1/30/2016

 Grassy Narrow was an area set aside for First Nations People in 1873 and was signed for in a treaty. The treaty agreement saw FNP relinquish 14 million hectares to the government while being promised that they could continue to pursue their occupations of hunting and fishing on this land.  This particular group of FNP was remote and still actively lived from the land and practiced their native language. 1/30/2016

The government was to maintain schools and pay money to the Band of $5.00 per person per year. Life continued on in relative peace for over 100 years until 1963 when the government decided that these FNP needed to be relocated to a new area of the Jones Logging Rd. which was about 8km away……….why? 1/30/2016

The government wanted to assimilate these people as they have remained on their own and were not overly influenced by the rest of the area. By moving them, they would be forced to interact with others and change their lifestyle. The Ojibwa people had been completely self- sufficient but then the government began restricting fishing rights and the community began to sink into despair 1/30/2016

 The government completed wiped out any remnants of the Grassy Narrows settlement. Why?  In the new community the Ojibwa were introduced to a steady stream of unregulated alcohol and violence and suicide began to escalate.  The true purpose of the move became evident. 1/30/2016

Grassy Narrows was prime land for the pulp and paper industry and “progress” continued until the forests were cleared. The pulp and paper mills dumped over 20,000 pounds of mercury into the rivers which contaminated the water and poisoned all fish. A few kilometers up the road Ojibwa now had nothing to survive on. 1/30/2016

What happened next was a matter of survival. 1/30/2016

The FNP fought back with endless demonstrations to bring the issue to the media and to the nation. 1/30/2016

By the 1990’s a financial settlement had been made and efforts to begun to clean up the area and bring back the fish and wild life. The original community of FNP may never fully recover from this but the healing process has begun and fishing is once again a way of life. 1/30/2016

In 2006 almost 1.2 million aboriginal people are recorded in the census. The population is increasing and will have the largest percentage of youth in the country. It is difficult for the statistics to be accurate as the number of “status” FNP changes with every birth and death. Also the stats are affected by those who are now regaining status e.g. Women who married off the reserve could now re-apply to have their status back as well as for their children. Now that they can keep their status many are moving into urban areas. 1/30/2016

 It is well documented that education is not only connected to better employment but also leads to better physical and mental health and reduced criminal activity.  In 1988 the federal government created a “band operating funding formula” which is based on the number of students X cost of education delivery.  This is similar to the standard formula. However, there has been tremendous growth in aboriginal communities and the government has not kept the funding in line with the population. 1/30/2016

 Provincial schools are paid more than double what on-reserve schools are paid which on average is $ less per student. Teachers are paid less and there is no funding for school libraries and textbooks.  There is the perception that all post-secondary education is free for aboriginal students but this is not accurate. The number of students eligible for tuition greatly exceeds the budget. In 2009 over 5000 students were denied funding. 1/30/2016

 Aboriginal students have a higher drop out rate from highschool.  With limited resources due to government funding there are fewer programs for children to become involved in.  A higher drop out rate leads to higher unemployment, higher substance abuse, and higher suicide rates  Many aboriginal students have difficulty finding self identity and purpose. 1/30/2016

Health care is generally a provincial responsibility, but for status Aboriginal people living on-reserve and for the Inuit in the North, it is a federal responsibility covered by Health Canada. Aboriginals living off-reserve have health care provided by the province. One of the main problems is that Health Canada does not provide the same care and services that the provincial system does. What kind of problems could this create? 1/30/2016

 The most recent tragic case of this problem was with Jordan River Anderson. He was a five year old boy who died in hospital while the federal and provincial governments argued over who was responsible for paying for his treatments.  This led to “Jordan’s Principle” which is a private members bill that was passed in the House of Commons in The bill provides that the individual is to receive complete health care first and that the financial details can be worked out afterwards between the governments. 1/30/2016

Due to the rapid change is lifestyle for aboriginal peoples there have been several health issues. FNP are three times more likely to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Types 1 and 2 diabetes are three to five times more likely to develop in FNP. It is now accepted that the increase in diabetes is related to their rapid transition from hunting and fishing to the more sedentary lifestyle and diet of the population. 1/30/2016

 Aboriginals are infected with HIV/AIDS at approximately 3.6 times the rate of the general population. Injection drug use is the main reason. In 2009 almost 30% of the new cases were youth between 15 & 29.  As previously mentioned the loss of identity and purpose has led to substance abuse. 1/30/2016

 There is also a tuberculosis infection rate that is almost 10 times higher for aboriginals that the general population. This is related to poor nutrition and living conditions.  The suicide rate is 11 times the national average and accounts for the leading cause of death in aboriginal people.  Youth are despondent over generational issues and tragedies, feel hopeless, turn to substance abuse, and ultimately give up. 1/30/2016

As with many programs aimed at prevention, the most important first step is realizing that it is not a sign of weakness to ask for help but rather a sign of strength. 1/30/2016

QUESTIONS ????? ??? ? 1/30/2016