Par Martin Papillon
This chapter examines the persistent socio-economic disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, linking them to the historical entanglement of the welfare state with assimilationist policies. This legacy has produced a segmented social policy regime in which Indigenous peoples—particularly First Nations living on reserves and Inuit in remote regions—receive underfunded and jurisdictionally fragmented services. These inequalities are further exacerbated by systemic discrimination and chronic infrastructure deficits. Focusing on health and education, the chapter illustrates how jurisdictional gaps and standardized service models systematically fail to address the distinct needs and priorities of Indigenous communities. It then analyzes recent developments in child welfare policy framed by the language of reconciliation that signal a shift toward needs-based funding, substantive equality, and the recognition of Indigenous self-determination. While these initiatives represent important steps forward, their impact remains constrained by top-down implementation approaches and persistent federal-provincial tensions. The chapter concludes that meaningful reconciliation in social policy requires a fundamental transformation of intergovernmental relations and institutional practices—one that positions Indigenous nations as equal partners with the authority to define and deliver social programs in accordance with their own understandings of well-being.