Intergovernmental Strategic Indigenous Alignment
Background
In July 2010, the Canadian, Provincial and Municipal government parties signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) to work together and better align resources to improve socio-economic outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Winnipeg and to improve the capacity of Indigenous organizations to carry out their mandates.
To support these efforts, Senior Officials established an Intergovernmental Strategic Indigenous Alignment (ISIA) Working Group to develop a five-year strategic plan. Representatives include:
- City of Winnipeg, Manager of Indigenous Relations
- Manitoba Indigenous and Municipal Relations, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Manitoba Regional Director
Evaluation
In 2015, a final MOC Evaluation report was completed, which includes topics on project outcomes, effectiveness of the ISIA process and activities, and recommendations regarding the establishment of a potential successor agreement.
Moving Forward
In 2015 the ISIA Working Group developed an Administrative Letter of Understanding with a supporting Statement of Work which outlines four priority areas, strategies and activities the group will collaborate on and have defined:
Welcoming Winnipeg: To create a welcoming environment in the City of Winnipeg, increase cultural awareness through highlighting Indigenous peoples’ roles and contributions in the evolution of the City of Winnipeg and engaging newcomers and visitors to build on lasting relationships for our shared future.
Urban Reserves: To support Indigenous Communities to develop Urban Reserves or Urban Economic Development Zones within the City of Winnipeg and to support the City of Winnipeg in its efforts to negotiate Municipal Development Service Agreements or MDSA’s with various First Nations.
Sustainable Livelihoods Model project: To update a current database of services accessed by Winnipeg’s Indigenous population, the project will examine and layer on demographic information to try to determine if the existing programs and services match where the Indigenous population of Winnipeg may be at. This information will increase knowledge about community programs and services for individuals, community organizations, and funders.