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Supporting Aboriginal Children and Youth
Did you know?
- Aboriginal children in Canada are twice as likely as non-native children to be
born prematurely underweight, or die within their first year of life.
- Many of the patterns of illness seen among the indigenous population of Canada’s
North are like the patterns of illness seen in the Third World. For both, such ill
health is entirely preventable, being related to few resources, low access to other
services, and stress.
- While Canada has consistently ranked among the top ten countries in the world
in which to live, according to the United Nations Human Development Index, First Nations people
living on reserves in Canada rank 78th using the same scale. The quality of life of most Aboriginal
children in Canada is the same as that of people in developing nations such as Peru and Brazil.
What can be done?
- It must be recognized that Aboriginal children and their families need adequate
employment, housing, health care and education, just like all Canadians. More efforts
must be made to increase public and government awareness that Aboriginal issues are not
just about land and treaties.
- Develop a comprehensive, national strategy for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and youth.
- Create a federal fund that directly supports local community-driven preventive health
and social services for Aboriginal children and youth.
Ask the questions...
- What will your party do to address the huge disparity in quality of life that
Aboriginal children experience compared to their non-native counterparts?
- Does your party support substantial new funding for the delivery of social services
to social service agencies run by Aboriginal communities themselves or do you think
that existing federally-run programs and services to Aboriginal people are adequate?
On to Promoting Healthy Active Living
Meeting Basic Needs
Reaching Potential
Promoting Healthy Active Living
Ensuring Public Accountability
Conclusion
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