2. In Canada, Aboriginal is understood to mean a category that includes First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) people. The National Household Survey (NHS) shows 1,400,685 Aboriginal people in 2011, representing 4.3% of the population. In 2006, we accounted for 3.8% of the population census. It also shows that the FNMI population increased by 232,385 people, or 20.1% between 2006 and 2011, compared with 5.2% for the non-Aboriginal population. In Ontario, 37.0% of First Nations people with registered Indian status lived on a reserve and 63% living in rural and urban centres. In 2011, 451,795 people identified as Métis. They represented 32.3% of the total Aboriginal population and 1.4% of the total Canadian population. In Ontario (86,015), where they represented 19.0% of all Métis with 10.0% of the population from Midland. In 2011, 59,445 people identified as Inuit. They represented 4.2% of the total Aboriginal population and 0.2% of the total Canadian population. Ontario was the province where the largest number of Aboriginal people lived, 301,425 people, representing 21.5% of the total Aboriginal population.

3. The Aboriginal population is young Aboriginal children aged 14 and under made up 28.0% of the total Aboriginal population and 7.0% of all children in Canada. Non-Aboriginal children aged 14 and under represented 16.5% of the total non-Aboriginal population. Aboriginal youth aged 15 to 24 represented 18.2% of the total Aboriginal population, and 5.9% of all youth in Canada. Non-Aboriginal youth accounted for 12.9% of the total non-Aboriginal population. About 6% of the total Aboriginal population were seniors aged 65 and over, less than half of the proportion of seniors in the non-Aboriginal population (14.2%). Inuit had a median age of 23, the youngest of the three Aboriginal groups. The median age of First Nations people was 26, followed by Métis at 31, 13 years younger than the median of 41 years for the non- Aboriginal population. Living arrangements of children Less than half (45%) of First Nations children live with both parents 37.1% (96,045) lived in a lone–parent family, and 8.7% (22,445) lived in a stepfamily as stepchildren. Almost 8,500 First Nations children (3.3%) were not living with their parents, but instead lived with one or both of their grandparents in a skip-generation family. Additionally, 10.5% of First Nations children, or 27,100, lived in multi-generational families. Over 11,700 First Nations children aged 14 and under (4.5%) were foster children. First Nations children who were Registered Indians were more likely to be in foster care than those who were not registered (5.0% compared with 2.9%). More than half (58%) of Métis children live with both parents, 29.8% (31,095) lived in a lone–parent family, and 8.6% (8,935) lived in a stepfamily as stepchildren. Just over 1,400 Métis children (1.4%) did not live with either of their parents, but with one or both of their grandparents. Additionally, 5.6% of Métis children, or 5,870, lived in multi-generational families. Nearly 1,800 Métis children (1.7%) were foster children. About six in ten Inuit children live with both parents - one in four (25.8%, or 5,200) lived in a lone-parent family, and 6.3% (1,280) lived in a stepfamily as stepchildren. Almost 470 Inuit children (2.3%) lived in skip-generation families, that is, with one or both grandparents where no parents were present.

4. 4 The catchment area for the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle includes Simcoe, York and Muskoka. The total Aboriginal population according to Stats Can 2006 is 18,045 which includes 13,035 in Simcoe, 3,595 in York and 1,415 in Muskoka. The average in Simcoe is 3% which is higher than the provincial average of 2%. The Aboriginal population includes 9,465 First Nation, 7,900 Metis and 680 Inuit. 54% are under age of 29 years and youth are the fastest growing demographic. Long-established network of organizations have focused on serving the needs of Aboriginal families. i.e., BANAC and D’naagdawenamog Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services which includes 7 FN’s from Central East catchment area. Within the Aboriginal community, there is limited understanding of mainstream systems and services. White Buffalo: “symbol of hope and renewal for humanity and for harmony between all peoples, all races” Census population is 416,995 Established network of organizations focused on serving the FAMILY since 2001 via Simcoe County Coalition The Coalition is made up of 35 non-FNMI agencies, boards & committees that impact Aboriginal people. This includes other planning tables such as Best Start and Compass to name a few. Estrangement between Aboriginal & main- stream is beginning to change ie : Inclusiveness/sense of Belonging is one of the Coalition’s top 3 goals for the next 3 years

5.  Poverty; poor housing, homelessness  Substance abuse; parenting capacity; fetal alcohol syndrome  Racism; discrimination  Children and youth mental health  Education issues  CULTURAL IDENTITY, LOSS OF CONNECTION  LOSS OF BALANCE (Medicine Wheel)  Sensitivity training for each organization – anti oppression  Service coordination (referrals, resource manual) - protocols  Inclusion in systems planning - protocols  Aboriginal representation in governance  Meaningful consultation – policies  Data Collection – Tracking Clients Daphne Odjig, Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island

6. BANAC Native Friendship Centres Georgian Bay & Barrie NATIVE WOMEN’S GROUPS Orillia, Georgian Bay, York Region, Rising SUN MÉTIS Métis Nation of Ontario and Georgian Bay Métis Council ABORIGINAL SERVICE AGENCIES Enaahtig, SUN Housing, Medicine Horse FIRST NATIONS Beausoleil, Rama, Moose Deer, Wahta, Georgina Island First Nations require BCR’s & orgs require BOD’s motions Inclusive & respectful approach Participation varies depending on need or community capacity Bringing communities together to develop solutions to regional issues.

7. HAAMB Huronia Area Aboriginal Management Board 1992 AETC Anishinabe Education & Training Circle 1992 EHL&LC Wiidookdaadiwin Alter Abled Circle 1994 BRAWC Regional Aboriginal Women’s Circle 2000 Aboriginal Early Years Study, Conference And Program 2001 ACBC BCC - BMO 2008 AADR Medicine Horse 2009

8. ABORIGINAL CAPACITY BUILDING CIRCLE BIINOOJINSAUK Children’s Planning Circle ABORIGINAL HEALTH CIRCLE BANAC

9. ACBC Children’s Mental Health Kinark,, CMHA & Enaahtig Outreach, New Path Catulpa, etc Children' s Special Needs Children’s Treatment Network Children' s Health Aboriginal Health Circle Youth Justice Enaahtig Outreach YJAG Educatio n SCDSB SMCDSB AETC Child Welfare Child Welfare Advisory Circle FNMI Unit Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag (7 First Nations) Planning Children's Services Biinoojiisag CYFSCoaltion LHIN’s, Best Start of Simcoe County MCYS CMHA – Canadian Mental Health Association YJAG – Youth Justice Advisory Group SCDSB – Simcoe County District School Board SMCDSB – Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board AETC – Anishinabe Education & Training Circle CYFS – Child, youth and family services LHIN’s – Local Health Integration Network MCYS – Ministry of Children & Youth Services

10. Coalition Council Coordinator/ Admin Aboriginal Capacity Builder Biinojinsauk Children’s Planning Circle, AHC Community Engagement Planning A Sample Model for Planning BANAC ACBC Children's Mental Health Children’s Special Needs Children’s Health Youth Justice Child/Youth Education Child Welfare Children’s Services Best Start & Planning

12. Creating a blue print for other groups to look at ie: Francophone & New Comers

14. In Simcoe County, and throughout Canada, the Aboriginal population is young, and is the fastest growing population. Through the project period, BANAC will engage in a series of consultations with Elders and FNMI communities to discuss and provide feedback on proposed concepts for integrated child and family centres. This process will include our mainstream partners in discussion, feed-back and recommendations for improving access to child and family centres for the Aboriginal population.

15. Produce draft guidelines for the use and access of traditional healing services and practices including sample policies and procedures to support the integrity of traditional healing practices. Document best practices and common protocols to improve access and integration for child, youth and family systems. Ensure advice on best practices and common protocols are provided to child and family centres and other systems that affect children, youth and families ie: child welfare, education, health, social services, etc. Demonstrate that collaboration is an effective approach to address and reduce barriers to access for Aboriginal families

16. Please contact: Brenda Jacksonacb@banac.on.ca Lora D’Ambrosiolora.dambrosio@simcoe.ca