Indigenous Canada VN2018.1 Welcome Origin Thank you to host I am (short) On traditional lands of…

Key Terms Indigenous: umbrella term which includes the three distinct Indigenous peoples in Canada: First Nations, Inuit, Métis Competence: the knowledge, skills and attributes to do something well Cultural competence: the knowledge, skills and attributes to build effective relationships with people from other cultures Cultural humility: the ability to maintain focus on the patient/client’s culture as the most important in this situation, and the choice to not project my culture onto others Cultural safety: when the health professional provides culturally competent care, the patient feels culturally safe Ally: a person who support a movement or people for their benefit even though the ally may not be part of the community Reconciliation: the restoration of relationship between settlers and Indigenous peoples; and not yet fully defined in Canada @2018 IRG.

Similarities of Indigenous cultures A longstanding and enduring relationship with the natural environment A world view and knowledge system that is derived from ecological associations (the land) A distinctive language Similar experiences that threaten language, land, custom, culture and social organization A determination to live and prosper as Indigenous peoples – and as global citizens An aspiration that Indigenous families and communities will have optimal health and wellbeing Wharerātā Declaration We share in common 400m Indigenous TRANSITION: Let’s look at Indigenous in Canada @2018 IRG.

Indigenous in Canada About 1.7 million, more than half live in urban areas Increased between 29% and 51% in population since 2006 Constitutionally protected with Section 35 rights: existing aboriginal and treaty rights recognized and affirmed, including the existing rights as in land claims agreements and those which may be acquired 2016 Census. Better than 2011, substantial increase in population, but still not fully counted. Probably about 1/3 . Status/non-status Metis Inuit Aboriginal ancestry. "Aboriginal ancestry" includes at least one response in Question 17 to an origin that can be classified in one of First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuit ancestry, either with or without also reporting a non-Aboriginal ancestry. @2018 IRG.

Inuit About 65,000 Inuit live in Canada, 3/4 in Inuit Nunangat (Inuit Homelands) Inuit communities are remote - plane or barge in the summer, or by ice road in winter (except Inuvik in NWT) Inuktitut language with dialects All Inuit land claims have been completed 160,000 Inuit live in the circumpolar region which includes Canada, Chukotka in Russia, Alaska and Greenland Four land claims completed More in common with Inuit across Arctic Circle than us as southerners Southerners don’t have much opportunity to get to know Inuit @2018 IRG.

53 communities – how many have you been in? This map shows an unsettled land claim area in the Atlantic @2018 IRG.

Aklulivik in Nunavik, Northern Quebec @2018 IRG.

First Nations About 977,230 About 70 cultural groups, about 50 language groups Living on-reserve or “in community”, in 630 First Nations; and more than half live out of community or in urban areas Cultural identity: family, house, clan, nation Political identity: status, band membership, and treaty Numbers for First Nations are difficult, partly due to status/non-status Diversity within Reserve=community Identity is both cultural and political. There is much diversity within FN, regional and cultural differences No such thing as an “average” First Nation @2018 IRG.

How many First Nations communities or reserves have you been in? @2018 IRG.

Métis About 587,500 Métis, many located in Ontario and west Fastest growing population within the Indigenous groups Almost 63% in urban centres: Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, and Saskatoon the largest concentrations Own unique culture, traditions, language (Michif), way of life, collective consciousness and nationhood Métis Homeland and Métis Nation Distinct group, one who self-id’s, can track Metis ancestry, accepted by their community. Internal discussions on identity with Homeland/Nation. Learning from FN politicized identity, let’s let Metis define for themselves, without outside interference @2018 IRG.

Self-id Metis @2018 IRG.

Urban Indigenous More than half of Indigenous in Canada now live in urban areas First Nations, Inuit, Métis – for example, over 40 cultures and languages in downtown Vancouver In some cities, Indigenous are more centralized in a certain neighborhood Some are connected to Aboriginal Friendship Centres, Aboriginal Head Start Centres, Aboriginal health centres, cultural centres, and Urban Aboriginal Strategy committees More than half of Indigenous now live in urban areas. 40,000 in Ottawa (medical transportation, employment, etc) No one political voice in any urban area TRANSITION: key point=diversity @2018 IRG.

TOP: Casino Rama, Rama FN 2 hours north of TO. Trains new casino mgmt. Best emergency comms centre in Ontario BOTTOM: Osoyoos First Nation in BC. Don’t see these good news stories often. @2018 IRG.

Media covers distress and crisis. These are true stories, but not reflective of everybody’s story. For Inuit, and for First Nations living in remote communities, access to services difficult. @2018 IRG.

@2018 IRG.

Challenges in wellbeing Between 2x to 10x higher incidence of: HIV Child welfare Diabetes Violence More than 10x higher incidence of: Tuberculosis Suicide Variations between First Nations, Inuit and Métis Variations within each distinct group – between communities Diversity versus the stats. Both true. Why such poor health and wellbeing outcomes? Impact of history. @2018 IRG.