Aboriginal peoples

The federal government has constitutional, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and northerners. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is the government department primarily responsible for carrying out this function.

The Department ensures that Status Indians (those recorded in the Indian Act register) living on reserves have access to basic services comparable to those available to other Canadian residents from provincial, territorial and municipal governments. These services include education, housing, community infrastructure, social assistance and social support services.