1) Poorer health
- Poorer health.
- Lower levels of education.
- Inadequate housing and crowded living conditions.
- Lower income levels.
- Higher rates of unemployment.
- Higher levels of incarceration.
- Higher death rate among children and youth due unintentional injuries.
- Higher rates of suicide.
Indigenous Communities in Canada, (First Nations, Metis & Intuit) want the right to self-determination and self-governance, better education for their children, improved drinking water and an overall improvement of the standard of living in their communities. We can only build a better Canada, TOGETHER!
Between mid-March and May 2020, the Government of Canada committed a total of $90 million in funding, through the Indigenous Community Support Fund, to help Indigenous organizations and communities provide support to First Nations living off reserve and urban Indigenous Peoples during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The poverty of First Nations has been the result of being stripped of their lands, their traditional livelihoods, and cultures, and having been placed on less valuable lands as reserves, as well as serious lack of educational opportunities (Neu & Therrien, 2003).
How can I show my respect?
- Learn about Aboriginal culture, for example by reading texts written by Aboriginal authors.
- Resist the urge to propose solutions for Aboriginal issues, but rather listen deeply.
- Ask questions during workshops or cultural events you visit.
- Avoid stereotypes.
- Consult, consult, consult.
Here are some Indigenous charities and organisations you may consider supporting:
- Healing Foundation.
- The Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
- The Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)
- ANTaR.
- Yalari.
- Justice for David Dungay Junior.
- Justice for Yuendumu: Inquiry on Police Shooting.
In general, Indigenous people in Canada are required to pay taxes on the same basis as other people in Canada, except where the limited exemption under Section 87 of the Indian Act applies. Section 87 says that the "personal property of an Indian or a band situated on a reserve" is tax exempt.
Well, under the Indian Act, First Nations people do not own their own land, instead it's held for them by the government. Because of this policy, First Nations people who currently live on reserve do not enjoy the same property rights as every other Canadian.
Between 1760 and 1923, the British Crown signed 56 land treaties with Aboriginal Peoples. Part of the protocol was to award a medal to the chiefs who signed certain treaties. According to these documents, native groups surrendered all of their rights to the land in exchange for small reserves and meagre compensation.
3.0 The Indian Reserve Land Base in CanadaTotal land base of these 2267 reserves is approximately 2.6 million hectares or 0.2 percent of the total land area of Canada.
Inuit is the contemporary term for "Eskimo". First Nation is the contemporary term for "Indian". Inuit are "Aboriginal" or "First Peoples", but are not "First Nations", because "First Nations" are Indians. Inuit are not Indians.
With the Amerindians' loss of their land came the loss of their former fishing, hunting and gathering grounds. They received in exchange land that became known as Indian reserves.
However, historians disagree over the pre-contact demography of Canada. Only a few years ago, scholars spoke with confidence of a probable 100,000 Aboriginals in what became Canada, but now moderate estimates suggests that there were three to five times that number in the Pacific Northwest alone.
Canada's first people used at least 53 different languages. Each group referred to themselves by a specific name in their own language. For instance, the Inuit - colloquially know for years as Eskimos - have always referred to themselves as Inuit - the People. Or in the singular as an Inuk - a person.
Watchers of Canadian real estate prices won't be surprised the most affluent place in Canada is West Vancouver, with an average household net worth of $4.5 million.
The largest of the Indian groups is the Cree, which includes some 120,000 people. In Canada the word Indian has a legal definition given in the Indian Act of 1876.
Budget 2019 represents the next step in the ongoing path towards reconciliation and a better future for Indigenous peoples, Northerners and all Canadians. It builds on significant investments for Indigenous peoples of $16.8 billion provided in the last 3 budgets.
Any individual can self-identify as an Aboriginal person if they believe they are related to, or descended from, the Original peoples of Canada.
Colonialism remains embedded in the legal, political and economic context of Canada today. This is the case despite stated political commitments to “reconciliation,” constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights, and past court victories by Indigenous peoples.
Like any other resident, First Nations people and Inuit access these insured services through provincial and territorial governments. 6 Non-status First Nation and Métis people do not receive any health care benefits from the federal government.
For example, Indian is now considered offensive and has been replaced by First Nations. And we are hearing the term Indigenous more and more in Canada. It is being used synonymously with Aboriginal, and in many cases it is the preferred term as the collective noun for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
Why is reconciliation important? The reconciliation process is important for all Canadians because it's about the basics of how we treat each other as fellow human beings and the kind of relationships and communities we want to build for the future.
The TRC definition of reconciliation: “. . . Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country.
10 ways to be a genuine ally to Indigenous communities
- What does it mean to be a genuine ally?
- Listen to and follow the community.
- Centre the stories around community.
- Know the historical and cultural context.
- Never show up empty-handed.
- Always seek consent and permission.
- Be responsible for yourself.
- Know when to step back.
It is possible to reconcile and give the relationship another fair shot, especially if couples practice open communication and employ the help of a therapist. Open communication with your ex will allow you to understand where they stand in regard to reconciliation.
The TRC is a component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential Schools (IRS). The Commission will document the truth of survivors, families, communities and anyone personally affected by the IRS experience.
Reconciliation. It has been a buzzword ever since the 2015 release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) report. In the years following, the term reconciliation has occupied an ever-increasing space in Canadian dialogue.
