Operating context

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) was officially established on July 15, 2019, with the coming into force of the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Act. CIRNAC's mandate is to carry out activities that support the Government of Canada's commitment to advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Its primary focus is renewed nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships based on affirmation and implementation of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. The department works in partnership with Indigenous communities so that they are better positioned to govern their own affairs and achieve self-determination, and promotes the prosperity and well-being of residents and communities in the North. This work is always conducted in partnership with other government departments to achieve a coherent whole-of-government approach to the Crown-Indigenous relationship.

CIRNAC's mandate is divided into 2 Core Responsibilities: 1) Crown-Indigenous Relations and 2) Northern Affairs. The work involved includes facilitating collaboration and cooperation with Indigenous peoples and with the provinces and territories in relation to entering into and implementing agreements; recognizing and implementing treaties concluded between the Crown and Indigenous peoples; addressing past wrongs by negotiating and resolving historical grievances put forward by First Nations; promoting self-reliance and supporting climate change actions as well as easier access to healthy food for the residents and communities of the Canadian North; recognizing and promoting Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing; and, promoting public awareness and understanding of the importance of working toward and contributing to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

In the context of the challenges brought forward by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government worked on balancing the need to focus on public health and economic recovery with the need to sustain momentum on the longer-term reconciliation agenda. Although the pandemic had various impacts on CIRNAC's 2020–21 activities and results, the department remains committed to meeting the various needs and responding to the unique realities of all Indigenous peoples and Northerners in these unprecedented times. While considerable work remains to be done, measures taken to-date demonstrate the strength of the government's commitment going forward.