Mandate

• To serve as a Government of Canada point of contact for Inuit and for Inuit issues.
• To develop common approaches within the federal government to address Inuit issues in order to bring greater coherence, relevance and effectiveness to policies and programs as they affect Inuit.
• To identify and use opportunities to leverage resources from multiple sources to address Inuit priorities.
• To clarify and strengthen roles and responsibilities of and between governments as they pertain to Inuit.
• To develop strong ongoing relations with national, regional, international and urban Inuit organizations.

Basic Organizational Capacity of Aboriginal Representative Organization (BOC)

The Inuit Relations Secretariat is responsible for the management of the Inuit component of the BOC funding. Basic Organizational Capacity funding ensures aboriginal perspectives are reflected in the development of government policies and programs. BOC funding provides key national and regional Inuit organizations with the capacity to represent the interests of their communities.

Role

IRS assists in addressing federal policy and program development to ensure Inuit interests are considered by:

• Working collaboratively across the federal government and with provincial and territorial governments;
• Participating in policy development issues affecting Inuit within AANDC;
• Analyzing and providing advice on existing and proposed federal policies and programs; and,
• Facilitating research on Inuit issues in partnership with other organizations.

Governance Structure

• The Secretariat is headed by an Executive Director who reports to the Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
• The Secretariat coordinates the activities of the Interdepartmental Directors General Standing Committee on Inuit issues.
• The Secretariat collaborates with Inuit organizations and with partners in provincial and territorial governments.

IRS Organizational Chart
The mandate of the Inuit Relations Secretariat is described, as is their role and organizational structure within the federal government and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. The Inuit Relations Secretariat is also responsible for the Inuit component of the Basic Organizational Capacity program.