January 2012
8th Fire: Aboriginal peoples, Canada and the Way Forward
Starting January 12, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is launching its series, 8th Fire: Aboriginal Peoples, Canada and the Way Forward, introducing audiences to a new generation of Aboriginal people who are working to redefine the relationship with Canadians after a 500-year history of conflict, colonialism and denial. CBC will launch the 8th Fire series on CBC-TV and on CBC Radio One starting January 12, featuring dispatches from a team of Aboriginal storytellers from across the country. Nearly 40 stories are featured on the CBC website, with new content to be added daily. The radio series opens with: Fathers without Fathers: Aboriginal Men in Canada on The Current, January 12.Visit CBC for more - inlcuding maps, profiles, questions and answers, and an "Aboriginal 101" primer. See also: "Blind Spot: What Happened to Canada's Aboriginal Fathers?" - a CBC Saskatchewan news documentary to air on CBC TV January 14 that notes half of Aboriginal children will grow up without fathers in the next decade.
November 2011
Canada to spend $20 million to address climate change adaptation for northern and Aboriginal communities
Nov. 21, 2011
The First Perspective - The federal government plans to invest $20 million over the next five years in climate change adaptation for northern and Aboriginal communities. The investment builds on the three-year-old Climate Change Adaptation program, even as public infrastructure and housing in the Far North are deteroriating and disruptions to northern wildlife are affecting the livelihood of many of the region's inhabitants. See The First Perspective and The Hill Times.
New national framework to address substance abuse among First Nations
Nov. 9, 2011
Vancouver Sun - An overwhelming number of Aboriginal people polled in a national survey reported alcohol and drug abuse to be the biggest problem facing their community - well ahead of concerns about lack of adequate housing and unemployment. And this week a coalition of the Assembly of First Nations, the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation and Health Canada announced a national framework, Honouring Our Strengths, to address substance use among Canada's First Nations people.
Carol Hopkins, executive director of the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, said a poll conducted between 2008 and 2010, showed almost 83 per cent of respondents believed substance abuse to be the main barrier to community wellness. "They put that ahead of unemployment and housing, which are also major issues," said Hopkins. She was speaking at the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse National Conference, Issues of Substance, in Vancouver.
Across the country there are 58 First Nations treatment centres, more than 550 community-based prevention programs and about 1,000 treatment counselors and community-based workers dealing with substance-abuse problems. Hopkins said the new national framework will take into account the role of culture in treatment. Read more. View press release; see report summary; download full report. For more, please visit NNAPF.
Aboriginal education holds key to Saskatchewan economy: report
Nov. 9, 2011
CBC - A new report says Saskatchewan could create an economic boom if the province's Aboriginal population were better educated. The report, by University of Saskatchewan economist Eric Howe for the Gabriel Dumont Institute, says increasing the educational credentials of Aboriginal people would allow them to move further into the economic mainstream and create a potential $90-billion boom. See CBC; also Regina Leader-Post; visit Gabriel Dumont Institute to access the report.
October 2011
RCMP spells out its role in native residential schools
October 29, 2011
The RCMP presented a report that documents the force's involvement in Canada's infamous native residential schools to the federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which concluded hearings at its Atlantic National Event in Halifax on October 29. The report said the police acted on behalf of the federal government to track down children who had run away from the schools and to tell parents they had to send their children to the schools. However, the researchers said the police generally weren't aware of abuse, which is defined in the report as "improper physical or sexual behaviour and actions that contributed to the loss of cultural roots." The report covers more than 100 years and represents the first complete assessment of the RCMP's involvement in the Indian Residential School system. Read more. See CBC report: "RCMP 'herded' native kids to residential school." The next Truth and Reconciliation Commission National Event will be held in June in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Report about Canada's Aboriginal children brought to the United Nations
October 25, 2011
Canada is discriminating against its Indigenous children and failing to meet its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a group of advocates said Monday. The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Kairos, a faith-based organization, are appealing to the UN to hold the federal government accountable for its treatment of First Nations children. Their report, Honouring the Children, says First Nations children on reserves receive less money for health, welfare services and education, and calls on the UN committee to do a special investigation on Canada's compliance with the convention. See press release; CBC article: Ottawa accused of failing Aboriginal children. Download report: Honouring the Children: Shadow Report, 3rd and 4th periodic report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, October 24, 2011.
BC First Nations to set own health policy in landmark agreement
October 13, 2011
Globe and Mail - The federal government is handing off responsibility for First Nations health care in British Columbia to a new Aboriginal authority. The BC First Nations Health Society signed a pact Thursday with federal and provincial health ministers that will transfer authority and resources from Ottawa to the new agency over the next two years. Under the agreement signed Thursday, most acute health-care services will continue to be provided by six health authorities that already exist in BC. The agency will be responsible for a host of on-reserve programs including primary care, mental health and addiction services, and maternal and child health initiatives. See Globe and Mail article; First Nations Health Council for more.
August 2011
Welcoming Aboriginal fathers back in the circle of care - National NCCAH video launched at former residential school
August 24, 2011
Blue Quills First Nations College in Alberta and the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH) in BC launched a documentary film this week that brings new attention in the post-residential school era in Canada to the role of Indigenous fathers in the care of children. The film launch took place during the 40th anniversary celebrations of Blue Quills First Nations College, a former residential school at Saddle Lake near St. Paul, Alberta. In 1970, the institution became the first Indigenous-run school in Canada following peaceful sit-in demonstrations by more than 300 people.
"We are working to recover what has been lost and to reclaim parents' natural place in the lives of their children," said Dr. Patricia Makokis, president of the college. "And we are doing that in ways that ensure Indigenous wisdom and traditional ceremony is central to everything we do.” Read more.
June 2011
Joint panel aims to improve First Nations education
June 22, 2011
Canadian Press - A joint panel will seek public input on improving education outcomes of First Nations children in Canada. The federal government and the Assembly of First Nations are joining forces with the goal of developing new legislation to allow First Nations to pass their own education laws, manage and improve the quality of schooling, and set up regional school roundtables. The AFN states that education funding for each aboriginal child is between $2,000 and $3,000 a year less than for off-reserve children, yet First Nations schools are required to deliver a provincial curriculum by provincially certified teachers. Dozens of First Nations do not have schools, and those that do exist are often in portables without running water, proper insulation, libraries, gyms or textbooks. Prime Minister Stephen Harper committed to take action on improving First Nations education in this month's speech from the throne. The initiative is part of a Canada - First Nations Joint Action Plan (see article) aiming to transform schools, economies and quality of life on reserves across Canada. Learn more. See related article.
Living conditions on reserves worsening - Auditor General
June 9, 2011
The Office of the Auditor General of Canada has found that the education gap between First Nations living on reserves and the general Canadian population has widened, housing is in poor condition and the housing shortage has increased. More than half of the drinking water systems on reserves still pose a significant risk to communities. Progress toward improving conditions on First Nations reserves is unsatisfactory, said John Wiersema, Interim Auditor General of Canada, in the 2011 Status Report. “I am very disappointed that conditions on reserves have worsened and are well below the national average,” said Mr. Wiersema. Media release; Auditor General Report. See news report.
April 2011
Nurses strive to support health needs of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada
April 8, 2011
Two new resources are supporting increased recruitment and retention of Aboriginal nurses in Canada while aiming to eliminate discrimination in the health care system. The Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada released an anthology entitled: The Spirit of Courageous Leaders: Profiles of Aboriginal Nurses, focusing on First Nation, Métis and Inuit nurses who over the span of a century showed "immense will to persevere and triumph" in providing care. The anthology aims to inspire Aboriginal youth to consider careers in nursing, and suggests ways to increase recruitment and retention of health care personnel. A second resource educates students in schools of nursing across Canada about the needs of Aboriginal peoples in the health system. Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety: Curriculum for Aboriginal Peoples was developed in partnership with the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing and the Canadian Nurses Association. It involves six universities and colleges aiming to support their Aboriginal students while bringing a greater understanding of the health needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Visit ANAC to learn more.
Combating Drug Resistance: A Focus of World Health Day
April 4, 2011
The global ability to control infectious diseases like tuberculosis and malaria is at risk as bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms become resistant to standard drug treatments. The World Health Organization is launching an international call to action on World Health Day Thursday, April 7, to halt the spread of antimicrobial resistance that threatens a return to the pre-antibiotic era. Canada is joining the campaign through Antibiotic Awareness Day involving the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases and eight other national partners.
The issue is of key concern for tuberculosis, antimalarial medicines and hospital-acquired infections, as well as an emerging concern for treatment of HIV infections. The World Health Organization has declared TB a global health emergency, and says the emergence of multidrug resistant strains of tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a growing problem. About 440,000 new cases of MDR-TB are reported annually, causing at least 150,000 deaths. In Canada, tuberculosis has reached crisis levels among the Inuit population, and among some First Nations populations. Issues such as overcrowded housing, poverty, and limited access to health care are often cited as key factors, increasing both antibiotic use and the risk of antimcrobial resistance. (See fact sheet: Antimicrobial Resistance in Northern Remote and Aboriginal Communities.)
WHO expects to launch a six-point policy package for all countries to help target such underlying factors such as inadequate national commitment to a comprehensive and coordinated response and insufficient engagement of communities, as well as inadequate surveillance and monitoring systems.
February 2011
Tuberculosis in Nunavut: A Century of Failure
February 14, 2011
Canadian Medical Association Journal - Nunavut has recorded the "largest tuberculosis outbreak in the territory's 10-year history," with at least 100 new active cases documented in 2010, including among adolescents and young adults. In this CMAJ editorial, a team of authors notes that proper public health measures in Nunavut are under-resourced, and that poverty, poor nutrition and a lack of adequate housing are critical factors in the spread of the disease. The authors call on federal and territorial governments to engage with Nunvaut communities to address the current outbreak, and to adopt strategies to address adquate housing, food security and employment. "This is not just Nunvaut's problem - it is Canada's problem." Read more. See related CBC story.
Quebec Cree Revive Traditional Medicine to Cure a Modern Disease and Protect Rights to Traditional Knowledge
Patrick McDonagh, The Walrus - This magazine article notes the rise of type 2 diabetes among Quebec's James Bay Cree is inspiring a return to traditional medicine in a collaborative initiative teaming Université de Montréal pharmacologist Pierre Haddad with healers in four Cree communities. Together they are investigating the medicines' effectiveness, identifying 17 plants to date for further study. Their findings have been published in prestigious journals such as Molecular Nutrition and Food Research and show some of the remedies to be as beneficial as prescription drugs typically used to manage diabetes. At the same time, First Nations rights to traditional knowledge are being protected through an unprecedented legal agreement with the Cree and university researchers, based on guidelines from the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Read more.
February 23-24, 2011
First Nations, Inuit and Métis fathers may be one of the "greatest untapped resources in the lives of Aboriginal children today," in the words of Grand Chief Ed John, of the BC First Nations Summit. Hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, this national showcase in Ottawa Feb. 23-24 is addressing an urgent need to support Indigenous fathers in communities, programs, research and policies in Canada. As understanding of the connection between father involvement and the health of children grows, more and more people are asking: What do dads need in their journey as fathers? How can we support participation of fathers in family-centered services? What teachings are important for children to learn?
This gathering brings together First Nations, Inuit and Métis fathers of all ages, Elders, parents and caregivers. It also includes researchers, directors and administrators from father involvement, parenting, early childhood development and child welfare programs, along with members of federal and regional government agencies responsible for these programs. Together, participants will highlight programs, resources, initiatives and practices that support active father involvement in the good care of children. Keynote speakers include:
- Mike de Gagne, executive director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, a national Aboriginal organization dedicated to addressing the legacy of Canada's Indian Residential School System. DeGagne has worked in the field of addiction and mental health for the past 25 years.
- Dr. Jessica Ball, member of the Father Involvement Research Alliance (see Indigenous Fathers) and a co-principal investigator in the first national study of fatherhood, leading the Indigenous fathers component of the study. She is a Professor at the School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria, and co-coordinator of First Nations Partnership Programs at UVic.
- Albert Pooley, president and founder of the Native American Fatherhood and Families Association in the United States. Pooley is of Navajo and Hopi heritage, and is internationally recognized for his Fatherhood is Sacred™ program designed to meet the needs of Native Americans.
We invite you to learn more about this event by contacting Teri Delaney at delaney@unbc.ca; 250-960-5250.
January2011
Reports on Canada's Response to H1N1 Raise Concerns About Public Health Conditions in First Nations and Inuit Communities
January 4, 2011
Canadian Press - Canada needs to be better prepared to handle an influenza pandemic, say two major reports that highlight concerns about the relationship between First Nations and the government during a pandemic. More than two dozen recommendations emerged in separate reports released by the Public Health Agency of Canada and a Senate committee that examined the H1N1 pandemic of 2009.
Sen. Art Eggleton said his committee found that underlying health conditions in a number of First Nations and Inuit communities were a "great concern." He called housing conditions and the inability to get clean water "terrible circumstances" that make communities vulnerable to communicable diseases. The Senate report recommended that Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch continue to work with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and PHAC to address public health infrastructure.
The committee also called for improvements to reporting systems for data collection and surveillance for aboriginal groups, and recommended that the federal government enter into discussions with representatives from First Nation and Inuit organizations and communities to clarify its role in a public health emergency.
Overall, the reports found Canada's response overall was effective, but that more could have been done. Read more. View Reports: Canada's Response to the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic - Report of the Standing Senate Commitee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology; Lessons Learned Review: Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada Response to the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic.
December 2010
"It Shouldn't Be Happening" - Tuberculosis Crisis in Nunavut
December 14, 2010
CBC Radio - Nunavut has recorded more cases of tuberculosis this year than any other year in its history. The territory's TB infection rate is now 62 times the national average. CBC's "The Current" looks at the scope of the problem as well as potential solutions after Nunavut recorded its 99th case of tuberculosis for 2010 earlier this week. That's more than any other year since the territory was founded in 1999 and nearly double the previous record. In an interview, Dr. Isaac Sobol, Nunavut's chief medical officer of health, cites issues of wide-spread poverty, the lack of proper housing and the high number of older people who carry a dormant version of TB, because of a past epidemic. Also interviewed is Dr. Anne Fanning of the University of Alberta, a member of the Order of Canada for her work fighting TB. Listen to The Current. See also the Globe and Mail: TB Once Again Stalking the Arctic.
Rich Countries, Including Canada, Letting Poorest Children Fall Behind, says new UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre Report
December 3, 2010
Digital Journal - A landmark report by the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Report Card 9: The Children Left Behind, asks how far behind affluent nations allow their most disadvantaged children to fall. It finds that Canada performs at a mediocre level overall, and lags far behind in equality of children's material well-being, ranking 17th of 24 OECD countries. The report argues that the consequences of 'falling behind' are enormous for children, as they are for the economy and societies. UNICEF Canada's chief advisor for advocacy, Marv Bernstein, said Canada can take steps to achieve greater equality by establishing a national children's commissioner, setting a national child poverty reduction strategy, closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children, and applying a Child Impact Assessment to policy decisions affecting children. "When you recognize the immigrant children and the aboriginal children are the two fastest growing populations in the country, and those are the two being left behind, what does this say in terms of our future potential?" he said. Read more. Visit UNICEF Canada. Download report.
November 2010
A "Revolution in Maternity Care in Canada's Far North" is Changing the Way Babies are Delivered Around the World
November 26-30
Ottawa Citizen - This four part series highlights Inuit birthing practices to ask why evacuating women from remote communities to give birth is still happening despite the associated trauma, harm and cost, and what lessons the Inuit experience imparts to others. The writer, journalist Elizabeth Payne, received a fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research that supported her travel to Arctic Quebec, Australia and other communities to research this series, "Bringing Birth Home." The series includes: "Inuit midwife delivers in the outback," "The residential schools of medicine," "Birth of a notion" and "Birthing at home: It takes a village."
Children's Rights Advocate Dr. Cindy Blackstock a 'Remarkable Canadian'
November 24, 2010
Dr. Cindy Blackstock, a passionate advocate for the rights of First Nations children in Canada, has been recognized for her public service with a National Aboriginal Achievement Award. She was presented to the Canadian Parliament Tuesday. A member of the Gitksan Nation, Dr. Blackstock is the Executive Director of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada (FNCFCS), a national non-profit organization providing services to First Nations child welfare organizations. Read more.