POVERTY: Aboriginals and poverty

First Nations People

Even though we are living in a first world country, aboriginal people are living in third world conditions; and the sad reality is that these conditions are not getting any better.

Lets look at some statistics:

*25% of First Nations children still live in poverty.

*Diabetes among First Nations people is overwhelming, statistics have showed that diabetes is three times higher than the national ratio.

*Studies show that 23% of aboriginals are living in houses that need major repairs compared to the rest of the Canadian population.

*Recent government data has shown that 50% of Inuit families are living in overcrowded housing conditions. Three bedroom homes are known to be occupied by as many as 20 people.

*These third world like conditions are the reason that more than 90 first nations communities are under boil water advisories. People in the community are frustrated because they have either little or no clean drinking water and sanitation.

*Tubercolosis is also very common within First nation communities, over eight times more than Canadians in general.

*More than half of First Nations people are unemployed and living on social assistance.

*Disability is very high amongst First Nations children doubling the rate of all Canadian children.

*Lack of dental care is such a problem that almost half the First nations children have rotting teeth and are in desperate need of restorative dentistry.

*High school graduation rates for First Nations youth are half the Canadian rate.

*First Nations suicides are 5 to 8 times more than the Canadian suicide rate.

*The majority of Inuit people in Canada live in remote arctic communities, this makes it impossible to access medical services and every day goods; Lack of money prevents acquiring quality foods.

*In the north fast food is less expensive than nutritious foods; this results in malnutrition and health problems.

*Poverty has to be addressed immediately to avoid negative impacts on the First Nations future generations to come.