"Designed to renew the relationship between the Canadian government and the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, this action plan contains a statement of reconciliation, a statement of renewal, and four key objectives for action. First, renewing partnerships includes community-based healing to address the negative effects of the residential schools system, a focus on the historical federal-Aboriginal treaty relationship, recognition of the importance of Aboriginal participation in program design and delivery, restructuring of federal institutions, support for an Aboriginal languages program, a public education campaign to increase understanding of Aboriginal issues, and a more coordinated approach to helping urban Aboriginal people. Second, strengthening Aboriginal governance involves recognizing existing Aboriginal governments and the right to self-government, building capacity for governance through professional development, affirming and commemorating treaties, cost-sharing on Metis enumeration, and facilitating participation of women in self-government. Third, developing a new fiscal relationship with Aboriginal governments and institutions includes improved revenue generating and data collection mechanisms, strong accountability, and training. Fourth, supporting strong communities includes increasing housing, water, sewer, health, youth, and police services; reforming education in partnership with First Nations; increasing Aboriginal business access to capital and markets; and reducing Aboriginal welfare dependence. A final section on Northern initiatives explains why the environment for Aboriginal policy in the North is different than in southern Canada and how the four objectives of the action plan are expected to be implemented there. (TD)"--abstract.