The City’s Indigenous Affairs Office (IAO) works closely with Indigenous partners across the city and supports City divisions in their work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and all urban Indigenous communities. The IAO strives to strengthen the City’s relationships with Indigenous communities and support City staff in advancing reconciliation. While the City remains committed to embedding the responsibility for Indigenous priorities across City divisions, the IAO will provide coordinated leadership on Indigenous affairs.

Staff in the IAO provide leadership and guidance to the Toronto Public Service to ensure that City programs and policies are consistent with legislative requirements and are responsive to the needs of Toronto’s diverse Indigenous communities.

Divisions have made progress on a number of Indigenous initiatives including and not limited to:

  • Development of a comprehensive Indigenous health strategy
  • Continued work on Indigenous place-making by Parks, Forestry and Recreation
  • Delivering Indigenous cultural competency education in Children’s Services, Toronto Shelter and Support Services and Councillor’s Offices
  • Supporting the Restoration of Identity: Indian Residential School Survivor Legacy Project on Nathan Phillips Square
  • Supporting the rollout of Indigenous cultural competency training across the Toronto Public Service

Director

Selina Young