Pimaatisiwin-Native.ppt

Aboriginal Advisory Group for Best Start Toronto Presentation for Toronto Best Start Network June 19, 2008 Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Identity refers to Inuit Metis First Nations on-reserve First Nations off-reserve The Future is Now “We will raise a generation of First Nations, Inuit and Metis children and youth who do not have to recover from their childhoods. It starts now, with all our strength, courage, wisdom and commitment.” * *Declaration of Many Hands, One Dream: New Perspectives on the Health of First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children and Youth (Blackstock, Bruyere, Moreau, 2005) History First Nations have a historical relationship with the Government of Canada as founding members of Confederation This set of rights is held in the Constitution of Canada, section 35 which was repatriated in 1981 and passed into law in 1982…..as such the First Nations are not a minority ethnic group in this country. There are specific Indigenous rights that no Canadian citizen can claim. Historical Context The protection of these rights, the exercise of these rights, the enhancement of Indigenous languages and the diverse cultures of the First Nations is and always will be a priority in any development issue. Assault Against First Nations Colonization 1492-2008 Military intervention against First Nations Biological warfare Genocide as a government policy Industrial schools in the early 1900’s Residential schools from 1920-1980 Sixties Scoop of Aboriginal children from their families and First Nations communities for adoption in the US and Canada Poverty Continued social policies of neglect are evident in Aboriginal child poverty 40% of urban Aboriginal children live in poverty 60% of the Aboriginal population is under the age of 30 years Highest rates of teen suicide, highest rates of incarceration, birth rates are 4X the national average Lowest educational attainment levels Aboriginal peoples occupy the lowest position of income level in the entire Canadian populati