Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Leaders of National Aboriginal Organization

OTTAWA, December 7, 2001 - Federal-provincial/territorial Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and the Leaders of the five national Aboriginal organizations (FPTA) met today to discuss strengthening Aboriginal participation in the economy and Aboriginal youth.

Of particular interest to Ministers and Leaders were the views of two of the 140 Aboriginal youth delegates who recently attended the National Aboriginal Youth Conference (NAYC) in Edmonton. The conference was a key step in the implementation of the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy.*

As a follow-up to their last meeting held in Winnipeg on May 11, 2001, Leaders and Ministers reviewed and endorsed the FPTA Work Plan and Progress Report concerning Strengthening Aboriginal Participation in the Economy with a particular focus on increasing the participation of Aboriginal women and youth as well as engaging the private sector. The Report is the result of a collaborative effort involving five national Aboriginal organizations, provincial and territorial governments and the Government of Canada.

Leaders and Ministers recognized the need for immediate action to be taken to engage the private sector in a dialogue on strengthening Aboriginal participation in the economy, to continue to actively leverage partnerships and to raise awareness of this important issue among the general population. Ministers and Leaders expressed their commitment to providing youth with the tools they need to access the economy and to increasing Aboriginal women's participation in the economy, particularly in the area of entrepreneurship as these are specific needs which will have a vital impact on the future of all Canadians.

Ministers and Leaders endorsed the work plan and progress report and directed officials to:

• Establish a FPTA Working Group on the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy which will review the report from the National Aboriginal Youth Conference, develop an action plan, continue to involve Aboriginal youth in monitoring progress on achieving the objectives of the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy.

• Explore measures to increase the participation of Aboriginal women in the economy.

• Continue to implement the recommendations of the Strengthening Aboriginal Participation in the Economy Report, with emphasis on addressing the needs of Aboriginal women and youth.

• Plan for a national business summit of government, Aboriginal and private sector representatives aimed at strengthening Aboriginal participation in the economy.

Leaders and Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the FPTA process and the importance of continued dialogue between Aboriginal organizations and governments to further improve the quality of life of Aboriginal peoples. They agreed to reconvene in May or June 2002 to pursue their common objectives.

* Quebec concurs with the analysis and concerns expressed in the Report of the Working Group on Aboriginal youth, as discussed at the National Aboriginal Youth Conference in Edmonton, and subscribes on the whole to the suggested goals. Nevertheless, Quebec intends to find solutions to the problems faced by young Aboriginals within its own policy directions and mechanisms.