and categorized into 6 common themes. These themes include:
- Policy, Legislation and other Authorities
- Directives, Process and Procedure
- Strategic Planning, Administration and Operation
- Capacity Support and Resource Planning
- Communication and Relationship-building
- Oversight and Reporting
Each theme includes a summary of the challenges and the recommendations that were included in the literature. Should you wish to be provided a copy of the Additions to Reserve Reports – Summary of Analysis and Findings, please contact the Additions to Reserve Policy Redesign Unit.
Call for proposals
As part of First Nation-led development of a redesigned policy, Crown-Indigenous Relations Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) launched a call for proposals in March 2023, inviting First Nations and Indigenous organizations to submit funding proposals that would support First Nations-led engagement to identify considerations and recommendations that will contribute to a co-developed policy.
The interest was overwhelming as CIRNAC received proposals from many individual First Nations, Tribal Councils, regional Indigenous organizations and national organizations. 58 proposals were approved for funding, providing over $3.9 million in engagement activity funding.
Below is the list of First Nations and First Nation organizations who are funded:
National
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| Land Advisory Board and Resource Centre (LABRC) | LABRC is using a portion of their annual funding for engagement and did not receive specific additional funding. |
| National Aboriginal Land Managers Association (NALMA) | $218,900 |
Alberta
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| Bloodtribe - Kainaiwa Specific Claims Trust No. 1 and 2 | $40,000 |
| Enoch Cree Nation | $40,000 |
| Fort McKay First Nation | $32,120 |
| Loon River First Nation | $40,000 |
| Samson Cree Nation | $33,990 |
Atlantic
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| Lennox Island First Nation | $33,000 |
| Membertou | $40,000 |
| Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. (MTI) | $175,000 |
| Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skuitk | $40,000 |
| The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM) | $114,491 |
| Wolastoqey Nation | $130,640 |
British Columbia
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| Cowichan Tribes | $40,000 |
| Esquimalt Nation - 644 | $40,000 |
| K'omoks First Nations | $38,500 |
| Mamalilikulla First Nation | $40,000 |
| Old Massett Village Council | $148,500 |
| Seabird Island Band | $40,000 |
| Quatsino First Nation | $40,000 |
| Tahltan Band Council | $40,000 |
| Takla Nation | $39,910 |
| Tsartlip First Nation | $40,000 |
| Tseshaht First Nation | $40,000 |
Manitoba
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| Dauphin River First Nation | $40,000 |
| Long Plain First Nation | $29,000 |
| Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) | $153,450 |
| Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation | $37,360 |
| Norway House Cree Nation | $40,000 |
| Skownan First Nation | $30,360 |
| Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) | $175,000 |
| Tataskweyak Cree Nation | $40,000 |
Ontario
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| Alderville First Nation | $32,976 |
| Anishinabek Nation | $175,000 |
| Biigtigong Nishnaabeg | $27,500 |
| Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek | $17,487 |
| Chiefs of Ontario (CoO) | $175,000 |
| Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation | $38,500 |
| Long Lake #58 First Nation | $40,000 |
| Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation | $33,000 |
| Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte | $40,000 |
| Nishnawbe Aski Nation | $175,000 |
| Pays Plat First Nation | $40,000 |
| Six Nations of the Grand River | $40,000 |
| United Chiefs and Councils of Mndioo Mnising (UCCMM) | $175,000 |
| Wasauksing First Nation | $39,014 |
| Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve | $31,900 |
Saskatchewan
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| English River First Nation | $40,000 |
| Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) | $175,000 |
| James Smith Cree Nation | $33,000 |
| Kahkewistahaw First Nation #72 | $110,000 |
| Lac La Ronge Indian Band | $36,300 |
| Meadow Lake Tribal Council | $174,706 |
| Onion Lake Cree Nation | $40,000 |
| Pelican Lake First Nation | $40,000 |
Quebec
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| First Nation Lands Managers Association of Québec and Labrador (FNLMAQL) | $155,580 |
| Mohawks of Akwesasne | $40,000 |
Yukon Territory
| Funding applicant | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| White River First Nation | $39,109 |
The call for proposals closed May 19, 2023. If you did not submit a proposal or did not receive funding, but would like to share your expertise and contribute to the discussion, please contact Additions to Reserve Policy Redesign Unit.
Engagement
From April 1, 2023 to July 10, 2024, CIRNAC participated in 180 engagement discussions about how the Additions to Reserve Policy can be more a more effective and efficient instrument for adding land to reserves. These engagements included discussions and meetings with:
- 45 First Nations
- 37 national First Nation organizations
- 43 regional First Nation organizations
- 9 provinces
- 7 other government departments and internal partners
Many of these engagement discussions were supported through the funding made available from the call for proposals. First Nation-led engagement ensures the Additions to Reserve Policy redesign is informed by lived experiences in alignment with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
CIRNAC is thankful for the contributions that First Nation partners have made towards the Policy redesign and look forward to continuing dialogue during ongoing engagement.
Guiding principles for Additions to Reserve Policy redesign
The Government of Canada has developed a set of principles to guide the process of redesigning the federal Additions to Reserve Policy. The principles were developed based on the review and analysis of past literature as well as what was heard during preliminary engagement with First Nations. First Nations' input through the engagement process will inform what the final guiding principles will be for the redesigned policy co-development. The final policy principles may end up being very different.
The Government of Canada's long-term objective for the policy redesign is to provide direction and guidance on the process for the timely, effective and efficient addition of lands to First Nations reserves driven by the input provided by First Nations. It is recognized that for effective implementation of this policy, the required capacity and resources will need to be provided and maintained for both First Nations and the Government of Canada, as well as making tools available to provincial, territorial and municipal governments.
The current draft principles for the redesign process are:
Principle 1: This policy adheres to the spirit and intent of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and aims to help fulfill the Declaration's implementation.
Principle 2: This policy provides guidance on the effective implementation to advance economic, social and cultural reconciliation between First Nations and the Crown.
Principle 3: Meeting the needs of First Nations in a timely fashion will be the primary driver in implementing this policy.
Principle 4: This policy provides guidance so that opportunities aren't missed due to avoidable delays in the process.
Principle 5: This policy is based on shared accountability between the Government of Canada, First Nations, provincial/territorial governments and holders of third-party interests. The federal government will advance its areas of responsibility to the best of its ability.
Principle 6: The implementation of this policy is flexible in order to accommodate and respect the diverse governance structures, jurisdictions and capacities of First Nations
Principle 7: A foundation for this policy is the recognition that risk will be different for different parties, and whereby the risk for the federal government will not override overall decision-making.
Principle 8: This policy is based on transparency and clarity, where comprehensive information will be shared in a timely fashion, where possible.
Principle 9: It is recognized that disputes will arise and that effective and culturally informed mechanisms for their timely resolution may be required.
For further information or to provide comments and feedback, please send an email to the Additions to Reserve Policy Redesign Unit.
Next Steps
After engagement activities are complete, the next phase of the Additions to Reserve redesign will focus on validating policy options, considerations and recommendations in consultation and cooperation with First Nation partners. This next phase includes opportunities for broader engagement with provinces, territories and industry.