The Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians was a title and role in the Canadian Cabinet that provided a liaison (or, interlocutor) for the federal Canadian government, and its various departments, to Métis and non-status Aboriginal peoples (many of whom live in rural areas), and other off-reserve (e.g., urban) Aboriginal groups.
The role was created with the purpose of serving those Indigenous people who were excluded from the activities of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, which was officially responsible only for Status Indians—largely those living on Indian reserves.
As of 4 September 2012, the portfolio dealing with Métis and Non-Status Indians was moved from the OFI to the Policy and Strategic Direction branch of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in order to streamline program management and business processes.
History
The role was created in 1985 in the context of the Aboriginal Constitutional Conferences (1983-1987) with the purpose of serving those Indigenous people who were excluded from matters of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, which was officially responsible only for Status Indians—largely those living on Indian reserves. Over the intervening decades, the mandate evolved and broadened to include bilateral relations between the federal government and national Métis and non-status Indian organizations; tripartite self-government processes with off-reserve Aboriginal groups and the provinces; and advocacy of Métis, non-status Indian, and urban Aboriginal people issues within Cabinet and Government; among other things.
!Took office
!Left office
!Concurrent positions
!Party
|-
|Anne McLellan
|1994-01-19
|2002-01-14
|
- Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
|Lib
|-
|Ralph Goodale
|2002/01/15
|2002/05/25
|
- Leader of Government in the House of Commons
- Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board
|Lib
|-
|Denis Coderre
|2003/12/12
|2004/07/19
|
- President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
- Minister responsible for La Francophonie
- Minister responsible for the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution
|Lib
|-
|Andy Scott
|2004/07/20
|2006/02/05
|
- Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
|Lib
|-
|Jim Prentice
|2006/02/06
|2007/08/13
|
- Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
|Con.
|-
|Chuck Strahl
|2007/08/14
|2010/08/05
|
- Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
- Minister of Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
|Con.
|-
|John Duncan
|2010/08/06
|2011/05/17
|
- Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
- Minister of Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
|Con.
|}