National Aboriginal
Youth Strategy
December 2, 1999
Prepared by the Working Group of the
National Aboriginal Youth Strategy
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Purpose
III. Background
IV. Current Situation
V. Supporting a Vision for Aboriginal Youth
VI. Principles
VII. Goals
VIII. Suggested Initiatives
IX. Potential Linkages to Other Initiatives
X. Ministerial/Leaders Approval Requested:
Appendix I
Description of Existing Aboriginal Youth
Advisory Committees
Appendix II
Statistical Profile of Aboriginal Youth
in Canada
Appendix III
Goals/Suggested Initiatives/Desired Outcomes/Measures
of Success
I. Introduction
Aboriginal1 youth are a dynamic
component of Canadian society. They are the future leaders, educators,
professionals and role models of their communities. They are the links
to the history and tradition of the past, but they also hold the knowledge
and vision for the future.
These same young people will play a pivotal
role in shaping Canada’s future for the new millennium. Aboriginal youth
represent the fastest growing segment of Canada’s youth population. However,
Aboriginal youth are among those who face the highest levels of poverty,
unemployment, suicide, as well as experiencing low education levels and
lack of access to basic health care services in Canada. In addition, labour
market conditions are deteriorating for Aboriginal youth, aggravating a
situation that already presents Aboriginal youth with far more challenges
than other youth. The cultural, economic, social and political futures
of Aboriginal youth will significantly impact the lives of all Canadians.
Aboriginal and government leaders recognize
that focussed attention and strong actions are required to address these
social and economic challenges in order to ensure constructive and optimistic
prospects for Aboriginal youth. Strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal
communities, where programs and services are designed and delivered through
established and emerging organizations serving Aboriginal youth, should
be encouraged. The delivery of programs and services based on mutual respect,
recognition, responsibility, and sharing is in the best interest of all.
The National Aboriginal Youth Strategy
is based on the belief that solutions and results can be realized when
all stakeholders, including Aboriginal communities, governments and institutions,
the private sector, community/voluntary agencies and individuals, work
together in true partnership. The Strategy envisions Aboriginal youth having
opportunities to pursue career and quality of life goals in support of
individual choices as well as supporting the social and economic aspirations
of Aboriginal communities.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this Strategy is to provide
a framework that will assist governments, institutions, and Aboriginal
organizations in the:
-
development of policy; and,
-
design and delivery of programs and services
for or accessed by Aboriginal youth.
It is anticipated that the implementation
of the Strategy will help to achieve comparability between the current
profile of Aboriginal youth and other Canadian youth. In some instances,
Aboriginal organizations, federal, provincial and territorial governments
and institutions and communities may strive to close the gap at an accelerated
rate.
III. Background
In November of 1997, Premiers, Territorial
Leaders and the Leaders of the five national Aboriginal organizations2
called on the federal government to convene a meeting with Federal/Provincial/Territorial
Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and National Aboriginal Leaders.
The purpose of this meeting was to address social issues related to Aboriginal
peoples, a comprehensive process of social policy renewal and needs of
Aboriginal youth.
In May of 1998, Federal/Provincial/Territorial
Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and National Aboriginal Leaders
met in Quebec City and agreed to develop a National Aboriginal Youth Strategy.
A working group comprised of representatives of the five national Aboriginal
organizations, the federal government (represented by Human Resources Development
Canada, the Privy Council Office and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)
and the Provinces/Territories of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan,
Yukon, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Quebec3 was established to
co-ordinate development of the Strategy. The national Aboriginal organizations
have, or are developing, Aboriginal youth advisory structures. Aboriginal
youth committees and advisory councils have provided input into the development
of this Strategy. Appendix I provides a description of existing Aboriginal
youth advisory structures.
Premiers and National Aboriginal Leaders
met in March 1999, in Regina, and pressed for the timely completion of
the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy.
IV. Current Situation
Aboriginal youth and their families require
access to opportunities in a supportive environment that encourages them
to break the cycle of poverty, abuse, the struggle for cultural identity,
the lack of family support, low education levels, crime, and low self-esteem.
Without the necessary supports, Aboriginal youth and their families will
find it difficult to overcome these obstacles and may not be able to realize
their career aspirations or quality of life goals. Statistics4 on
the current situation of Aboriginal youth illustrate the many serious challenges
that Aboriginal youth face on a daily basis.
Demographics
-
Recent estimates suggest that
the Aboriginal population is growing at an average annual rate of about
2.3 percent, more than twice the rate of the rest of the Canadian population.
-
The Aboriginal population continues
to display a very "youthful" age structure. In 1996, the average age of
the Aboriginal population was about 25.5 years, roughly 10 years younger
than other Canadians.
-
The population of Aboriginal
youth is expected to grow at a rate of about 1.4 percent annually through
the 1996-2011 period. A more rapid rate of growth (about 2.4 percent annually)
is expected during this period in the Aboriginal labour force age group
(15-64 years).
Education and Skills Development
-
Educational levels among Aboriginal
youth lagged behind those of other Canadians by a wide margin in all provinces
and territories and in both rural and urban areas.
-
More than two-thirds of Aboriginal
youth who were not attending school reported an education level below high
school certification.
Health
-
During the 1989-1993 period,
the mortality rate among registered Indian youth was about 3.6 times higher
than that of other Canadian youth.
-
About 6.5 percent of all Aboriginal
youth reported disabilities, which limited normal daily functioning. The
incidence of disability among Aboriginal youth was about 1.7 times higher
than among other Canadian youth.
-
Suicide deaths accounted for
nearly one-third of all deaths among registered Indian youth. The rate
among registered Indian male youth was more than 5 times that of the Canadian
youth rate. Among female youth, the rate of suicide deaths among registered
Indians was nearly 8 times that of other Canadian youth.
Culture
-
About 1 in 5 Aboriginal youth reported
an Aboriginal mother tongue in 1996, a rate about 2.5 times lower than
that of their grandparent's generation.
-
Nearly one-half of Aboriginal
youth reported at least occasional participation in traditional Aboriginal
activities. Only about one-quarter of Aboriginal youth, however, reported
living off the land for at least one week in 1991.
Social
-
High rates of mobility characterise
the Aboriginal population, especially Aboriginal youth. Between 1995 and
1996, more than one-third of Aboriginal youth reported a change in residence,
a rate roughly 1.4 times higher than that of other Canadian youth.
-
In 1996, one-quarter of Aboriginal
youth lived in a lone parent family, a rate roughly 1.6 times higher than
that of other Canadian youth.
-
Aboriginal youth were also much
more likely than other Canadian youth to live in a low-income household.
In 1996, more than 45 percent of all Aboriginal youth lived in households
below the low income cut-off, a rate roughly 1.9 times higher than that
of other Canadian youth.
Economic
-
More than one-third of Aboriginal
youth reported unemployment in 1996. The unemployment rate of Aboriginal
female youth was about 2.1 times higher than that of their other Canadian
counterparts. Male Aboriginal youth were about 2.3 times more likely than
other male Canadian youth to report unemployment at that time.
-
In 1995, average personal incomes
among Aboriginal youth lagged behind those of other Canadian youth both
on and off reserve and in most provinces/territories.
-
In 1996, the rate of incarceration
(in federal and provincial/territorial correction facilities) among Aboriginal
youth aged 15-19 was about 9 times that of other Canadian youth in the
same age category. Among youth aged 20-24 years, the Aboriginal incarceration
rate was about 7 times higher than the rate of other Canadians aged 20-24
years.
It must also be noted that within some areas
where proactive measures have been initiated, some positive trends have
emerged. For example, Aboriginal longevity is increasing, the percentage
of Aboriginal youth enrolled in post-secondary education programs is increasing,
and Aboriginal youth full time employment earnings are almost equal to
those of other Canadian youth. Governments, institutions and organizations
recognize that these improved measures indicate the benefits of working
together in partnerships to address the critical challenges facing Aboriginal
youth.
V. Supporting a Vision for Aboriginal
Youth
A healthy future involves building
on the diversity of Aboriginal communities and recognizes their spiritual,
emotional, physical, intellectual and cultural values. Aboriginal youth
recognize the importance of knowing their traditions and history. They
want to learn about and sustain their cultures and languages as a means
of strengthening their well being. This concept is conveyed from an Aboriginal
youth perspective in the 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Report
(RCAP) as follows:
We believe our heritage, culture and
religion are what make us human beings. It is very difficult in the city
to learn these things because many of the knowledgeable people who know
about it and can help us with it don’t live here. We must have help and
resources so that we can reach out to these people and build connections
between us and them, (4-157).
Aboriginal youth also envision a future that
offers equitable opportunities to live successful and fulfilling lives.
To do so, Aboriginal youth need to be equipped with the necessary skills,
abilities and information to take advantage of the full range of education,
training and employment possibilities.
The prospects of Aboriginal youth for economic
well being should be equal to those afforded the rest of Canada’s youth.
In supporting this vision, governments and Aboriginal organizations would
envision the following:
-
community economic development, business and
employment opportunities that are available and encouraged;
-
involvement of Aboriginal youth in the decisions
that impact their lives and recognition as equal partners in the development
of their individual and collective futures;
-
removal of barriers to social, education,
and economic opportunities;
-
environments that are supportive; and,
-
implementation of measures to enable Aboriginal
youth to enhance the quality of their lives, direct their future and fulfil
their dreams.
All of these elements point to the need for
solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal youth and
a more integrated approach to addressing issues and challenges.
Our goal was to move from a ‘state’
versus’ individual’ focus to a ‘people versus the ‘problem’ focus. We worked
from the belief that the health of the child, family and community cannot
be separated; that empowerment comes from ownership and accountability;
that wisdom lies within each of us; that promotion efforts are essential
for ensuring ongoing health. (First Nation Family Justice: MEE-noo-stah-tan
Mi-ni-si-win Project, Awasis Child and Family Agency in Manitoba)
VI. Principles
All parties should work to achieve a co-operative
vision and adopt a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach both within and
between governments. Opportunities should be achievable, practical and
realistic so that success is a possibility for Aboriginal youth in Canada.
In keeping with this approach, governments, institutions, and Aboriginal
organizations are encouraged to use the following principles to guide the
development and implementation of Aboriginal youth programs and services
(not presented in any particular order of priority):
-
Inclusive:
Aboriginal youth should be involved in
the development of programs and services for and accessed by Aboriginal
youth. Aboriginal youth must be involved in the Strategy to realise true
success.
-
Community Diversity and Community-based:
The diversity of Aboriginal communities
- with communities defined, in this document, as a gathering of similar
people - should be recognized. Aboriginal youth programs and services should
be tailored to the specific needs of individual communities wherever possible.
Aboriginal communities should be involved in the design and delivery of
programs and services for their youth wherever possible.
-
Flexible:
Strategies designed to address the concerns
of Aboriginal youth should be adaptable to meet current issues and challenges,
and responsive to emerging local and global issues which have an impact
on Aboriginal youth. They should also be flexible to address the varying
priorities and interests of different jurisdictions, governments, institutions,
and organizations.
-
Respectful:
Traditional Aboriginal knowledge, customs,
cultures and history should be valued and reflected in any plan of action
around program design and delivery that is developed to meet the needs
of Aboriginal youth.
-
Effectiveness and Efficiency
Any approach should consider existing
Aboriginal governance structures and institutions and utilize their expertise
and services wherever possible. Initiatives should be implemented in a
manner that reinforces and supports Aboriginal structures and institutions.
These initiatives should also be complementary to relevant self-government
policies, arrangements and agreements, and consistent with relevant treaties
and land claims agreements.
-
Holistic:
Enhancement of existing policies and programs
and the creation of new ones should take into consideration the spiritual,
emotional, physical, intellectual and cultural needs and aspirations of
Aboriginal youth. It should demonstrate harmony of these aspects and reflect
the diversity of Aboriginal cultures.
-
Accessible:
Programs and services should be transparent
and provide information that is clear and easily accessible to Aboriginal
youth, taking into account geographic and population realities. Information
should be readily available to Aboriginal youth and should provide clear
guidance on how youth can participate in or utilize programs and services.
Issues of remoteness and costs affecting accessibility must be taken into
consideration.
-
Individual Empowerment:
Aboriginal youth play a key role in helping
Aboriginal communities achieve their social and economic goals and objectives.
Programs and services should provide Aboriginal youth with the tools
necessary to participate effectively in the decisions that affect their
lives and enable them to contribute in the key and appropriate institutions
and structures of governments, institutions, and communities.
-
Community Empowerment:
Many Aboriginal youth are raised with
a strong belief in community values and view their individual pursuits
as contributing to their family, community, governments, and institutions.
Initiatives should recognize the importance of Aboriginal communities in
assisting Aboriginal youth in achieving their goals and aspirations.
VII. Goals
All parties should work together to achieve
the following set of common goals:
-
Education and skills development
To increase participation and successful
achievements in education and training.
-
Health
To encourage opportunities for Aboriginal
youth to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
-
Culture
To respect and promote Aboriginal cultures
and communities including language, history, customs, traditions, self-identity,
values and heritage. Many Aboriginal youth wish to reclaim their cultural
identity and reconnect with their traditional values.
-
Sport and Recreation
To encourage Aboriginal youth to participate
in sports, recreation and active living.
-
Social
To assist Aboriginal youth in achieving
their aspirations for an improved quality of life.
-
Economic
To increase the awareness of Aboriginal
youth regarding a range of economic opportunities. To increase Aboriginal
youth participation in these economic opportunities.
-
Political
To support real opportunities for Aboriginal
youth to become involved in the political development of their communities
and governments, and in federal, provincial, and territorial political
affairs.
-
Process
To increase the involvement of Aboriginal
youth
and their communities in the design, delivery, and evaluation of programs
and services for Aboriginal youth. To develop an approach that strengthens
community involvement and results in co-ordination between governments
and institutions, Aboriginal organizations, and within federal, provincial
and territorial governments concerning programs and services for Aboriginal
youth.
-
Public Education
To encourage and support strategies designed
to raise public awareness of the issues and challenges facing Aboriginal
youth.
VIII. Suggested Initiatives
As this Strategy is intended to be a long
term initiative, the objectives, initiatives and outcomes will likely change
over time to address emerging issues and prospects. The chart in Appendix
III describes the key goals, desired outcomes, suggested initiatives and
measures of success for the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy. Combined,
these components comprise the key elements of the Strategy.
Given the long-term objectives of this
Strategy, the initiatives identified in Appendix III will evolve over time.
The list of possible initiatives is not intended to be exhaustive but may
serve as a menu of potential activities and actions to help address the
needs of Aboriginal youth.
While these initiatives are targeted to
Aboriginal youth in Canada, additional efforts should be made to respect
and understand the unique cultures and traditions of Aboriginal people.
Initiatives may need to be adapted to reflect the needs and priorities
of Aboriginal youth with emphasis on the importance of youth becoming leaders
and role models in their own communities.
Individual jurisdictions in partnership
with Aboriginal organizations may review these initiatives and develop
specific implementation and evaluation plans based on their needs, objectives,
and resources. These initiatives should build on existing successful programs
within jurisdictions and introduce ways to advance new and more pro-active
programs. Any initiatives should be co-ordinated to maximize success and
reduce duplication of programs and services for Aboriginal youth.
The National Aboriginal Youth Strategy
is intended to be a dynamic strategy that can respond to the varying needs
of Aboriginal youth and changing circumstances. The suggested initiatives
represent examples of key action items that could be undertaken to enhance
circumstances and opportunities for Aboriginal youth in Canada.
IX. Potential Linkages to Other Initiatives
This Strategy covers a wide range of social,
cultural and economic issues of importance to Aboriginal youth. It is important
that linkages and communications be developed between the National Aboriginal
Youth Strategy and other national and regional initiatives. The purpose
of establishing linkages will be to co-ordinate policy development and
avoid duplication in the development of initiatives for Aboriginal youth.
In August, 1998, at the Annual Premier’s
Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the Premiers asked their Ministers
of Aboriginal Affairs and Labour Market Ministers to work together, with
national Aboriginal organizations, in the development of a National Aboriginal
Youth Strategy. As an example, work is underway to look at ways to build
linkages between activities of Labour Market Ministers and the National
Aboriginal Youth Strategy.
X. Ministerial/Leaders Approval Requested:
While the Strategy is designed to be flexible
in addressing the needs and priorities of different jurisdictions and organizations,
governments, institutions, and Aboriginal organizations must work together
within their respective jurisdictions to develop an appropriate plan for
implementation that reflects individual circumstances and situations of
different regions across Canada.
It is requested that federal, provincial
and territorial Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and National
Aboriginal Leaders approve the following recommendations:
-
Endorse the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy
and encourage all governments and institutions, Aboriginal governments
and Aboriginal organizations to pursue a range of policy and program development
initiatives for Aboriginal youth;
-
Direct the Steering Committee to:
-
Monitor progress in achieving the objectives
of the Strategy; and,
-
Report regularly to Ministers of Aboriginal
Affairs and Aboriginal Leaders on progress made.
-
Encourage linkages between the National Aboriginal
Youth Strategy and other related national and regional level initiatives;
Develop an inventory of programs and services
for and accessed by Aboriginal youth and best practices based on existing
data.
ENDNOTES
1 For the purposes of
this document, the term ‘Aboriginal’ includes all Aboriginal Peoples described
in Section 35 (2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.
2 The five national Aboriginal
organizations involved are: the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapirisat
of Canada, the Metis National Council, the Native Women’s Association of
Canada and the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.
3Quebec is taking part in the
working group to find new solutions without supporting a Canadian Aboriginal
Youth Strategy. Quebec is in the process of implementing its own
youth strategy, in which the government intends to reserve a place for
Native youth. The Government of Quebec has announced that it will
hold a Youth Summit in February 2000.
4 The statistics included in
this section are from “A Statistical Profile of Aboriginal Youth in Canada,
1996” by Stewart Clatworthy and Michael Mendelson, September 26, 1999;
the full summary is available in Appendix II of the Strategy (terminology
in this section differs from the original summary)
5 “A Statistical Profile of
Aboriginal Youth in Canada, 1996” by Stewart Clatworthy and Michael Mendelson,
September 26, 1999
Appendices
-
Description of existing Aboriginal youth advisory
bodies
II. Summary of "A Statistical Profile
of Aboriginal Youth in Canada, 1996" by Stewart Clatworthy and Michael
Mendelson, September 1996
III. Goals/Suggested Initiatives/Outcomes/Measures
Appendix I
Description of Existing Aboriginal Youth
Advisory Committees
Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
National Youth Steering Committee
The 2nd National Youth Conference
held March 8-11, 1999 in Ottawa passed two resolutions. One resolution
called for Chiefs to bring two youth (1 male/1female) from their communities
to Confederacy meetings, and Annual General Assemblies, to pass on the
knowledge of the political structures. The second resolution established
a steering committee to develop processes for youth involvement in the
Assembly of First Nations. Thirty-five youth volunteered to be members
of the steering committee, representative of most regional areas except
for the Yukon, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick where representation is being
recruited.
The Regional Vice-Chiefs were asked to
select members for the steering committee from the list of volunteers.
The Regional Vice-Chiefs from the Yukon, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick
were asked for Youth representatives for the Steering Committee.
Twenty youth from across the country gathered
in Vancouver to attend a National Mental Health Workshop and the Annual
General Assembly. The youth wrote their own resolution for the existing
steering committee members to develop a National Youth Council. The steering
committee will act in an advisory capacity and elect two spokespersons
(1male/1female) to carry forth the perspectives and views of First Nations
youth. The 20th Annual General Assembly unanimously passed this
resolution.
It is expected that the National Youth
Council will be established within two years, and that it will parallel
the Elders Council, which is an advisory body to the Executive Committee.
It is anticipated that a Youth council member will sit with the Elders
Council, and an Elder will sit with the Youth Council. The youth are extremely
pleased to become a voice within the AFN, and look forward to linking with
the elders and gaining their knowledge and insight on all issues that affect
First Nations.
National Inuit Youth Council
The National Inuit Youth Council (NIYC)
represents Inuit youth under the age of 30. The total population of Inuit
of Canada is 41,800, located in six regions. The regions are Inuvialuit,
Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, Baffin, Nunavik and Labrador, and in those regions
there are a total of 55 communities.
History
The National Inuit Youth Council was formed
in November 1994, in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik during the first National youth
summit. The executive was elected from the 65 delegates present: the President,
Vice-President, and the Secretary/Treasurer. It was established that each
region would have two representatives appointed by the region. There were
13 resolutions passed which included issues ranging from education, justice,
recreation, youth camps, communication, Inuit youth well-being, youth participation
in Inuit organizations, codes of conduct, and Inuit participation in United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
NIYC met in July 1995, in Ottawa, to draft
by-laws, a code of conduct and a mission statement. The meeting was very
successful and the mandate of that meeting was fulfilled.
The next NIYC summit was in February 1997
in Iqaluit, NT. There was strong support of NIYC’s existence and a new
executive was elected, with one major change; one member of the region
was appointed the Regional Youth Coordinator. It was decided at this meeting
that NIYC would take a different approach, rather than taking direction
from the National level down to the regions, it would be the regions giving
direction to the National level. This approach has had a positive impact
on the functioning of NIYC.
NIYC today
Regular conference calls arranged by the
Youth Intervenor of Inuit Tapirisat Canada to exchange project ideas, and
discuss federal and territorial/provincial project funding availability.
NIYC is working on several projects at the national level, which include
an elder/youth conference and establishing a national newsletter.
Métis National Youth
Advisory Council (MNYAC)
At the 1994 Métis National Council
(MNC) Annual Assembly held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the MNC was mandated
by way of resolution to create a Métis Youth Secretariat to address
the needs, concerns and issues facing the youth of the Métis Nation.
Subsequently, at the 1995 MNC Annual Assembly held in Calgary, Alberta,
Métis Youth representatives, from each of the MNC’s governing member
organizations attended and were given the opportunity to voice their issues,
concerns and explain the realities facing Métis youth today. At
this meeting youth drafted the principles and vision statement for the
MNC’s youth secretariat and began the process of creating the Métis
National Youth Advisory Council. After a year of working on implementation,
at the 1996 MNC Annual Assembly held in Ottawa, Ontario, the MNYAC’s ratified
the "Guiding Principles and Policies", solidifying the Métis Nation’s
youth movement within the MNC.
This recognition was a monumental step
for the Métis Nation and Métis youth from across the Homeland.
A self-sustainable youth initiative within Métis National Council
was realized. This has motivated youth to actively participate within the
Métis Nation at all levels. Major strides have been made though
youth-driven programming, local youth councils and a higher awareness of
youth issues within the Métis Nation.
The MNYAC is governed by its "Guiding Principles
and Policies". It consists of two representatives from each of the MNC’s
five governing member organizations which consist of Métis Provincial
Council of British Columbia (MPCBC), Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA),
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan (MNS), Manitoba Métis Federation
(MMF) and Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). Executive members that
include a Chair, Co-Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer are elected every year
by the MNYAC. The MNYAC works as a secretariat of the MNC and conducts
itself in an advisory capacity to MNC and its Board of Governors.
The MNYAC has achieved many successes on
behalf of Métis youth at the national level. Some of these successes
include hosting two national Métis youth conferences, holding AIDS/HIV
Talking Circles throughout the provinces, undertaking and completing a
Homeland-wide consultation on the Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth
Centres (UMAYC), administering international internships in partnership
with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and CIDA,
as well as, ensuring a Métis youth voice in numerous committees
and initiatives, including:
Minister of the Environment's National
Youth Roundtable
Aboriginal Business Canada's National Youth
Advisory Committee
Canadian Public Health Association's Aboriginal
Youth Health Career Committee
Future Trek 2000
Indigenous Sports Council
Aboriginal Justice Learning Network
Aboriginal Healing Foundation
Canadian Council on Social Development's
Youth Council for the 1998 Progress of Canada's Children Report Youth
Advisory Committee
Presently the MNYAC is working with the MNC
and its governing member organization in the administration and delivery
of the UMAYC initiative, finalizing its first national Métis youth
newspaper, developing a national Métis youth role model program
and acting as Co-Chair on the Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Aboriginal
Working Group developing a National Aboriginal Youth Strategy.
We must cherish our inheritance.
We must preserve our nationality for
the youth of tomorrow.
Louis Riel, 1885
Native Women’s Association of Canada
(NWAC)
NWAC Youth Structure
The NWAC Youth Council has been an integral
part of NWAC for many years. The Council consists of one youth representative
from each of the Provincial/Territorial Member Associations (PTMA’s). There
are currently 12 regions represented. The membership consists of young
Aboriginal women aged 17 to 25 who work to ensure that the voices of young
Aboriginal women are heard.
Within the Council, there are four regional
members and a National Youth Representative nominated to sit on the NWAC
Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of each region to ensure that
the youth know what is happening at the National level and within their
regions.
The Council is currently in the process
of revising the NWAC by-laws pertaining to youth. The Council also looks
at employment, social and educational issues related to Aboriginal youth.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)
Aboriginal Youth representation consists of a National Youth Representative
together with the Provincial and Territorial Youth Representatives. The
National Youth Representative is elected at CAP’s National Youth Conference
by the Provincial and Territorial youth delegates.
Each provincial and territorial jurisdiction
has structures to represent youth at the zone and local levels as well
as the provincial/territorial levels. The National Youth Representative
organizes the national discussion of issues by the provincial youth representatives
at meetings and conference calls and coordinates the communication of information
to provincial/territorial youth representatives on youth issues nationally.
For the Congress’s Annual General Meeting, each Provincial and Territorial
organization includes voting youth delegates as part of their representation.
The National Youth Representative sits as a voting member of the CAP’s
Board of Directors.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples held
a youth conference entitled "Aboriginal Youth in the new Millenium" in
Regina, Saskatchewan January 28-30, 1999. The conference included workshops
on various issues such as leadership, Aboriginal youth rebuilding, youth
and the media, employment, economic development, spirituality and other
workshops. The conference included elections of a National Youth Representative
and an open session where youth voiced their concerns on a wide variety
of issues including Aboriginal rights, health, Elders, homelessness, student
funding, children, residential school survivors, off-reserve and non-status
issues, information sharing, drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy,
racism, deconstruction of faulty stereotypes, need for youth centres, youth
as role models, community improvement, education and employment.
Appendix II
Statistical Profile of Aboriginal Youth
in Canada
Section 10: Summary of
Main Findings5
This report has presented a broad range
of statistical indicators of the demographic, social, cultural and economic
characteristics of Aboriginal youth in Canada. Although several data sources
are used in the study, most of the indicators are derived from the Census
of Canada and present the circumstances of Aboriginal youth in 1996. Where
possible, the study presents indicators at the national and provincial/territorial
levels, for on and off reserve locations, as well as for 11 urban centres
which contained particularly large Aboriginal populations in 1996. Key
findings of the study are summarized below:
Population and Demographic Characteristics
-
According to the 1996 Census, the population
reporting Aboriginal identity totalled 799,010, including 529,035 North
American Indians, 204,120 Metis, 40,220 Inuit and 25,635 others.
-
About 29 percent of the Aboriginal population
identified by the Census resided on reserve, 22 percent in off-reserve
rural areas, and 49 percent in urban areas.
-
In 1996, about 45 percent of the total Aboriginal
population lived in one of the three Prairie Provinces. Ontario and British
Columbia also accounted for large proportions of the total population.
-
Recent estimates suggest that the Aboriginal
population is growing at an average annual rate of about 2.3 percent, more
than twice the rate of the general Canadian population.
-
The Aboriginal population continues to display
a very "youthful" age structure. In 1996, the average age of the Aboriginal
population was about 25.5 years, roughly 10 years younger than the non-Aboriginal
population.
-
The 1996 population of Aboriginal youth (15-24
years) totalled 143,790 individuals. Youth formed about 18 percent of the
total Aboriginal population, compared to about 13 percent of the non-Aboriginal
population.
-
The population of Aboriginal youth is growing
more quickly (about 1.4 times faster) than the non-Aboriginal youth population.
-
Although the fertility rate of the Aboriginal
population is declining, it remains well above (about 1.6 times higher
than) that of the general Canadian population.
-
Aboriginal mortality rates are also declining,
although the average life expectancy of the Aboriginal population lags
the general population by about 6 years.
-
High rates of mobility characterize the Aboriginal
population, especially Aboriginal youth. Between 1995 and 1996, more than
one-third of Aboriginal youth reported a change in residence, a rate roughly
1.4 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal youth.
-
Migration (i.e. changing one's community of
residence) is also much more common among Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal
people. Between 1995 and 1996, about 13 percent of Aboriginal youth moved
to a new community, a migration rate about 1.3 times higher than that of
non-Aboriginal youth.
-
Aboriginal migration flows during the 1991-1996
period served to increase the population residing on reserve. Aboriginal
populations in off-reserve areas (both rural and urban) experienced losses
through migration during the period.
-
High rates of Aboriginal population growth
are projected to occur throughout the next 20-year period. Growth during
the 1996-2011 period is expected to occur at a rate of 1.8 percent annually,
about 1.7 times faster than the Canadian rate.
-
The population of Aboriginal youth is expected
to grow at a rate of about 1.4 percent annually through the 1996-2011 period.
A more rapid rate of growth (about 2.4 percent annually) is expected during
this period in the Aboriginal labour force age group (15-64 years).
Living Arrangements of Aboriginal Children
and Youth
-
In 1996, more than 1 in 10 Aboriginal children
were not living with their parents, a rate roughly 7 times that of non-Aboriginal
children.
-
About 3 of every 10 Aboriginal children lived
in a lone parent family, a rate roughly twice that of non-Aboriginal children.
In Winnipeg, Vancouver, Saskatoon and Regina roughly one-half of all Aboriginal
children lived with a lone parent.
-
In 1996, one-quarter of Aboriginal youth lived
in a lone parent family, a rate roughly 1.6 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal
youth.
-
In relation to non-Aboriginal youth, Aboriginal
youth were 3 times more likely than to be a lone parent and about 2.5 times
more likely to live with a common-law partner.
Health and Safety Circumstances
-
During the 1989-1993 period, the mortality
rate among registered Indian youth was about 3.6 times higher than that
of Canadian youth.
-
Roughly 78 percent of deaths among registered
Indian youth resulted from injuries or poisoning.
-
Suicide deaths accounted for nearly one-third
of all deaths among registered Indian youth. The rate among registered
Indian male youth was more than 5 times that of the Canadian youth rate.
Among female youth, the rate of suicide deaths among registered Indians
was nearly 8 times that of Canadian youth.
-
About 6.5 percent of all Aboriginal youth
reported disabilities, which limited normal daily functioning. The incidence
of disability among Aboriginal youth was about 1.7 times higher than among
non-Aboriginal youth.
-
Aboriginal youth accounted for roughly 36
percent of all youth admissions to remand during the 1997/98 fiscal period.
In all jurisdictions reporting data, rates of admission to remand were
substantially higher among Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal youth.
-
Aboriginal youth accounted for about 71 percent
of all admissions to remand in Manitoba. The rate of admission to remand
among Aboriginal youth in Manitoba was about 10 times higher than among
non-Aboriginal youth. Among female youth, the Aboriginal rate was more
than 22 times higher than the non-Aboriginal rate.
-
In 1996, the rate of incarceration (in federal
and provincial/territorial corrections facilities) among Aboriginal youth
aged 15-19 was about 9 times that of similarly aged non-Aboriginal youth.
Among youth aged 20-24 years, the Aboriginal incarceration rate was about
7 times higher than the non-Aboriginal rate.
Social Cohesion and Attachment to Culture
-
About 1 in 5 Aboriginal youth reported an
Aboriginal mother tongue in 1996, a rate about 2.5 times lower than that
of their grandparent's generation.
-
Only 15 percent of Aboriginal youth reported
use of an Aboriginal language in the home.
-
Nearly one-half of Aboriginal youth reported
at least occasional participation in traditional Aboriginal activities.
Only about one-quarter of Aboriginal youth, however, reported living off
the land for at least one week in 1991.
Human Resource Characteristics
-
About 69 percent of Aboriginal youth aged
15-19 years were attending school in 1996. Among youth aged 20-24 years,
the rate of school attendance was about 31 percent. Aboriginal school attendance
rates among both groups lagged behind those of non-Aboriginal youth.
-
In 1996, Aboriginal youth were considerably
less likely than non-Aboriginal youth to have attended university or another
post-secondary educational institution.
-
About 16 percent of Aboriginal youth aged
20-24 years who reported university attendance had earned a university
degree, roughly one-half the completion rate of similarly aged non-Aboriginal
youth. Among young adults (i.e. 25-29 years), the university completion
rate was about 2.2 times lower among the Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal
population.
-
More than two-thirds of Aboriginal youth who
were not attending school reported an education level below high school
certification.
-
Among Aboriginal youth not attending school,
about 11 percent had earned a high school diploma, eight (8) percent had
earned a non-university, post-secondary certificate and about 1 percent
had earned a university degree.
-
Educational levels among Aboriginal youth
lagged behind those of non-Aboriginal by a wide margin in all provinces
and territories and in both rural and urban areas.
Labour Market Behaviour and Outcomes
-
In 1996, Aboriginal youth were much less likely
than non-Aboriginal youth to be active in the labour market.
-
More than one-third of Aboriginal youth reported
unemployment in 1996. The unemployment rate of Aboriginal female youth
was about 2.1 times higher than that of their non-Aboriginal counterparts.
Male Aboriginal youth were about 2.3 times more likely than male, non-Aboriginal
youth to report unemployment at that time.
-
Roughly 28 percent of all Aboriginal youth
reported some employment in 1995. Nearly 80 percent of those who worked
reported employment on a partial year or part-time basis. Only 5.6 percent
of all Aboriginal youth reported working on a full-year, full-time basis
compared to about 10 percent of non-Aboriginal youth.
-
Although aboriginal youth were much less likely
to be employed on a full-time basis throughout 1995, among those that were;
employment income levels were comparable to similar non-Aboriginal workers.
In off-reserve locations, the average employment earnings of Aboriginal
youth who worked full-time throughout 1995, was about 98 percent that of
similar non-Aboriginal workers.
About 1 in 7 Aboriginal youth who worked
in 1996 was employed in the public sector; a rate roughly 1.8 times that
of non-Aboriginal youth.
Incomes and Income Adequacy
-
In 1995, average personal incomes among Aboriginal
youth lagged behind those of non-Aboriginal youth both on and off reserve
and in most provinces/territories.
-
In 1996, more than one-half of all Aboriginal
children lived in households with incomes below the Statistics Canada low-income
cut-off. The incidence of low income among Aboriginal children was about
2.3 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal children.
-
In both Manitoba and Saskatchewan more than
6 of every 10 Aboriginal children lived in a low-income household. Especially
high rates of low income were reported among Aboriginal children in Saskatoon
(74 percent), Regina (74 percent), Winnipeg (72 percent) and Edmonton (65
percent).
-
Aboriginal youth were also much more likely
than non-Aboriginal youth to live in a low-income household. In 1996, more
than 45 percent of all Aboriginal youth lived in households below the low
income cut-off, a rate roughly 1.9 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal
youth.
-
A majority of youth in the Prairie Provinces
and in all major prairie urban centres lived in low-income households in
1999.
Appendix III Goals/Suggested Initiatives/Desired
Outcomes/Measures of Success
Education
and Skills Development
To increase participation and success
in all aspects of education and training. |
-
Develop cross-cultural training
for teachers, administrators, and instructors;
-
Increase availability of and
access to distance education opportunities in rural and urban areas;
-
Develop initiatives to help
orient Aboriginal youth for entry into colleges, universities and other
post-secondary institutions;
-
Establish and review apprenticeship
training programs to ensure sensitivity to Aboriginal cultures, needs and
priorities;
-
Review and revise Provincial/Territorial
K-12 curriculum to ensure compatibility with Aboriginal cultures and perspectives;
-
Facilitate and support a representative
workforce in schools and post-secondary institutions (professional and
administrative);
-
Develop early childhood education
programs (0 to 6 years) with Aboriginal cultural components (such as "Health
Canada’s Aboriginal Head Start Initiative";
-
Implement Aboriginal studies
courses in university teacher education programs;
-
Celebrate Aboriginal youth achievements
by implementing award programs;
-
Introduce measures to facilitate
the ability of high school graduates to secure jobs;
-
Establish forums for Aboriginal
youth to learn about career opportunities such as career fairs and mentoring
programs.
|
Increase education attainment
levels for Aboriginal youth;
Increase high school completion;
Increase participation in post-secondary
education programs and graduate levels;
Increase participation in Apprenticeship
and trades training programs;
Increase Aboriginal youth participation
in the work force.
|
|
Health
To ensure that Aboriginal
youth have the capacity to enjoy healthy lifestyles. |
-
Implement a range of health
promotion, prevention, early intervention, treatment and rehabilitative
measures to address a range of often coexisting health challenges including:
-
Mental health and behavioural
disorders (including FAS/FAE);
-
Alcohol and substance abuse/addiction
issues;
-
Recruitment into the sex trade;
Sexually transmitted diseases;
-
Intentional and unintentional
injuries and deaths;
-
The need for physical activity;
-
The need for safe and healthy
families and communities; and
-
The need for healing.
-
Promote healthy lifestyles through
information on nutrition, traditional diets, fitness, etc;
-
Promote traditional healing
medicines and practices;
-
Provide youth that have been
involved in the sex trade with support, counselling, guidance and "Safe
Houses" to assist them in exiting from these activities.
|
Reduce incidence of alcohol
and substance abuse;
Decrease risk of diabetes and
HIV/AIDS;
Reduce incidents of teenage
pregnancy;
Decrease number of Aboriginal
youth involved in the sex trade;
Increase participation in sports
events by Aboriginal youth;
Reduced rates of Aboriginal
youth suicide.
|
|
Culture
To respect and promote all elements
of Aboriginal culture including language, history, customs, traditions,
knowledge and self-identity, values and heritage. |
-
Develop language and cultural
supports in communities in rural and urban areas;
-
Introduce cultural components
into Aboriginal youth programs;
-
Develop partnerships between
Aboriginal organizations and governments on cultural awareness issues and
programs;
-
Sponsor and support training
in traditional art forms and encourage new opportunities;
-
Encourage participation in cultural
programs and traditional ceremonies;
-
Recognize the need to promote
Aboriginal distinctiveness respectful of the uniqueness of Aboriginal peoples-First
Nation, Metis, and Inuit-reflected in the services and programs of governments.
|
-
Increase retention of Aboriginal
languages;
-
Increase knowledge and practice
of customs and traditions;
|
|
Sport
and Recreation
To encourage Aboriginal youth to
participate in sports, recreation and active living. |
-
Involve more Aboriginal youth
in lifelong sports, recreation and active living and educate them on the
benefits thereof;
-
Support recreation, sports and
active living at the community level to help Aboriginal youth develop leadership
and other skills;
-
Promote Aboriginal sport development
in Aboriginal Coaching Development; the North American Indigenous Games;
and through the National and Provincial/territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies.
|
Increased participation in sports,
recreation and active living by Aboriginal youth;
Increased number of Aboriginal
youth and Coaches participating in Aboriginal Coaching Development programs.
|
|
Social
To assist Aboriginal youth in achieving
their aspirations for an improved quality of life. |
-
Establish exchange programs
for Aboriginal youth between Aboriginal and other communities to encourage
learning experiences;
-
Support Aboriginal communities
in developing Aboriginal youth justice issues and programming such as early
intervention, diversion initiatives, community policing, restorative justice
and crime prevention;
-
Support child care and day care
programs focused on the needs of Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal
youth;
-
Promote education to celebrate
cultural distinctiveness;
-
Support the role of Aboriginal
communities in administering their own child protection and adoption services;
-
Establish components of Aboriginal
programs to address disability issues.
|
Decrease number of Aboriginal
children in care;
Increase availability of Aboriginal
adoptive families;
Decrease Aboriginal youth suicide
rates;
Decrease incidence of sexual
exploitation of Aboriginal youth and child abuse of Aboriginal youth;
Improve ties between Aboriginal
youth and their communities;
Reduce incidence of teenage
pregnancy;
|
|
Economic
To increase the awareness of Aboriginal
youth regarding a range of economic opportunities.
To increase Aboriginal youth participation
in these economic opportunities. |
-
Foster economic development
awareness for Aboriginal youth in terms of how they may participate in
opportunities arising out of land claims, self-government, business and
entrepreneurship;
-
Incorporate economic awareness
and information into school curriculum;
-
Facilitate job placement for
Aboriginal youth including skilled, professional and apprenticeship areas
to develop transferable skills in partnership with the private sector;
-
Prepare Aboriginal youth for
employment through job market analysis information, pre-employment
training, counselling and work experience in rural and urban areas;
-
Encourage partnerships with
the private and voluntary sectors to create employment opportunities for
Aboriginal youth;
-
Establish cross-cultural training
for the workplace and the private sector;
-
Establish programs to assist
Aboriginal youth in exploring careers.
|
Increase income levels for Aboriginal
families and youth;
Increase employment levels for
Aboriginal youth;
Increase labour force participation
rates across all professions;
Increase number of Aboriginal
youth business owners/partners;
|
|
Political
To support real opportunities to
participate in the political development of their communities, and in federal,
provincial and territorial political affairs. |
-
Develop programs to increase
the number and proportion of Aboriginal youth on public and private sector
boards, councils and committees;
-
Utilize existing Aboriginal
structures and institutions in the delivery of Aboriginal youth programs
and services;
-
Involve Aboriginal youth in
all levels of government where possible;
-
Develop training programs and
exchange information on governance structures between Aboriginal governments
and other governments;
-
Establish work exchange and
secondment programs between Aboriginal communities and governments;
-
Encourage creation of task forces
of Aboriginal youth on specific policy issues affecting Aboriginal youth;
-
Support leadership development
programs for Aboriginal youth.
|
Increase number of Aboriginal
youth on governing boards, councils and commissions;
Increase leadership skills amongst
Aboriginal youth
|
|
Process
To increase involvement of Aboriginal
youth in design and delivery of programs and services.
To develop integrated and co-ordinated
approach across departments and between organizations on Aboriginal youth
programs. |
-
Establish National Aboriginal
Youth Advisory Council to provide input into federal government policies
and programs;
-
Develop sampling of best practices
to inform the implementation of the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy;
-
Establish mechanisms for communicating
between governments and Aboriginal organizations on initiatives affecting
Aboriginal youth using advanced technology;
-
Recognize successful program
delivery mechanisms and ensure their application in different program areas;
-
Utilize delivery mechanisms
that enhance and support Aboriginal structures and institutions;
-
Support integration of programs
and delivery measures across departments and governments.
|
-
Increase participation and success
rates of Aboriginal youth attending Aboriginal specific programming.
|
|
Public
Education
To encourage and support strategies
designed to raise public awareness of issues and challenges facing Aboriginal
youth. |
-
Organize a National Aboriginal
Youth Conference to raise awareness regarding the National Aboriginal Youth
Strategy and to discuss its implementation;
-
Establish ways to share information
with Aboriginal youth on new and existing programs and services including
creation of an Aboriginal youth Website;
-
Disseminate statistical and
other research information on Aboriginal youth and Aboriginal youth issues;
and,
-
Develop a communications strategy
to inform governments, institutions, Aboriginal governments and Aboriginal
organizations and other parties of the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy.
|
-
Increased awareness of the issues
and challenges facing Aboriginal youth
-
Improved information sharing
and increased use of technology in disseminating information.
-
Increased knowledge of the National
Aboriginal Youth Strategy.
|
|