Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday the federal government is dissolving the generations old Indian and Northern Affairs Department and dividing it into two new agencies.
Trudeau told reporters the dissolving of INAC is part of the federal governments plans to resolve the paternalistic and colonial practices inherent in the Indian Act system.
Former Health Minister Jane Phillpot will now head a new department of Indigenous services while INAC Minister Carolyn bennet becomes minister of Crown-Indigenous relations and northern affairs.
Bennet’s department will focus on accelerating self government for First Nations communities and establishing nation to nation relationships.
Officials say the details surrounding the department’s split are not solidified yet and will be worked out in consultation with indigenous people in Canada.

First Nations University in Saskatchewan is launching a new program specializing in reconciliation.
The certificate program focuses on recognizing the shared history between indigenous and non indigenous peoples in Canada.
The development of the new course schedule is the schools response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.

The city of Akron Ohio says it is considering changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.
Officials for the city say the change would help correct the wrongs of genocide against Native Americans and celebrate their culture.
Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, South Dakota and Vermont are among the states that have dropped Columbus Day in acknowledgement of the atrocities he committed against the indigenous people of the Americas.

A new Indigenous Peoples Court will begin in Ottawa next month, a move to help indigenous people move safely through the criminal justice system.
A ceremony was held in the city to mark the launch of the new court.
The court is the result of five years of work by a committee of judges, lawyers and advocates to ensure culturally meaningful processes to indigenous peoples sentencing.
The court will operate on two half days a week, dealing with bail hearings and sentencing.