Aboriginal and Intergovernmental Relations

This area of our work includes working collaboratively with Aboriginal communities and organizations and other levels of government to coordinate Aboriginal and tri-partite initiatives; develop strategies and build and maintain a sustainable foundation for Aboriginal-Government relations.

The following are some key areas of activity:

Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs and Nova Scotia Cabinet Joint Meeting

Beginning in 2008, the Assembly and the Cabinet began meeting on an annual basis to discuss progress and challenges.

Photo from 2009 meeting in Paqtnkek

News Release from 2009
News Release from 2008

Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum

Since 1997, the Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum has been the discussion vehicle of choice for government to work with its First Nations partners and collaborate on social and economic issues that affect First Nation communities. In an effort to fuel more positive, tangible results, the Forum recently adopted a project management approach to its committee work. Already, this approaching is propelling the work plans of each committee forward and demonstrating results. Working committees include: Culture and Heritage; Economic Development; Social; Education; Sport and Recreation; Justice and; Health. The work of each working committee is enabled by the support of both a Steering Committee as well as a Officials and Executive Committees, who cap off the Forum's governance structure.

To learn more about the work of the forum, please visit the Tripartite Forum website.

Aboriginal Affairs Working Group Paper

In August 2009, Premiers provided direction to their respective Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs to work with the five National Aboriginal Organizations NAO) Leaders and the Federal government to examine how governments and NAOs can work more effectively to improve the outcomes for First Nation, Inuit and Metis peoples.

On October 29, 2009, Provincial and Territorial Ministers and NAO Leaders established the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG) and held their first meeting in Toronto. There was an agreement to work together to develop recommendations, and identify actions and strategies to improve the lives of Aboriginal peoples. In April of 2010 members of the working group agreed to work toward three common goals:

  • Closing the graduation gap;
  • Closing the income gap; and
  • Ending violence against Aboriginal women and girls

Aboriginal Affairs Working Group Report from the April 28, 2010 Meeting (pdf)