A disturbing study has been released today concerning the state of First nations children in Canada. The study by the Canadian Centre for policy alternatives based on 2006 census data shows that half of all first nations children in Canada live in poverty. That is three times the national average and indigenous children trail the rest of Canada’s kids in almost every measure of well-being including family income, education and health.
Some residents of the Blood tribe describe their living conditions similar to those in third world countries. The majority of the houses in Stand – off have been neglected for years many without running water, smashed out windows and graffiti.” If you look at the social indicators they are very comparable in most respects to the conditions that prevail in third world countries in terms of disease,annual income and most are on welfare,” says James Oka a resident of Stand Off.
A newly released report says half of first nations children in Canada are living in poverty on reserves. While it’s a startling statistic the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge believes that percentage could be even higher on the blood reserve. “It’s shocking every time you hear it living in Canada and having our reserves living in these conditions,” says Jacinda Weiss with the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge. “This should not be happening.”
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