1 Aboriginal School Health Symposium National Initiatives First Nations School Nutrition Pilot Program Bryan Hendry April 21, 2008

2 The Reality “We must admit that First Nations People in Canada live in the most disgusting and shameful conditions imaginable in any developed country. “In Pukatawagan, in Northern Manitoba, Chief Shirley Castel tells us that some two-bedroom homes have as many as 28 people living in them. People are forced to sleep in shifts and many parents often go without sleep to ensure their children are able to learn and play.” -- National Chief Phil Fontaine, Canadian Club of Ottawa, May, 2007

3 Overview of Presentation History of the pilot program The environmental scan background and findings Successful components for implementation Where we are Questions

4 AFN Public Research Impact of More Education and Training Canadians were asked the degree of impact more education and training would have on poverty on reserves. Three in four Canadians (76%) said that more education and training would have a major impact on poverty on reserves, while 12% said it would have a minor impact. (Source: SES Research, August 2007)

federal budget submission AFN recommends an immediate $1.3 billion investment for education and skills training.

6 Make Poverty History Make Poverty History event, Parliament Hill, October 2007.

7 ONEXONE: Life belongs to everyone ONEXONE press conference with Richard Gere, Petra Nemcova and Wyclef Jean, September 2007.

8 First Nations School Nutrition Program ONEXONE & the Assembly of First Nations partnered with a goal to address & increase the availability of healthy food to all FN children attending school. ONEXONE is a charitable organization that was established in 2005 to support major initiatives that help children find a better world and secure their future. The AFN is one of several partners and charities through which ONEXONE's mandate is carried out. NC Phil Fontaine ONEXONE Gala Sept07.

9 Background Purpose of carrying out an environmental scan was to gain a greater understanding of the scope of school nutrition programs and policies for First Nations children. Information was gathered from schools, communities, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and also from scientific journals, grey literature and online resources. A communiqué/survey was sent to all First Nations communities via fax from the National Chief. Follow up phone calls with organizations across the regions were made to increase response rate.

10 Results and Follow-up Survey respondents include 303 schools. More than 85% of participants reported having a school nutrition program and nearly two- thirds, a school nutrition policy benefiting approximately 35,000 children. Less than half of all schools with a school nutrition program included a physical activity component.

11 Types of school nutrition programs offered among survey respondents

12 Reported funding sources

13 Five key findings for successful implementation… Community at its core A wholistic approach Supporting nutritious and universal school nutrition programs Funding for success Sharing knowledge.

14 Update 11 programs are partners in the pilot program On April 1 st, communities met in Toronto for visioning, networking and learning opportunities at FoodShare Breakfast Clubs of Canada is a partner in implementation Partnership with org. such as PepsiQTG for breakfast products (ie. Quacker oatmeal)

Program Leaders

16 A Finding from RHS: children deserve better…. 61.8% children aged 3-5 overweight or obese

17 Goaltender Carey Price donates $110,000 on behalf of Montreal Canadiens.

18 National Day of Action, May 29, 2008 Over 3,000 people marched in Ottawa last year.

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20 For More Information Elisa Levi Public Health Research and Policy Analyst Assembly of First Nations