About our Ministry

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations which was previously known as the Ministry of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations is now responsible for the following:

  • Working with Aboriginal communities, the federal government, industry and other stakeholders to promote social and economic opportunities to enhance the quality of life of Aboriginal people in Alberta.

The former branches of intergovernmental and international relations are now the Ministry of International and Intergovernmental Relations.

Read details about government changes and Premier Redford’s strategy to take action on Albertans’ priorities in the news release.

Celebrating Aboriginal women entrepreneurs

Minister Dallas presents the Ministry-sponsored 2012 Aboriginal Woman Entrepreneur Award to Isabell Ringenoldus of TAWS Security Inc.

See photo gallery.


 

FNDF Annual Results 2010/2011

In 2010/2011, FNDF paid over $102 million to First Nations to support economic, social and community development projects.

The FNDF Grant Program Annual Results 2010/2011 highlights six of nearly 200 success stories made possible with FNDF funding support.


 

Did You Know?

  • The combined income of Aboriginal households, business and government sectors will reach $24 billion in 2011. 
  • The combined income of Aboriginal households, business and government sectors is projected to surpass $32 billion by 2016. 
  • Alberta’s Aboriginal ancestry population is close to 250,000, an increase of 23% in five years (2001-2006).
  • Alberta has Canada’s third-largest Aboriginal identity population, the majority of whom live in urban areas (63%).
  • Alberta’s First Nation population is 105,777 (registered under the federal “Indian Act") with 37% living off-reserve.
  • There are 48 First Nations and 134 reserves in Alberta comprising 787,336 hectares (1.95 million acres) and covering three Treaty areas.
  • Alberta’s Métis population is 85,500, the largest Métis population in Canada.
  • The majority of Alberta’s Métis population (88%) live in major urban centres.
  • There are eight Metis Settlements in Alberta, comprising 512,121 hectares (1.25 million acres). This is the only recognized Métis land base in Canada.
  • Approximately 8,000 people are members of Metis Settlements in Alberta.
  • An estimated 23,000 Aboriginal people live on the eighteen First Nations and six Metis Settlements located in the province’s oil sands areas
  • There are more than 1,700 Aboriginal employees in permanent oil sands jobs in the Wood Buffalo region, an increase of more than 60% since 1998.
  • About 10% of Alberta’s oil sands workforce is Aboriginal.
  • Alberta was the first province to develop a consultation policy. Alberta’s First Nations Consultation Policy on Land Management and Resource Development was introduced in 2005.
  • Consultation is an essential step to ensuring Alberta maintains its global competitiveness in land management and resource development, while still respecting Treaty rights and traditional uses.
  • The number of Aboriginal business owners is growing five times faster than other Canadian entrepreneurs.
  • Alberta is home to the third highest number of Aboriginal business owners in Canada.
  • It is estimated that eliminating the employment, income and education gaps facing Aboriginal people would result in a potential contribution by Aboriginal Canadians of $160 billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product.
  • Alberta’s first stand-alone Ministry of Aboriginal Relations was created in 2008 to support the vision of strong and vibrant Aboriginal communities and people, fully participating in the opportunities of a prosperous and diverse province.
  • With nearly 250,000 people of First Nations, Métis and Inuit ancestry, Alberta is home to one of the largest, youngest and fastest-growing Aboriginal populations in Canada.

Current News

Alberta government marks National Aboriginal Day with pilot project announcement  - June 16, 2011

Alberta's investment boosts Aboriginal economic participation - May 20, 2011

New plan focuses on working together to build Aboriginal participation in Alberta's workforce  - May 6, 2011