2023-24 Reporting on the Calls for Justice: 17.1 - 17.29: Métis Specific Calls

The first cycle of the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces, which collected self-reported information on experiences of gender-based violence in Canada, was conducted in 2018.

Between August and October 2022, Women and Gender Equality Canada and Statistics Canada engaged with over 100 stakeholders – including survivors, academics, researchers and community-based organizations serving people who have experienced violence – to obtain feedback to inform improvements for the second cycle of the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces.

Information from these consultations, as well as findings from research using the first cycle of data, led to the decision to increase the overall sample size from 104,000 to 150,000. Specifically, there will be oversampling of the following populations: Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), gender minorities (non-binary and transgender) and youth (aged 15 to 24). The goal of this oversampling is to facilitate increased disaggregation and intersectional analysis, including distinction-based reporting of Indigenous peoples, such as Métis, and allow for additional data disaggregation for youth and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Data collection for the second cycle of the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces will be over several months between 2024 and 2025 and findings will be reported in 2026.

The Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces fills important data and knowledge gaps on the self-reported experiences of gender-based violence in Canada. Generally, victimization is not reported to the police very often, and for Indigenous women, the issue of reporting is complex and may be impacted by the mistrust in police and criminal justice systems (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 2015). In addition, Indigenous women may face unique barriers to reporting experiences of violent victimization or seeking help following victimization, including a lack of access to culturally appropriate resources, inaccessibility of support services, a general distrust of law enforcement, and perceived lack of confidentiality in the justice system (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 2015). Thus by surveying personal experiences, the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces compliments police-reported data to foster a better understanding of the nature and extent of victimization, perceptions of safety, and attitudes toward the criminal justice system.

The data from the survey provides valuable information on the experiences of gender-based violence among different populations, including Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Results from the 2018 survey confirmed that Indigenous women are overrepresented in lifetime experiences of gender-based violence. Survey results enable researchers, policymakers, service providers and other stakeholders to develop evidence-based policies and programmes that will respond to the issues that were raised by respondents. Results are also used to increase public awareness of this issue and are useful in the development of indicators to track progress and monitor trends in Canada.

A specific example of a distinctions-based approach using the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces can be found in a 2022 Statistics Canada report that examined the prevalence of violent victimization and perceptions of safety among First Nations, Métis and Inuit women in Canada (Victimization of First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada (Statistics Canada)). The findings showed that Indigenous women are overrepresented as victims of violence, with more than 6 in 10 (63%) having experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, compared with non-Indigenous women (45%). Where possible, results were provided specifically regarding Métis women. For example, Métis women are overrepresented as victims of childhood violence and maltreatment by an adult before the age of 15. About 4 in 10 Métis women reported physical or sexual assault by an adult during childhood, and about 3 in 10 Métis women reported physical abuse by an adult before they age of 15. Additionally, about 2 in 10 Métis women reported experiencing sexual abuse during childhood. The proportion of Métis women who had ever been under the legal responsibility of the government was over three times higher than for non-Indigenous women. Being under this type of care was related to a greater likelihood of lifetime violent victimization. About 8 in 10 Indigenous women who were ever under legal responsibility of the government experienced lifetime victimization. Additionally, as adults, two-thirds (65%) of Métis women have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime. Almost half (48%) of Métis women have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, and about 55% of Métis women have experienced violent victimization by a non-intimate partner.

Lead Department: Statistics Canada; Women and Gender Equality Canada
Funding Amount: $12.5 million over 3 years from 2023-24 to 2025-26
Funding Source: Budget 2017 (GBV Research)
Partners: Indigenous organizations and researchers
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 16.44

The purpose of this initiative is to respond to a demand for data on the Indigenous identity of accused and victims in police-reported criminal incidents to inform questions of over-representation, inequity and systemic bias in policing.

On July 15, 2020, a joint announcement was made by Statistics Canada and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police committing to working collaboratively on the collection of Indigenous and racialized identity data of all accused and victims of criminal incidents through the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey. The announcement was in response to increasing demands for better disaggregated data that would speak to the disparate treatment and overrepresentation of Indigenous and racialized persons in the Canadian criminal justice system. A lack of national-level data has made it difficult to assess the extent of these issues accurately and to develop effective solutions.

From July 2021 to February 2022, Statistics Canada conducted a first phase of engagements. This feedback led to Statistics Canada publishing a draft report and recommendations in September 2022 to guide the next phases of the initiative.

From July 2022 to January 2024, Statistics Canada conducted a second phase of engagements with various partners with diverse perspectives, including community organizations, academics, police services, police associations and other parties of interest at the national, provincial or territorial, municipal, and local government levels. Of the 785 organizations contacted, 131 participated. These engagements sought input on:

• operational needs, concerns and issues
• guidelines on how to best collect Indigenous and racialized information
• guidelines on when it is appropriate to collect Indigenous and racialized information
• ways to develop the standards and guidelines
• provincial legislation and privacy acts that may affect Indigenous and racialized identity data collection
• the use of data after collection.

This information is the basis for work of a new Special Purpose Committee under the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police that was launched to guide the operationalization of the data collection. The deliverables include the development of guidelines for police around key themes related to data collection and reporting: legislation/regulations; community engagement and outreach; training/education/awareness; data standards (systems); data use, analysis and dissemination.

Guidelines are planned for release in 2024-25.On July 24, 2023, Statistics Canada published an interim status report to share the progress of the initiative.

Lead Department: Statistics Canada
Funding Amount: $500,000
Funding Source: Disaggregated Data Action Plan
Partners: Police; Indigenous organizations
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 5.24, 17.2

2SLGBTQI+ people by developing quantitative distinctions-based indicators, addressing methodological gaps, or working to define safety through Indigenous ways of understanding.

In 2021-22, the MMIWG Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Secretariat held a Call for Proposals for the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program, and subsequently provided funding for 17 multi-year projects, some going until 2026-27. In 2023-24, the MMIWG Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Secretariat is funding 19 projects from the 2021-22 Call for Proposals. The total funding contribution to this important work totaled $1.880 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Lead Department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Funding Amount: $8.5 million over 6 years
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Funding recipients
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Other Related Calls for Justice: 5.24, 16.44, 17.2, 18.4

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act) and the ongoing efforts to implement the Act contribute to addressing Call for Justice 17.3. The Act affirms the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services and provides for a framework under which Indigenous peoples can choose their own solutions for their children and families.

As part of the implementation of the Act, a unique, holistic, and community-driven process has been put in place for groups, communities, or peoples to move towards the development of laws and exercise of jurisdiction. This process has included:

• Distinctions-based governance engagement mechanisms
• Funding to support building capacity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis to develop their own visions;
• Establishing tripartite coordination agreement discussion tables; and
• Committing to fiscal arrangements that are sustainable, needs-based and consistent with the principle of substantive equality.

Since the Act came into force on January 1, 2020 and up to March 31, 2024:

• Indigenous Services Canada approved approximately $4.6 million in capacity-building funding for two Métis Indigenous governing bodies preparing to exercise jurisdiction via the framework of the Act and one Métis National Indigenous Organization advancing culturally appropriate reform of child and family services.
• Indigenous Services Canada received one notice to exercise jurisdiction and one request to enter into a coordination agreement from two Métis Indigenous governing bodies pursuant to section 20 of the Act.
• Although no coordination agreements were reached with Métis Indigenous governing bodies and no Métis child and family services laws came into force under the framework of the Act as of yet, there has been one active Métis coordination agreement discussion table.

In 2023-24, Indigenous Services Canada was actively engaged in discussions with the Manitoba Métis Federation to establish agreements to support the implementation of child and family services models tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. These discussions encompass various aspects, including financial arrangements, to ensure that the agreements adequately support the priorities and objectives of Métis groups.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: Economic and Fiscal Snapshot: $542 million over five years; Budget 2021: $73.6 million over four years; Budget 2022: $87.3 million over three to five years; Various funding sources: $1.29 billion - Funding allocated for various term lengths (up to ten years) starting over different fiscal years; Budget 2024: $1.8 billion over eleven years
Funding Source: Various
Partners: National Indigenous Organizations; Regional Indigenous Organizations; Indigenous, Federal, provincial and territorial governments; and First Nation, Inuit and Métis Indigenous governing bodies
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 29, 34, 36
Related Calls for Justice: 1.2 v, 1.3, 2.2 ii, 2.3, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.10, 12.11, 12.14, 16.14, 16.16, 16.17, 16.18, 17.4, 17.16, 17.17, 17.18

The Government of Canada has made significant recent investments to improve mental wellness in Indigenous communities, with Budget 2021 and 2022 investmetns contributing to an annual investment of approximately $650 million in 2023-24. These investments respond to Call for Justice 17.4 as they are made to meet the immediate mental wellness needs of communities by supporting Indigenous-led suicide prevention, life promotion and crisis response, including through crisis line intervention services, enhancing the delivery of culturally appropriate substance use treatment and prevention services in Indigenous communities, and supporting access to trauma-informed mental health and cultural support programs. In recognition of the unique circumstances and needs of Métis in Canada, a historic investment was made through the Budget 2021 investment, in which $30 million over three years was provided for Métis mental wellness. This investment has supported Métis partners to implement mental wellness strategies or health strategies with mental wellness components, as well as provide direct mental wellness service delivery. The Budget 2021 investments for Métis and continued support for access to trauma-informed health and cultural supports to Métis help address Call for Miskotahâ 53.

These investments continue to fund community-based trauma-informed health and cultural support workers to expand and maintain access to a network of health and wellness services accessible to Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools, including access to cultural support (i.e. Elders, Knowledge Holders and Traditional Healers), to all Indigenous People.

Indigenous Services Canada supports a number of initiatives related to mental wellness, including direct community-led approaches. While not project based, funding from the Government of Canada includes:

• The Hope for Wellness Helpline offering culturally competent crisis intervention services, and expanded chat-based service option, in addition to the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, and the MMIWG Crisis Line. Together, the three crisis lines responded to over 66,178 calls between April 1st and December 31st, 2023.

Indigenous Services Canada continues to fund programs for First Nations, Inuit and Métis to access trauma-informed supports. This includes community-based trauma-informed services, including access to cultural support (i.e. Elders, Knowledge Holders and Traditional Healers).

In particular, in 2023-24,funding has been provided to maintain community-based trauma-informed programs for Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools.

In 2023-24, Indigenous Services Canada continued relationship building with Métis including funding Métis-specific mental wellness interventions in recognition of their unique circumstances and needs. These efforts are funded with Budget 2021 Distinctions Based Mental Wellness investments.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: $597.6 million/3 years (Budget 2021); $107.2 million in 2021-22 (August 2021); $227.6 million / 2 years (Budget 2022)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Community-based organizations; Health providers; non-indigenous organizations; Organizations representing urban Indigenous, Métis, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and Indigenous youth
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 53
Related Calls for Justice: 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.7, 7.2, 7.3

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act) and the ongoing implementation efforts indirectly contribute to addressing Call for Justice 17.4. The Act affirms the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services and provides a framework under which Indigenous peoples can choose their own solutions for their children and families.

As part of the implementation of the Act, a unique, holistic, and community-driven process has been put in place for groups, communities, or peoples to move towards the development of laws and exercise of jurisdiction. This process has included:

• Distinctions-based governance engagement mechanisms
• Funding to support building capacity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis to develop their own visions;
• Establishing tripartite coordination agreement discussion tables; and
• Committing to fiscal arrangements that are sustainable, needs-based and consistent with the principle of substantive equality.

Since the Act came into force on January 1, 2020 and up to March 31, 2024:

• Indigenous Services Canada approved approximately $4.6 million in capacity-building funding for two Métis Indigenous governing bodies preparing to exercise jurisdiction via the framework of the Act and one Métis National Indigenous Organization advancing culturally appropriate reform of child and family services.
• Indigenous Services Canada received one notice to exercise jurisdiction and one request to enter into a coordination agreement from two Métis Indigenous governing bodies pursuant to section 20 of the Act.
• Although no coordination agreements were reached with Métis Indigenous governing bodies and no Métis child and family services laws came into force under the framework of the Act as of yet, there has been one active Métis coordination agreement discussion table.

In 2023-24, Indigenous Services Canada was actively engaged in discussions with the Manitoba Métis Federation to establish agreements to support the implementation of child and family services models tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. These discussions encompass various aspects, including financial arrangements, to ensure that the agreements adequately support the priorities and objectives of Métis groups.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: Economic and Fiscal Snapshot: $542 million over five years; Budget 2021: $73.6 million over four years; Budget 2022: $87.3 million over three to five years; Various funding sources: $1.29 billion - Funding allocated for various term lengths (up to ten years) starting over different fiscal years; Budget 2024: $1.8 billion over eleven years
Funding Source: Various
Partners: National Indigenous Organizations; Regional Indigenous Organizations; Indigenous, Federal, provincial and territorial governments; and First Nation, Inuit and Métis Indigenous governing bodies
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 29, 34, 36
Related Calls for Justice: 1.2 v, 1.3, 2.2 ii, 2.3, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.10, 12.11, 12.14, 16.14, 16.16, 16.17, 16.18, 17.3, 17.16, 17.17, 17.18

The Circle of Nations' programming supports Call for Justice 17.8 which call upon the federal government to provide Métis-specific cultural competency training to public servants. It also supports Call for Miskotahâ 16 which calls for Métis specific cultural training.

To date, in 2023-24 the Circle of Nations offered 58 learning events across the Government of Canada, resulting in the participation of 3,560 public servants across all federal departments and agencies. Additionally, the Circle of Nations held 27 events specifically for Natural Resources Canada staff, which helped 1,046 departmental employees achieve their eight hours of must-do Indigenous cultural competency training. In addition, the Elders-in-Residence attended and supported 58 different meetings, Circles and events for sectors within Natural Resources Canada.

Lead Department: Natural Resources Canada
Funding Amount: $450,000 annually, over two years, (2022-23 to 2023-24)
Funding Source: NRCan Departmental Reserve
Partners: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Elders; 2SLGBTQI+ people; Indigenous organizations; National Indigenous Women's Organizations; Survivors of violence and their families
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 16
Related Calls for Justice: 16.27

In 2022-23, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada developed and launched a new training curriculum for its prosecution teams that focuses on Crown-Indigenous relations, anti-racism, bias, trauma and Gladue reports. The course entitled "Historical and Present Indigenous Realities, Trauma and Gladue Reports" course was developed through a collaboration between Public Prosecution Service of Canada's Advancement Centre for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, the Indigenous Justice and Reconciliation Committee, the National Indigenous Council for Employees and the NVision Insight Group Inc.. This course is mandatory for all non-Indigenous employees of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

This curriculum is divided into four modules.

• Module 1 focuses on the historical relationship between the Crown and Indigenous peoples;
• Module 2 focuses on cultural competency and current realities and aims to challenge stereotypes associated with Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit and Métis people;
• Module 3 focuses on intergenerational trauma and trauma-informed practices; and
• Module 4 provides hands-on training on Gladue principles and the role of the Crown.

The first three modules of the course are mandatory for all employees, while the fourth module is mandatory for prosecutors and paralegals, and remains open to all other employee groups.

Since the launch of the training in 2023, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada has delivered nine (9) training sessions in the following regional offices: Ontario, Yukon, Nunavut, Manitoba, Quebec, Atlantic, National Capital, Headquarters and Internal Services. Each training session is adapted to integrate the Indigenous specific realities of the region.

Delivery of the training will continue throughout the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The development of the "Historical and Present Indigenous Realities, Trauma and Gladue Reports" training curriculum was informed by the founding principles of Distinctions-based Culturally Relevant Gender-based Analysis. Each training session is specifically adapted for every regional office to acknowledge and integrate the unique historical and present realities of the First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Indigenous communities living that particular geographical region and serviced by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

Through this training, Public Prosecution Service of Canada employees learn about the various factors that may be contributing to the systemic discrimination faced by Indigenous People. Prosecutors also learn about consideration that is relevant at various stages of the prosecutorial process that will help ensure the equity of outcomes and contribute to curbing over-representation of Indigenous persons in the criminal justice system.

Lead Department: Public Prosecution Service of Canada
Funding Amount: $23.5 million/3 years (shared by all four PPSC initiatives)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Internal Indigenous committees; NVision Insight Group Inc.
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 10.1, 16.27, 17.8, 17.29

This initiative in Budget 2021 provides ongoing funding for Indigenous owned rail lines in two rural and remote regions where alternative, year-round transportation is limited or unavailable - Sept-Iles and Schefferville in Quebec and The Pas and Pukatawagan in Manitoba. Ongoing funding of the Remote Passenger Rail Program between Sept-Iles and Schefferville in Quebec and The Pas and Pukatawagan in Manitoba in the form of contributions for:

• Operating expenditures for the remote passenger rail services not provided by VIA Rail Canada; an
• Capital expenditures for owners of railway lines where federally-supported (by Transport Canada or VIA) remote passenger rail services operate.

Lead Department: Transport Canada
Funding Amount: $43 million/3 years (Budget 2021) + an additional one-time funding of $49.9 million
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Keewatin Rail Company; Tshiuetin Rail Transportation (Indigenous Passenger Rail Services Providers)
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 4.8

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act), which came into force on January 1, 2020, was co-developed, and is being implemented, with Indigenous partners. The purpose of this Act is to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in child and family services systems. The Act directly contributes to addressing Call for Justice 17.16 by affirming the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services and providing for a framework under which Indigenous peoples to choose their own culturally-appropriate solutions for their children and families.

As part of the implementation of the Act, a unique, holistic, and community-driven process has been put in place for groups, communities, or peoples to move towards the development of laws and exercise of jurisdiction. This process has included:

• Distinctions-based governance engagement mechanisms for partners to discuss high-level policy issues relating to transition and effective implementation of the Act;
• Funding to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, groups, and people and Indigenous governing bodies develop capacity to implement their child and family service delivery plans;
• Establishing tripartite coordination agreement discussion tables; and
• Committing to fiscal arrangements that are sustainable, needs-based and consistent with the principle of substantive equality.

Since the Act came into force on January 1, 2020 and up to March 31, 2024:

• Indigenous Services Canada approved approximately $4.6 million in capacity-building funding for two Métis Indigenous governing bodies preparing to exercise jurisdiction via the framework of the Act and one Métis National Indigenous Organization advancing culturally appropriate reform of child and family services.
• Indigenous Services Canada received one notice to exercise jurisdiction and one request to enter into a coordination agreement from two Métis Indigenous governing bodies pursuant to section 20 of the Act.
• Although no coordination agreements were reached with Métis Indigenous governing bodies and no Métis child and family services laws came into force under the framework of the Act as of yet, there has been one active Métis coordination agreement discussion table.

In 2023-24, Indigenous Services Canada was actively engaged in discussions with the Manitoba Métis Federation to establish agreements to support the implementation of child and family services models tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. These discussions encompass various aspects, including financial arrangements, to ensure that the agreements adequately support the priorities and objectives of Métis groups.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: Economic and Fiscal Snapshot: $542 million over five years; Budget 2021: $73.6 million over four years; Budget 2022: $87.3 million over three to five years; Various funding sources: $1.29 billion - Funding allocated for various term lengths (up to ten years);) starting over different fiscal years; Budget 2024: $1.8 billion over eleven years
Funding Source: Various
Partners: National Indigenous Organizations; Regional Indigenous Organizations; Indigenous, Federal, provincial and territorial governments; and First Nation, Inuit and Métis Indigenous governing bodies
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 29, 34, 36
Related Calls for Justice: 1.2 v, 1.3, 2.2 ii, 2.3, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.10, 12.11, 12.14, 16.14, 16.16, 16.17, 16.18, 17.3, 17.4, 17.17, 17.18

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act), which came into force on January 1, 2020, was co-developed, and is being implemented together, with Indigenous partners. The purpose of this Act is to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in child and family services systems. The Act directly contributes to addressing Call for Justice 17.17 by affirming the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services and providing for a framework under which Indigenous peoples can choose their own solutions for their children and families.

As part of the implementation of the Act, a unique, holistic, and community-driven process has been put in place for groups, communities, or peoples to move towards the development of laws and exercise of jurisdiction. This process has included:

• Distinctions-based governance engagement mechanisms (GEMs) for partners to discuss high-level policy issues relating to transition and effective implementation of the Act;
• Funding to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, groups, and people and Indigenous governing bodies develop capacity to implement their child and family service delivery plans;
• Establishing tripartite coordination agreement discussion tables; and
• Committing to fiscal arrangements that are sustainable, needs-based and consistent with the principle of substantive equality.

Since the Act came into force on January 1, 2020 and up to March 31, 2024:

• Indigenous Services Canada approved approximately $4.6 million in capacity-building funding for two Métis Indigenous governing bodies preparing to exercise jurisdiction via the framework of the Act.
• Indigenous Services Canada received one notice to exercise jurisdiction and one request to enter into a coordination agreement from two Métis Indigenous governing bodies pursuant to section 20 of the Act.
• Although no coordination agreements were reached with Métis Indigenous governing bodies and no Métis child and family services laws came into force under the framework of the Act as of yet, there has been one active Métis coordination agreement discussion table.

In 2023-24, Indigenous Services Canada was actively engaged in discussions with the Manitoba Métis Federation to establish agreements to support the implementation of child and family services models tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. These discussions encompass various aspects, including financial arrangements, to ensure that the agreements adequately support the priorities and objectives of Métis groups.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: Economic and Fiscal Snapshot: $542 million over five years; Budget 2021: $73.6 million over four years; Budget 2022: $87.3 million over three to five years; Various funding sources: $1.29 billion – Funding allocated for various term lengths (up to ten years);) starting over different fiscal years; Budget 2024: $1.8 billion over eleven years
Funding Source: Various
Partners: National Indigenous Organizations; Regional Indigenous Organizations; Indigenous, Federal, provincial and territorial governments; and First Nation, Inuit and Métis Indigenous governing bodies
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 29, 34, 36
Related Calls for Justice: 1.2 v, 1.3, 2.2 ii, 2.3, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.10, 12.11, 12.14, 16.14, 16.16, 16.17, 16.18, 17.3, 17.4, 17.16, 17.18

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act), which came into force on January 1, 2020, was co-developed, and is being implemented, with Indigenous partners. The purpose of this Act is to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in child and family services systems. The Act directly contributes to addressing Call for Justice 17.18 by affirming the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services and providing for a framework under which Indigenous peoples can choose their own culturally-appropriate solutions for their children and families.

As part of the implementation of the Act, a unique, holistic, and community-driven process has been put in place for groups, communities, or peoples to move towards the development of laws and exercise of jurisdiction. This process has included:

• Distinctions-based governance engagement mechanisms for partners to discuss high-level policy issues relating to transition and effective implementation of the Act;
• Funding to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, groups, and people and Indigenous governing bodies develop capacity to implement their child and family service delivery plans;
• Establishing tripartite coordination agreement discussion tables; and
• Committing to fiscal arrangements that are sustainable, needs-based and consistent with the principle of substantive equality.

Since the Act came into force on January 1, 2020 and up to March 31, 2024:

• Indigenous Services Canada approved approximately $4.6 million in capacity-building funding for two Métis Indigenous governing bodies preparing to exercise jurisdiction via the framework of the Act and one Métis National Indigenous Organization advancing culturally appropriate reform of child and family services.
• Indigenous Services Canada received one notice to exercise jurisdiction and one request to enter into a coordination agreement from two Métis Indigenous governing bodies pursuant to section 20 of the Act.
• Although no coordination agreements were reached with Métis Indigenous governing bodies and no Métis child and family services laws came into force under the framework of the Act as of yet, there has been one active Métis coordination agreement discussion table.

In 2023-24, Indigenous Services Canada was actively engaged in discussions with the Manitoba Métis Federation to establish agreements to support the implementation of child and family services models tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. These discussions encompass various aspects, including financial arrangements, to ensure that the agreements adequately support the priorities and objectives of Métis groups.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: Economic and Fiscal Snapshot: $542 million over five years; Budget 2021: $73.6 million over four years; Budget 2022: $87.3 million over three to five years; Various funding sources: $1.29 billion – Funding allocated for various term lengths (up to ten years) starting over different fiscal years; Budget 2024: $1.8 billion over eleven years
Funding Source: Various
Partners: National Indigenous Organizations; Regional Indigenous Organizations; Indigenous, Federal, provincial and territorial governments; and First Nation, Inuit and Métis Indigenous governing bodies
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 29, 34, 36
Related Calls for Justice: 1.2 v, 1.3, 2.2 ii, 2.3, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.10, 12.11, 12.14, 16.14, 16.16, 16.17, 16.18, 17.3, 17.4, 17.16, 17.17

Indigenous Services Canada has $1 million in dedicated annual funding to support Métis-specific prevention and awareness activities outside of the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy. This strategy also supports Métis-specific violence prevention activities. Disaggregated data is not yet available on this.

In collaboration with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Indigenous partners, two Métis-specific shelter projects have been selected under the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative have been selected thus far.

Funding specific to Indigenous Services Canada also supports violence prevention activities. One Métis project supported a Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to bring together people of the Métis Nation of Alberta (Region 5), community agencies, and speakers to speak to the statistics and facts pertaining to violence against women and girls, maintain awareness of the issues identified in the Final Report and raise awareness of community resources, followed by a vigil to honour the memory of the women and girls lost to violence.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada; Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Funding Amount: $724.1 million/5 years and $96.6 million ongoing
Funding Source: Fall Economic Statement 2020
Partners: Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada; Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak; Assembly of First Nations' Women's Council; National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence; National Family and Survivors Circle; Urban partners; 2SLGBTQQIA+ partners
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 19, 23, 25
Related Calls for Justice: 1.8, 3.4, 4.7, 7.3, 16.19, 16.29, 17.20, 17.23

In 2022-23, the MMIWG Secretariat continued funding 12 projects, one of which was Métis-led and opened a new Call for Proposals for the Support for Wellbeing of Families and Survivors Program and approved 10 new multi-year projects, of which one was Métis-led, and 3 new single-year projects.

This year, the MMIWG Secretariat continued funding 10 projects, one of which was Métis-led, and funded 1 new project totalling 3.5 million.

In response to Call for Miskotahâ 20, this program has funded two Métis organizations to work with their communities and families supporting their healing journey. As such, this program supports for healthcare, child and family welfare.

Lead Department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Funding Amount: $12.5 million/5 years and $2.5 million ongoing
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: National Family and Survivors Circle (for design of program); Indigenous grassroots groups; Non-profit organizations; Communities
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 20
Related Calls for Justice: 3.7, 5.6, 17.20

In January 2024, Minister Fraser announced that the $4 billion in funding over seven years for a new Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy that will be delivered through a National Indigenous Housing Centre and through direct funding to First Nations Inuit and Métis partners and Modern treaty Self-Governing Indigenous Governments to fill important housing gaps for Métis in greatest housing need.

Lead Department: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Funding Amount: $4 billion over 7 years, starting in 2024-25; $285.1 million commitment over 2 years
Funding Source: Budget 2022; Budget 2023
Partners:
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 4.6, 4.7 and 17.23

The National Housing Strategy is currently a 10-year, $82+ billion plan to give more people in Canada a place to call home. Launched in 2017, the Strategy includes a range of complementary programs and initiatives that address diverse needs across the entire housing continuum. This includes initiatives to construct new and repair existing housing for households across Canada, including for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

The National Housing Strategy recognizes that women and their children are disproportionately impacted by housing need and that intersections of identities such as race, sexual orientation, age and socio-economic status create distinct types of housing barriers for them. For this reason, the federal government aims to put 33% of the strategy's investments, with a minimum of 25%, towards serving the unique needs of women and their children. As of December 31, 2023, the National Housing Strategy has committed an estimated $12.32 billion towards meeting the housing needs of women and their children, which represents 31% of all National Housing Strategy funding committed.

Meeting the housing needs of Indigenous communities is a priority under Canada's National Housing Strategy. Projects serving the needs of Indigenous peoples and families are prioritized for funding under many National Housing Strategy programs. There is also programming and funding exclusively for Indigenous and Northern housing.

On November 30, 2020, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $724.1 million to support the construction and operations of 38 new shelters and 50 transitional homes for Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQI+ people facing gender-based violence through the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will allocate $420 million of this investment over 5 years to support the construction of new shelters and transitional housing through the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative, which is also considered a part of the National Housing Strategy.

Under this initiative, as of December 31, 2023, the Indigenous-led Steering committees have selected 47 projects for funding (25 Shelters & 22 Transitional Housing), which is $207 million in capital funding and 786 spaces/units. 33 projects in total have advanced to the point of receiving an agreement and $26 million has been advanced. Of the 47 projects selected for funding2 are providing Métis specific services.

The NHS provides other funding exclusively for Indigenous and Northern Housing but does not collect distinctions-based data. This includes the funding allocated for the following:

• $25 million through the Affordable Housing Fund to repair 560 units in the existing urban Indigenous community housing stock.
• $13.1 million through the Affordable Housing Fund for 2 emergency shelters in the territories. This is part of the $44.8 million 2020 Shelter Initiative for Indigenous women and children escaping family violence. This initiative is supporting the construction of 12 Indigenous shelters across Canada. There will be:
• $100 million through the Affordable Housing Fund to support the construction and repair of Housing in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
• $300 million through Northern Funding for the territories.

The NHS also includes programs of general application. While distinctions-based data is not collected for these programs, they support households across Canada, this would include Métis households. $4.23 billion has been conditionally or financially committed for Indigenous and Northern housing through the federal supply initiatives. This includes the Affordable Housing Fund commitments for urban Indigenous housing, emergency Indigenous shelters and housing in the territories listed above. Examples of initiatives include:

• The Rapid Housing Initiative Rounds 1 to 3 committed $3.87 billion to support the creation of 15,742 new affordable units, of which 5,532 units are built, 4,865 are currently under construction and 187 units are financially committed. Of the total units committed, 6,239 units are for Indigenous peoples (2,635 of which have been built), which may include units for Métis communities.
• Since the launch of the Affordable Housing Fund, as of December 31, 2023, CMHC has committed $8.17 billion to support the creation of 32,919 new units (21,488 under 80% median market rent) and the repair/renewal of 159,847 units (127,088 under 80% median market rent) for households across Canada. Of the 32,919 new units, 3,466 units are conditional commitments, 16,407 units are in progress, and 13,046 units are built. Among those units, 5,119 new units and 17,826 repair/renewed units are specifically targeted towards Indigenous households, some of which may include Métis households.

Lead Department: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Funding Amount: $82 billion over ten years, starting in 2017-18
Funding Source: Various
Partners: Provincial and territorial governments; National Indigenous Organizations, and their affiliated organizations; Indigenous governments and organizations; non-profit organizations; municipal governments
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 25 and 26
Related Calls for Justice: 4.6, 4.7 12.4, 16.18 and 18.25

Indigenous Services Canada has $1 million in dedicated annual funding to support Métis-specific prevention and awareness activities outside of the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy. This strategy also supports Métis-specific violence prevention activities. Disaggregated data is not yet available on this.

Moreover, under the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative, Métis-specific shelter and transitional home allocations were set aside to prioritize projects for Métis women, girls, and gender diverse people escaping violence.

One Métis-led project introduces and delivers opportunities for community members to participate in sharing circles, healing circles, land based and cultural camps. The project also seeks to increase community awareness of family violence and encourage strong community participation through awareness walks and gatherings.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada; Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Funding Amount: $724.1 million/5 years and $96.6 million ongoing
Funding Source: Fall Economic Statement 2020
Partners: Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada; Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak; Assembly of First Nations' Women's Council; National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence; National Family and Survivors Circle; Urban partners; 2SLGBTQQIA+ partners
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 19, 23, 25
Related Calls for Justice: 1.8, 3.4, 4.7, 7.3, 16.19, 16.29, 17.20, 17.23

In January 2024, Minister Fraser announced that the $4 billion in funding for the Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy will be delivered through both a National Indigenous Housing Centre and through direct funding to First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners and Modern Treaty Self Governing Indigenous Governments.

Lead Department: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Funding Amount: $4 billion over 7 years, starting in 2024-25; $285.1 million commitment over 2 years
Funding Source: Budget 2022; Budget 2023
Partners:
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 4.6, 4.7 and 17.20

Through the Listen, Hear our Voices and We are Here, Sharing Stories initiatives, Library and Archives Canada has responded to Call for Justice 17.25 by providing funds to Métis communities.

The We are Here, Sharing Stories initiative has identified and are digitizing indicated records of importance to Métis communities through consultation with the Métis Archival Project.

The Louis Riel Institute's "Voices Not Forgotten: A Digitization Project to Reclaim Michif Voices," involves a collection of audio interviews that document the history, culture, and languages of the Métis through the voices of Knowledge Keepers and Elders. The interviews feature Métis authors, activists, and leaders discussing topics including, but not limited to: Métis identity, language preservation, community histories, and cultural traditions. The digitization of these materials will ensure the voices and contributions of the interviewees are revealed, celebrated, and preserved for present and future generations.

Through the We are Here: Sharing Stories initiative, Library and Archives Canada has responded to the Call for Miskotahâ by digitizing the register of delivery patents Aperture Card Subseries for the Métis Archival Project at the University of Alberta. Overall, in 20223-24, 20 collections identified by the We are Here: Sharing Stories initiative for digitization contained Métis content. This responds to the Call for Miskotahâ 21 by providing access to collections regarding Métis history through digitization and online resources. Métis families and communities can learn, share and reinforce culture and identity through the increased access to records containing Métis content that the We are Here: Sharing Stories project has digitized.

Lead Department: Library and Archives Canada
Funding Amount: $14.9 million/4 years
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: LAC Indigenous Advisory Circle; Listen, Hear Our Voices Contribution Program External Review Committee; National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation; National Claims Research Directors; Office of the Special Interlocutor
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 21
Related Calls for Justice: 2.2(ii), 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 16.2, 17.25

Guided by the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework the department will continue to collaborate with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation governments and organizations in supporting Indigenous-led Early Learning and Child Care programs and services, delivered in communities across the country. The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework includes a distinct Métis Early Learning and Child Care Framework.

Under the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Initiative, Indigenous partners, including Métis Nation partners, make decisions on their program and service delivery, governance and other Early Learning and Child Care priorities each year.

Métis Early Learning and Child Care focuses on instilling Métis culture, language, and traditional practices in early childhood education curriculum.

2023-24 example

• Since the signing the Canada-Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care Accord in 2019, the Métis Nation has achieved notable successes in establishing a robust and culturally-sensitive Early Learning and Child Care sector. Through a comprehensive approach that includes on-the-land cultural immersion camps, child care subsidies, space creation, early literacy initiatives, curriculum and learning aid development, and efforts to support the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators, the Métis Nation has created a holistic system that caters to the diverse needs of its children while preserving its cultural heritage.
• Child Care Subsidies: Recognizing the importance of accessible child care, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, and the Métis Nation of Ontario have implemented child care subsidies to alleviate financial burdens on families. These subsidies ensure that families, regardless of their socioeconomic status, can access high-quality Early Learning and Child Care services, promoting opportunities for Métis children and families including parents enrolled in further education.
• Child Care Space Creation: An integral component of the Métis Nation's achievements in Early Learning and Child Care is the strategic construction of child care centers. These facilities provide safe, nurturing, and culturally-rich environments for children. The centres are thoughtfully designed to incorporate elements of Métis culture and aesthetics, creating spaces that reflect the communities' identity and values. These centres become focal points for community engagement, where families, educators, and community members collaborate to create a strong support network for the holistic development of Métis children. To date, centres have been established in British Columbia, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.
• To complement child care centers, home-based care options have been established, allowing children to learn in familiar environments under the guidance of trained caregivers. Not only do these provide quality-care in small groups, but they also provide employment opportunities for Métis entrepreneurs.

Lead Department: Employment and Social Development Canada
Funding Amount: $1.7 billion over 10 years (Budget 2017); $120 million in emergency funding in 2020-21; $145 million over 5 years and $225 million ongoing (Fall Economic Statement 2020); $2.5 billion over 5 years and $542 M per year ongoing (Budget 2021); All investments are incremental to existing ongoing investments in IELCC legacy programs
Partners: Employment and Social Development Canada-Service Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and First Nation, Inuit and Métis governments and their representatives – participating in IELCC partnership tables at the national and regional levels
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 2.3, 16.4, 16.21, 16.25

Expanding support for the Indigenous Justice Program (IJP) will help maintain the availability of Indigenous-led community justice programs to provide safe and responsive, culturally relevant Indigenous and restorative justice programming in communities, including IJP programs specific to Métis needs and cultural realities. Programs are designed, delivered and driven by Indigenous people. Programming reflects the justice values, traditions and culture of Indigenous communities.

The expanded support for IJP program integrity, victims training and civil and family mediation responds directly to Calls for Justice 1.8, 5.6, 5.11, 5.16 and 17.27, which call for the development of programming related to violence prevention; the development of adequate, reliable, culturally relevant and accessible victim services to support Indigenous victims of crime; community-based and Indigenous-specific options for sentencing and restorative justice; and rehabilitation programs specific to Métis needs and cultural realities. The funding also responds to Calls for Miskotahâ 41, which calls for action to eliminate the overrepresentation of Métis people in custody.

To date, 40 existing Indigenous Justice Program community-based justice programs received Civil and Family Mediation funds to address community and family conflicts and prevent their escalation, including those involving at-risk youth. These funds also provide opportunities for parents to resolve their disputes, including custody arrangements, more peacefully. In 2023 2024, approximately $2.8 million has been committed towards civil and family mediation services and programming.

A Métis specific example of this includes:

• Civil & Family Mediation: The Manitoba Métis Federation received funding to develop a new service for Métis citizens in Manitoba who require support and access to Mediation Services. The project will focus on providing mediation services in Child and Family Mediation. It will assist clients who require culturally responsive mediation services to develop a plan to resolve key conflicts within their family.

Lead Department: Justice Canada
Funding Amount: $13.6 million over 3 years (Program Integrity) and $6.8 million over 3 years (Civil and Family Mediation)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Indigenous community partners, Provincial and Territorial delivery partners
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 41
Related Calls for Justice: 1.8, 5.6, 5.11, 5.16