Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy (LICHS)

• Lead Department: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
• Start Date: June 2001
• End Date: To be determined

Total Federal Funding Allocation

Cabinet approved the LICHS in June 2001 and provided $81 million over three years including: $59 million for INAC; $20 million for Health Canada and $2 million for Solicitor General. The initial LICHS ended March 2004, but was extended for one-year; INAC received a further $15 million to provide basic programs and services; and Health Canada received $5.5 million to continue the work already begun under the LICHS. INAC, Health Canada (HC) and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) have collaborated to seek authority and funding for the continuation of the LICHS beyond March 2005. The implementation of the various elements of the proposed LICHS is yet to be determined as it will be dependent on approval of the LICHS and confirmation of the level of funding.

Description

The LICHS was developed by INAC, HC and former Solicitor General in response to the 2000 gas-sniffing crisis facing the Labrador Innu to help resolve the serious health, social and safety issues in the communities of Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu. While notable progress has been achieved, many serious issues remain. To address these issues, INAC, HC and PSEPC are seeking Cabinet approval and funding for the continuation of the LICHS. The proposed approach responds positively to the priorities in the October 2004 Speech from the Throne for addressing the needs of Aboriginal Canadians.

Shared Outcome(s)

The partners, in consultation with the Innu, developed the following 5-year vision with respect to the continuation of the LICHS. This vision is for the federal government, the Province and the Innu to work in partnership to: advance Innu community healing; build increased Innu capacity for the management and delivery of some government programs; decommission Davis Inlet; conclude a land claim Agreement-in-Principle; address issues arising from sexual, physical and emotional abuse; achieve improvements in health, education, family and social well-being, economic development, community development, public safety and First Nation governance; and, manage the LICHS in an integrated and effective fashion.

Governance Structure(s)

Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy Steering Committee; co-chaired by ADM, Socio-Economic Policy and Programs Sector and ADM, Corporate Services, INAC. Membership includes representatives from INAC, Health Canada and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC).

Main Table. Chaired by the Chief Federal Negotiator, Labrador Innu file. Membership includes representatives of the Labrador Innu leadership, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and federal partners to the LICHS.

TBD = To be determined

Results to be Achieved by Non-federal Partners:

Not applicable

Contact Information

Bruno Steinke
A/Director
SEPP – INAC
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4
994-4837

Approved by

Michel Smith
A/ADM
SEPP

Date Approved

January 2005