The Legacy of Colonization Socio-Economic Stats (Sad Stats)

Socio Economic Statistics Defined: a combined total measure of a person's work experience and of an individual's or family’s economic and social position relative to others, based primarily on income, education, and occupation (among others)

BC Income Stats

BC Education Stats http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKqpxr2T9pA

The Statistics tell the story Income Statistics: -The average income of FN people is only 70% of the average income of other Canadians (FNs will on average earn 30% less income per year) -the household income of FN families is 40% lower than the national average ($21,800 vs $38,000) Education Statistics: -across Canada, FN’s on average have lower attendance rates, are less likely to graduate and take longer to graduate -in 2001 only 38% of on-reserve FN’s graduated from high school (vs. 69% of non-FN’s)

Statistics Cont’d… Housing Statistics: -in 2000 over 50% of FN homes (both on and off reserve) failed to meet basic housing standards -in 1991 a Stats Canada report found that 2 times as many FN homes had no piped water, five times as many did not have bathroom facilities an ten times as many did not have a flush toilet and the average number of people per household was 30% greater Attawapiskat

Statistics Cont’d… Incarceration Statistics -FN’s account for only 3% of the federal population yet represent 20% of the federal incarceration rates (2005, Stats Canada) -Aboriginals are 6 times more likely to be involved in the Justice System

Statistics Cont’d… Health Statistics and Problems: Tuberculosis  a bacterial disease that was brought to BC from Euros. -it affects the lungs or bones and is spread by coughing and sneezing – it prevails in substandard conditions (on reserves, residential schools) -Tuberculosis is 8 to 10 times higher among FN’s (compared to non-FN) -killed many FN children and elderly up until the 1980s Diabetes  endocrine disease caused by poor diet -leads to major health complications such as blindness, heart attacks and strokes -diabetes rates are 2 to 3 times higher among FN’s (compared to non-FN) -FN’s never had Diabetes until after WWII – this coincides with the shift from traditional hunting gathering lifestyle to the sedentary reserve lifestyle Alcoholism  social and addictive disease that was introduced by Europeans -originally a trade item -has managed to trap many FN’s in its cycle of addiction -has led to health concerns  heart disease, liver disease, hepatitis and various cancers

Statistics Cont’d…. Health Statistics and Problems Cont’d … HIV/Aids: newest disease to threaten FN people -there are warning signs that it may be a concern in the near future -15% of new HIV/Aids infections are happening to FN’s The Result of these Health Problems: Life expectancy  is nearly 10 years less than non-natives Infant mortality  is three times higher Violence  33% of all FN deaths are related to violence vs. only 8% Suicide  FN youth are 5 to 6 times more likely to commit suicide