Why We Do What We Do
When confronted with the reality being experienced in First Nations communities, we were appalled that these problems existed in Canada. We believe firmly that these problems stem from the tragedy of the Residential School System which was imposed on First Nations families for so many years. As Canadians, we can only feel ashamed of this part of our history and now need to be the “hands and feet” of Prime Minister Harper’s apology to our native brothers and sisters. We need to take collective responsibility for the dysfunction being experienced in families that were robbed of their children and their childhoods. We need to be neighbours and forge friendships that can reach across the barriers of hurt and distrust.
The statistics speak for themselves and challenged us to get involved in making a difference in people’s lives.
What are some of the struggles/problems being experienced in the First Nations population?
Foster Care
“Aboriginal children are overrepresented in Ontario’s child welfare system where they account for approximately 17 per cent of the caseload, yet only account for about three per cent of all children in the province. If you are a First Nations child, you have a 24 times higher chance of being in foster care.
Suicide
Suicide rates among youths are five to six times higher than the national average. The Toronto Star Education Reporter, Louise Brown wrote an article that was printed on Mar. 24, 2006, “Residential schools cast long shadow”. The subtitle was “Where suicide lives: A plague of teen deaths is stalking northern Ontario reserves”.
“In the world, Canada always portrays itself as No. 1 for quality of life and health. But at the reserve level, it’s 62nd – it’s Third World conditions” says Louise Elliott, Canadian Press, in an article written November 27, 2000.
Substance Abuse
Alcoholism rates reach up to 90 percent in some communities. In the fly-in communities which are “dry”, prescription drug abuse has become rampant. Glen Coulthard of the University of Alberta states, “60% of all Aboriginals who commit suicide are acutely intoxicated at the time. This compares to 24% for non-Aboriginal suicides”.
Mental Disorder
Up to one quarter of children have a mental disorder, five times higher than the overall Canadian population. “…they receive only a fraction of the money for special education services, despite having almost four times as many students who need them” reports Doug Acton, president of the Ontario Principals’ Council.
School Drop-Out
High school drop-out rates for Aboriginal students are up to 75% and can be even higher on fly-in reserves. Doug Acton, president of the Ontario Principals’ Council reports that “Their (northern Ontario First Nation students in the Nishnabi-Aski area) dropout rate is twice the national average”.
Smoking
“More than half of the Aboriginal population in Ontario smokes, compared to 20 per cent in the population as a whole”, says the Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs in a report called “Ontario’s New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs” Spring 2005.
Unemployment
Unemployment rates can reach as high as 80-90% on remote, fly-in reserves, where there are no possibilities of jobs. A life on welfare is the only option for the majority of people.
Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is becoming an epidemic in the First Nations population, according to Health Canada, and has now been seen in children as young as 7 years of age. If you are a First Nations woman 50 years of age or older you have more than an 80% chance of having diabetes.