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Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (Canada)

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The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is the Minister of the Crown

Minister of the Crown

Minister of the Crown is the formal constitutional term used in the Commonwealth realms to describe a minister to the reigning sovereign. The term indicates that the minister serves at His/Her Majesty's pleasure, and advises the monarch, or viceroy, on how to exercise the Crown prerogatives...

in the Canadian Cabinet

Cabinet of Canada

The Cabinet of Canada is a body of ministers of the Crown that, along with the Canadian monarch, and within the tenets of the Westminster system, forms the government of Canada...

who heads two different departments. The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is responsible for overseeing the corresponding federal government department (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada), administering the Indian Act and other legislation dealing with "Indians and lands reserved for the Indians" under subsection 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867. As the Minister of Northern Development he is responsible for supervising federal involvement in the territorial governments of the Yukon

Yukon

Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....

, Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...

and Nunavut

Nunavut

Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...

.

Until May 18, 2011, the position was known as the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The title was changed in order to make it more up to date and inclusive.

History

A Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs was in the Canadian cabinet from 1867 until 1936 when the Minister of Mines and Resources became responsible for native affairs. In 1950 the Indian Affairs branch was transferred to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Canada)

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing the federal government department responsible for immigration, refugee and citizenship issues, Citizenship and Immigration Canada...

, who had responsibility for "status Indians" until the creation of the position of Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in 1966.

Before 1966 the Northern Development portions of the portfolio were the responsibility of the Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources.

Until amendments to the Indian Act in 1985 restored Indian status to many people whose status had been revoked for discriminatory reasons, about half of the persons claiming to be Indians were entitled to be registered as Indians under the Indian Act and to receive the benefits reserved for registered Indians under the Act. The people to whom status was restored were:

women who married men who were not Status Indians, and their children
people who had, prior to 1961, renounced their Indian status so they could vote in federal elections, and their children
people whose mother and paternal grandmother did not have status before marriage (these people lost status at 21), and their children
people who had been born out of wedlock of mothers with status and fathers without, and their children.

Over 100,000 people have had their Indian status restored as a result of these changes.

A 1983 Commons Committee recommended that Indian or First Nations communities be allowed to write their own membership code provided that the code did not violate fundamental human rights. A second report from the 1983 Penner Committee recommended the gradual abolition of the office of Minister of Indian Affairs and a transfer of responsibility for their own affairs to First Nations communities. Proposed changes died on the House of Commons order paper

Order Paper

The Order Paper is a daily publication in the Westminster system of government which lists the business of parliament for that day's sitting. A separate paper is issued daily for each house of the legislature....

and have not been re-introduced.

As of July 2004, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has been assigned the role of Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

The position of Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians was created in 1985 as a portfolio in the Canadian Cabinet. As the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is officially responsible only for Status Indians and largely with those living on Indian reserves, the new...

concurrently.

Acts

The Minister has responsibilities, wholly or partially, under a number of Acts:(list may not be complete)

Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act R.S., 1985, c. A-12
British Columbia Indian Cut-off Lands Settlement Act — 1984, c. 2
British Columbia Indian Reserves Mineral Resources Act — 1943-44, c. 19
British Columbia Treaty Commission Act — 1995, c. 45

Canada Petroleum Resources Act — R.S., 1985, c. 36 (2nd Supp.)
Canada-Yukon Oil and Gas Accord Implementation Act — 1998, c. 5
Canadian Polar Commission Act — 1991, c. 6

Caughnawaga Indian Reserve Act — 1934, c. 29
Claim Settlements (Alberta and Saskatchewan)Implementation Act — 2002, c-3
Condominium Ordinance Validation Act— 1985, c. 46

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act — 1984, c. 18
Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Act — R.S., 1985, c. I-6
Dominion Water Power Act, — R.S., 1985, c. W-4

First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act — 2005, c. 53
First Nations Jurisdiction over Education in British Columbia Act — 2006, c. 10
First Nations Land Management Act — 1999, c. 24

First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act — 2005, c. 48
Fort Nelson Indian Reserve Minerals Revenue Sharing Act — 1980-81-82-83, c. 38
Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement Act — 1986, c. 23

Gwich’in Land Claim Settlement Act — 1992, c. 53
Indian Act — R.S., 1985, c. I-5
Indian Lands Agreement Act (1986) — 1988, c. 39

Indian Oil and Gas Act — R.S., 1985, c. I-7
Kanesatake Interim Land Base Governance Act — 2001, c. 8
Kelowna Accord Implementation Act 2008, c. 23

Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act — 2005, c. 27
Lands Surveys Act, Canada — R.S., 1985, c. L-6 Part III
Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act — 1998, c. 25

Manitoba Claim Settlements Implementation Act — 2000, c. 33
Mi’kmaq Education Act — 1998, c. 24
Natural Resources Transfer (School Lands) Amendments, (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) (see also School Lands) — 1960-61, c. 62

Nelson House First Nation Flooded Land Act — 1997, c. 29
New Brunswick Indian Reserves Agreement — 1959, c. 47
Northwest Territories Act — R.S., 1985, c. N-27

Northwest Territories Waters Act — 1992, c. 39
Nova Scotia Indian Reserves Agreement — 1959, c. 50
Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act — 2008, c. 2
Nunavut Act — 1993, c. 28
Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act — 1993, c. 29
Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act — 2002, c. 10

Oil and Gas Operations Act, Canada — R.S., 1985, c. O-7
Pictou Landing Indian Band Agreement Act — 1995, c. 4
Sahtu Dene and Metis Land Claim Settlement Act — 1994, c. 27

St. Peters Indian Reserve Act — 1916, c. 24
St. Regis Islands Act — 1926-27, c. 37
Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Act — 1993, c. 11

Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act — 1986, c. 27
Songhees Indian Reserve Act — 1911, c. 24
Specific Claims Tribunal Act 2008, c. 22

Split Lake Cree First Nation Flooded Land Act — 1994, c. 42
Territorial Lands Act — R.S., 1985, c. T-7
Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Act — 2005, c. 1

Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act — 2008, c. 32
Westbank First Nation Self-Government Act — 2004, c. 17
Western Arctic (Inuvialuit) Claims Settlement Act — 1984, c. 24
York Factory First Nation Flooded Land Act — 1997, c. 28

Yukon Act — 2002, c. 7
Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act — 2003, c. 7
Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act — 1994, c. 35

Boards, Commissions and Other Responsibilities

The Minister is also the lead Minister or responsible Minister for:

Canadian Polar Commission
Canadian Polar Commission
The Canadian Polar Commission is a Canadian government agency of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada responsible for monitoring, promoting, and disseminating knowledge of the polar regions; contributing to public awareness of the importance of polar science to Canada; enhancing Canada's...
Corporation for the Mitigation of Mackenzie Gas Project Impacts
First Nations Statistical Institute
Indian Oil and Gas Canada
Northwest Territories Commissioner
Northwest Territories Water Board
Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board
Contract for Implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement
Nunavut Commissioner
Nunavut Impact Review Board
Nunavut Planning Commission
Nunavut Water Board
Yukon Territory Commissioner
Yukon Water Board

Superintendents-General of Indian Affairs (1878 - 1936)

1.	Hector Louis Langevin	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	May 22, 1868 – December 7, 1869
2.	Joseph Howe Joseph Howe Joseph Howe, PC was a Nova Scotian journalist, politician, and public servant. He is one of Nova Scotia's greatest and best-loved politicians...	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	December 8, 1869 – May 6, 1873
3.	James Cox Aikins James Cox Aikins James Cox Aikins, PC was a prominent Canadian politician in the 19th century. He twice served as a cabinet minister in the government of Sir John A. Macdonald, and was the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba from 1882 to 1888.-Early life and career:Aikins was born in Toronto Township, Upper... (acting)	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	May 7, 1873 – June 13, 1873
4.	Thomas Nicholson Gibbs Thomas Nicholson Gibbs Thomas Nicholson Gibbs, PC was a Canadian parliamentarian.Born in Terrebonne, Lower Canada , the eldest son of Thomas Gibbs and Caroline Tate, his family moved to Oshawa, Upper Canada in 1832...	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	June 14, 1873 – June 30, 1873
5.	Alexander Campbell Alexander Campbell (Canadian politician) Sir Alexander Campbell, PC, KCMG, QC was an English-born, Canadian statesman and politician, and a father of Canadian Confederation....	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	July 1, 1873 – November 5, 1873
6.	David Laird David Laird David Laird, PC was the first resident Lieutenant Governor of Northwest Territories, Canada. He was the fifth Lieutenant Governor in charge of the territory....	Cabinet of Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie, PC , a building contractor and newspaper editor, was the second Prime Minister of Canada from November 7, 1873 to October 8, 1878.-Biography:...	November 7, 1873 – October 6, 1876
7.	Richard William Scott Richard William Scott Sir Richard William Scott, PC, KC was a Canadian politician and cabinet minister.He was born in Prescott, Ontario in 1825. A lawyer by training, Scott was admitted to the bar in 1848 and established a practice in Bytown... (acting)	Cabinet of Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie, PC , a building contractor and newspaper editor, was the second Prime Minister of Canada from November 7, 1873 to October 8, 1878.-Biography:...	October 7, 1876 – October 23, 1876
8.	David Mills David Mills (Canadian politician) David Mills, PC was a Canadian politician, author, poet and jurist.He was born in Palmyra, in southwestern Ontario. His father, Nathaniel Mills, was one of the first settlers in the area. Mills served as superintendent of schools for Kent County from 1856 to 1865...	Cabinet of Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie, PC , a building contractor and newspaper editor, was the second Prime Minister of Canada from November 7, 1873 to October 8, 1878.-Biography:...	October 24, 1876 – October 8, 1878
9.	Sir John A. Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	October 17, 1878 – October 2, 1887
10.	Thomas White Thomas White (Canadian politician) Thomas White, was a Canadian journalist and politician.He was born in Montreal, Lower Canada in 1830, the son of Thomas White, a leather merchant who came to Canada from Ireland in 1826. White worked at a number of jobs before entering the printing trade with the Queen's Printer in Toronto around...	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	October 3, 1887 – April 21, 1888
11.	Sir John A. Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century... (acting)	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	May 8, 1888 – September 24, 1888
12.	Edgar Dewdney Edgar Dewdney Edgar Dewdney, PC was a Canadian politician born in Devonshire, England. He served as Lieutenant Governor of the North-West Territories and the fifth Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.-Early life and career:...	Cabinet of Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...	September 25, 1888 – June 6, 1891
13.	Edgar Dewdney Edgar Dewdney Edgar Dewdney, PC was a Canadian politician born in Devonshire, England. He served as Lieutenant Governor of the North-West Territories and the fifth Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.-Early life and career:...	Cabinet of Abbott	June 16, 1891 – October 16, 1892
14.	Thomas Mayne Daly Thomas Mayne Daly Thomas Mayne Daly, was a Canadian politician.Born in Stratford, Canada West , the son of Thomas Mayne Daly and Helen McLaren Daly, his father was a member of the Canadian House of Commons for the riding of Perth North.He was educated as a lawyer and was called to the Bar of Upper Canada in 1876...	Cabinet of Abbott	October 17, 1892 – November 24, 1892
15.	Thomas Mayne Daly Thomas Mayne Daly Thomas Mayne Daly, was a Canadian politician.Born in Stratford, Canada West , the son of Thomas Mayne Daly and Helen McLaren Daly, his father was a member of the Canadian House of Commons for the riding of Perth North.He was educated as a lawyer and was called to the Bar of Upper Canada in 1876...	Cabinet of Thompson	December 5, 1892 – December 12, 1894
16.	Thomas Mayne Daly Thomas Mayne Daly Thomas Mayne Daly, was a Canadian politician.Born in Stratford, Canada West , the son of Thomas Mayne Daly and Helen McLaren Daly, his father was a member of the Canadian House of Commons for the riding of Perth North.He was educated as a lawyer and was called to the Bar of Upper Canada in 1876...	Cabinet of Bowell Mackenzie Bowell Sir Mackenzie Bowell, PC, KCMG was a Canadian politician who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Canada from December 21, 1894 to April 27, 1896.-Early life:Bowell was born in Rickinghall, Suffolk, England to John Bowell and Elizabeth Marshall...	December 21, 1894 – April 27, 1896
17.	Hugh John Macdonald Hugh John Macdonald Sir Hugh John Macdonald, PC was the only surviving son of the first Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John A. Macdonald, and was a politician in his own right, serving as a member of the Canadian House of Commons and a federal cabinet minister, and briefly as the eighth Premier of Manitoba.-Early...	Cabinet of Tupper Charles Tupper Sir Charles Tupper, 1st Baronet, GCMG, CB, PC was a Canadian father of Confederation: as the Premier of Nova Scotia from 1864 to 1867, he led Nova Scotia into Confederation. He later went on to serve as the sixth Prime Minister of Canada, sworn in to office on May 1, 1896, seven days after...	May 1, 1896 – July 8, 1896
18.	Richard William Scott Richard William Scott Sir Richard William Scott, PC, KC was a Canadian politician and cabinet minister.He was born in Prescott, Ontario in 1825. A lawyer by training, Scott was admitted to the bar in 1848 and established a practice in Bytown... (acting)	Cabinet of Laurier Wilfrid Laurier Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911....	July 17, 1896 – November 16, 1896
19.	Clifford Sifton Clifford Sifton Sir Clifford Sifton, PC, KCMG was a Canadian politician best known for being Minister of the Interior under Sir Wilfrid Laurier...	Cabinet of Laurier Wilfrid Laurier Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911....	November 17, 1896 – February 28, 1905
20.	Sir Wilfrid Laurier Wilfrid Laurier Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911.... (acting)	Cabinet of Laurier Wilfrid Laurier Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911....	March 13, 1905 – April 7, 1905
21.	Frank Oliver	Cabinet of Laurier Wilfrid Laurier Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911....	April 8, 1905 – October 6, 1911
22.	Robert Rogers	Cabinet of Borden	October 10, 1911 – October 28, 1912
23.	William James Roche William James Roche William James Roche, PC was a Canadian politician and Conservative Member of Parliament for the Manitoba riding of Marquette in the Canadian House of Commons from 1896 to 1917....	Cabinet of Borden	October 29, 1912 – October 12, 1917
24.	Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding...	Cabinet of Borden	October 12, 1917 – July 10, 1920
25.	Sir James Alexander Lougheed James Alexander Lougheed Sir James Alexander Lougheed, KCMG, PC, QC was a businessman and politician from Alberta, Canada.-Early Life:Lougheed was born in Brampton, Canada West, to Irish Protestant parents. The family moved to Weston, Canada West , when Lougheed was a child, and he attended King Street Public School Sir...	Cabinet of Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding...	July 10, 1920 – December 29, 1921
26.	Charles Stewart	Cabinet of King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...	December 29, 1921 – June 28, 1926
27.	Henry Herbert Stevens Henry Herbert Stevens Henry Herbert Stevens, PC was a Canadian politician and businessman. A member of R.B. Bennett's cabinet, he split with the Conservative Prime Minister to found the Reconstruction Party of Canada.-Early life:... (acting)	Cabinet of Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding...	June 29, 1926 – July 12, 1926
28.	Richard Bedford Bennett (acting)	Cabinet of Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding...	July 13, 1926 – September 25, 1926
29.	Charles Stewart	Cabinet of King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...	September 26, 1926 – June 26, 1930
30.	Ian Alistair Mackenzie Ian Alistair Mackenzie Ian Alistair Mackenzie, PC was a Canadian parliamentarian.Born in Assynt, Scotland, Mackenzie entered politics by winning a seat in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 1920 BC election...	Cabinet of King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...	June 27, 1930 – August 7, 1930
31.	Thomas Gerow Murphy Thomas Gerow Murphy Thomas Gerow Murphy, PC was a Canadian politician.Born in Northumberland County, Ontario, he was a pharmacist before being elected to the Canadian House of Commons representing the Manitoba riding of Neepawa in the 1925 federal election. A Conservative, he was defeated in the 1926 election by...	Cabinet of Bennett	August 7, 1930 – October 23, 1935
32.	Thomas Alexander Crerar	Cabinet of King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...	October 23, 1935 – November 30, 1936

Ministers responsible for Indian Affairs (Minister of the Interior, Minister of Mines) 1936-1950

Thomas Alexander Crerar	December 1, 1936 - April 17, 1945	under Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...
James Allison Glen James Allison Glen James Allison Glen, PC was a Canadian parliamentarian and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1940 to 1945....	April 18, 1945 - June 10, 1948
James Angus MacKinnon James Angus MacKinnon James Angus MacKinnon, was a Canadian politician.Born in Port Elgin, Ontario, he was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons representing the riding of Edmonton West in the 1935 federal election. A Liberal, he was re-elected in 1940 and 1945...	June 10, 1948 - November 15, 1948
James Angus MacKinnon James Angus MacKinnon James Angus MacKinnon, was a Canadian politician.Born in Port Elgin, Ontario, he was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons representing the riding of Edmonton West in the 1935 federal election. A Liberal, he was re-elected in 1940 and 1945...	November 15, 1948 - March 31, 1949	under Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent Louis St. Laurent Louis Stephen St. Laurent, PC, CC, QC , was the 12th Prime Minister of Canada from 15 November 1948, to 21 June 1957....
Colin William George Gibson	April 1, 1949 - January 17, 1950

Ministers responsible for Indian Affairs (Minister of Citizenship) 1950-1964

1.	Walter Harris Walter Harris Walter Edward Harris, PC, QC was a Canadian politician and lawyer.Harris was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons as the Liberal Member of Parliament for the Ontario riding of Grey-Bruce in the 1940 election defeating Agnes MacPhail...	January 18, 1950 - June 30, 1954	Cabinet of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent Louis St. Laurent Louis Stephen St. Laurent, PC, CC, QC , was the 12th Prime Minister of Canada from 15 November 1948, to 21 June 1957....
2.	Jack Pickersgill Jack Pickersgill John Whitney "Jack" Pickersgill, PC, CC was a Canadian civil servant and politician. He was born in Ontario, but was raised in Manitobia. He was the Clerk for the Canadian Government's Privy Council in the early 1950s...	July 1, 1954 - June 21, 1957
*	E. Davie Fulton (Acting)	June 21, 1957 - May 11, 1958	Cabinet of Prime Minister John George Diefenbaker
3.	Ellen Fairclough Ellen Fairclough Ellen Louks Fairclough, was the first female member of the Canadian Cabinet.Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Fairclough was a chartered accountant by training, and ran an accounting firm prior to entering politics...	May 12, 1958 - August 8, 1962
4.	Richard Albert Bell	August 9, 1962 - April 22, 1963
5.	Guy Favreau Guy Favreau Guy Favreau, PC, QC, was a Canadian lawyer, politician and judge.Born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Léopold Favreau and Béatrice Gagnon, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts and an LL.B. from the Université de Montréal. He was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1940. He worked as a lawyer in Montreal...	April 22, 1963 - February 2, 1964	Cabinet of Prime Minister Lester Pearson
6.	René Tremblay René Tremblay René Tremblay, PC was a Canadian politician.Born in Luceville, Quebec, he was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons representing the riding of Matapédia—Matane in the 1963 federal election. A Liberal, he was re-elected in 1965. From 1963 to 1964, he was a Minister without Portfolio...	February 3, 1964 - February 14, 1965
7.	John Robert Nicholson John Robert Nicholson John Robert "Jack" Nicholson, was a Canadian lawyer, businessman, politician and the 21st Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia....	February 15, 1965 - December 17, 1965
8.	Jean Marchand Jean Marchand Jean Marchand, PC, CC was a well known French Canadian public figure, trade unionist and politician in Quebec, Canada....	December 18, 1965 - September 30, 1966

Ministers of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (1966 - 2011)

1.	Arthur Laing Arthur Laing Arthur Laing, PC was a Canadian politician. He was a Liberal Member of the Canadian House of Commons from Vancouver, British Columbia....	October 1, 1966 - April 20, 1968	Cabinet of Prime Minister Lester Pearson
1.		April 20, 1968 - July 5, 1968	Cabinet of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau Pierre Trudeau Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
2.	Jean Chrétien Jean Chrétien Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....	July 5, 1968 - August 7, 1974
3.	J. Judd Buchanan	August 8, 1974 - September 13, 1976
4.	Warren Allmand Warren Allmand William Warren Allmand, is a former Canadian Liberal Party Member of Parliament and was a Cabinet member from 1972 to 1979....	September 14, 1976 - September 15, 1977
5.	James Hugh Faulkner	September 16, 1977 - June 3, 1979
6.	Jake Epp Jake Epp Arthur Jacob "Jake" Epp, PC, OC is an executive and former Canadian politician.Born into a Mennonite family in Manitoba, Jake Epp was a high school history teacher in Steinbach, Manitoba before entering politics...	June 4, 1979 - March 2, 1980	Cabinet of Prime Minister Joe Clark Joe Clark Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
7.	John Munro	March 3, 1980 - June 29, 1984	Cabinet of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau Pierre Trudeau Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
8.	Doug Frith Doug Frith Douglas Cockburn Frith, PC was a Canadian politician. He represented the riding of Sudbury in the Canadian House of Commons from 1980 to 1988 as a member of the Liberal Party...	June 30, 1984 - September 16, 1984	Cabinet of Prime Minister John Turner John Turner John Napier Wyndham Turner, PC, CC, QC is an English Canadian lawyer and retired politician, who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Canada from June 30 to September 17, 1984....
9.	David Crombie	September 17, 1984 - June 29, 1986	Cabinet of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney Brian Mulroney Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
10.	Bill McKnight Bill McKnight The Honourable William Hunter "Bill" McKnight, PC is a former Canadian politician who now serves as the Treaty Commissioner for the Province of Saskatchewan.-Biography:...	June 30, 1986 - January 29, 1989
11.	Pierre Cadieux Pierre Cadieux Pierre H. Cadieux, PC is a lawyer and former Canadian politician.Born in Hudson, Quebec, Cadieux was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons as the Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil, Quebec in the 1984 federal election that brought Brian Mulroney to power.In 1986,...	January 30, 1989 - February 22, 1990
12.	Tom Siddon Tom Siddon Thomas Edward "Tom" Siddon, PC is a Canadian politician.Born in Drumheller, Alberta Siddon pursued engineering, eventually earning a doctorate in aeroacoustics. He became a professor at the University of British Columbia and founded a successful aero-acoustics firm, Siddon-Harford & Associates...	February 23, 1990 - June 24, 1993
13.	Pauline Browes Pauline Browes Pauline Browes, PC is a Canadian politician. She was a Member of Parliament between 1984 and 1993.An educator by training, Browes was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons as the Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre in the 1984 federal election that brought...	June 25, 1993 - November 3, 1993	Cabinet of Prime Minister Kim Campbell Kim Campbell Avril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993...
14.	Ron Irwin Ron Irwin Ronald A. Irwin, PC, CM, QC is a Canadian diplomat and former politician.Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Irwin earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University. While at the University of Western Ontario he...	November 4, 1993 - June 10, 1997	Cabinet of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien Jean Chrétien Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
15.	Jane Stewart	June 11, 1997 - August 2, 1999
16.	Bob Nault Bob Nault Robert Daniel "Bob" Nault, PC is a former Canadian politician.A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, Nault served as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in the cabinet of Jean Chrétien from 1999 to 2003....	August 3, 1999 - December 11, 2003
17.	Andy Mitchell	December 12, 2003 - July 19, 2004	Cabinet of Prime Minister Paul Martin Paul Martin Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
18.	Andy Scott	July 20, 2004 - February 5, 2006
19.	Jim Prentice Jim Prentice James "Jim" Prentice, PC, QC is a Canadian lawyer, and politician. In the 2004 federal election he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a candidate of the Conservative Party of Canada...	February 6, 2006 - August 14, 2007	Cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper Stephen Harper Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
20.	Chuck Strahl Chuck Strahl Charles Strahl, PC, MP was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. He was a Member of Parliament in the governing Conservative Party of Canada.-Before politics:...	August 14, 2007 - August 6, 2010
21.	John Morris Duncan	August 6, 2010 – May 18, 2011

Prior to 1966, responsibilities for the Indian Affairs portion of this portfolio fell under the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Canada)

(List), and the Northern Development portion under the Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources (List).

Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (2011 - present)

1.	John Morris Duncan	May 18, 2011 - present	Cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper Stephen Harper Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...

On May 18, 2011, the minister's title was changed from Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.