InYTech

• Lack of clean water

  • The Council of Canada has stated that around 100 indigienous tribes are under a water advisory at any hour of the clock

    • There’s a total of water advisories 178 in May 2018, that have impacted 100 First Nations

    • Some have still been active for over 20 years

    • Every advisory equals approximately 5,000 people not being able to have clean water

  • The water filtration hasn’t been checked up frequently, thus resulting in this

  • The health problems as a result of these advisories are terrifying

    • Skin conditions from washing and internal digestion issues from drinking problems

​

• Bad living conditions

  • Practically similar to third world country living conditions, that’s how neglected they are

    • Terrible water conditions

    • Overcrowded homes

    • Barely any access to healthcare

    • Tons of children in the hands of child-welfare

    • Unemployment

    • The food there is inedible practically, with the high amounts of lead and mercury found in meat like fish

  • 64% of First Nations youth in the following province of Manitoba and Saskatchewan are in poverty

​

• High suicide rates

  • Because of these terrible living conditions, suicide was the option for many

  • In a month, around 21 people in their youth ages attempted suicide in 

  • The top cause of death for people under 44 for First Nations is suicide or injuries done to one’s self

  • The Inuit’s suicide rate is 11x higher than the world’s average suicide rate

​

• Education

  • One in three juveniles who are sentenced are aboriginal according to statistics in 2014

    • A lot of the youth have been facing social issues that hinder them from receiving education

    • Alcohol and drug abuse at home

    • Depression

    • Isolation

    • Nearby gangs

    • Teen pregnancy 

  • People in reserves have a 45% graduation rate in high school as compared to the people who aren’t on reserves, who have a 70% 

​

• High food costs (reserves are far, increasing travel costs)

  • Food is absurdly costly, especially in Northern First Nation tribes

    • 3 pounds of apples can be $3 in Ontario, but in those tribes, the price can be over $8 for the same product

    • A study in 2015 concluded that people in Toronto on average spend around $847 on groceries monthly, while First Nations up north have to spend more than $1,900

• Racism

  • Indigenous girls are more likely to be raped and murdered than others

  • The wait time is hospitals are more longer for Indigenous people, in addition, they are more likely to be disrespected during treatment

  • They are more likely to be sentenced if convicted, this also explains the 1 in 3 statistic in Education

  • This is all because of the Indian Act, a 144 year old racist act that dehumanizes First Nations, and more, leaving a non-physical scar in these people

​

• COVID and First Nations

  • In general, mental health is a problem increasing due to more isolation and the anxiety of COVID

  • In July 31, The fraction and number of First Nations living on reserves who also have COVID-19 is also equal to ¼ of the general population of canada

    • The death percentage of First Nations on reserves is also ⅕ of the Canadian population’s death percentage due to COVID

​

• Unemployment (From Statistics Canada, all gender, Aboriginal)

  • 84,580 indigenous people, according to Statistic Canada, are unemployed

    • Reasons for unemployment

      • Transportation, far away jobs

      • No work experience or not enough education

      • Shortage of jobs

      • Not knowing where to work or what to do

    • Things that might help according to sources

      • 11,300 think that more education on skills including technology, skill trades, etc.

      • 11,310 think that more education in general will benefit 

      • 1,750 would like more assistance when finding jobs and 1,370 would like assistance when writing resumes

​

• Food Insecurity

  • 48% of First Nations households in Canada have trouble putting food on the table

    • Compared to national food insecurity rate of 8.4%

      • Main cause: Higher prices for healthy food in rural/remote communities

  • Increasingly harder to access traditional food, which is healthier and a foundation to culture and traditions of indigenous communities

  • Key trend noticed by scientists: While traditional food is present, diet quality and nutrition improve

  • Less access to healthy food leads to higher obesity and diabetes rates

    • 82% of Indigenous adults are overweight/obese and 1/5th of adults have diabetes