The 1999 Speech from the Throne:
Aboriginal People

October 12, 1999

The contribution of Canada's Aboriginal peoples has shaped our country's heritage and will continue to enrich Canada in the new century.

Our focus is on building strong partnerships with Aboriginal people; on improving the lives of Aboriginal people and strengthening their economies - so that they can more fully take part in and contribute to Canada's economic development and building our quality of life.

Fostering good government and strong accountability in First Nations communities will increase investor confidence, support economic partnerships and improve living standards.

Land claims agreements, in particular, are essential to creating certainty for Aboriginal peoples and their surrounding communities – providing the climate needed for partnerships, investments and economic opportunities.

A Record of Achievement

In 1998, the Government launched Gathering Strength -- Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan, an integrated plan which aims to build stronger partnerships with Aboriginal people.

The first step was the creation of a $350 million Healing Fund to help Aboriginals deal with the legacy of the residential school system.

We launched the Aboriginal Head Start program which aims to give Aboriginal pre-school children a better start in life.

In the 1999 budget, the Government announced a number of other initiatives directed at First Nations and Inuit, including an enhanced Home and Community Care program and an Aboriginal Diabetes Strategy.

We set up Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres which provide a range of culturally relevant programs to encourage Aboriginal youth to complete their education and strengthen employment skills.

We are investing $20 million annually in helping to preserve, protect and teach Aboriginal languages.

We created an Aboriginal Justice Learning Network to promote community-based alternative justice processes.

1999 SFT Commitments

We will:

• continue to build on the strong foundation of reconciliation and renewal outlined in Gathering Strength - Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan;

• continue to help Aboriginal communities prosper by fostering good governance and better accountability and by bringing certainty through land claims negotiations;

• table legislation to implement the Nisga'a Final Agreement; and

• continue to work with First Nations to address the health of aboriginal Canadians.