THE CRISIS OF ABORIGINAL CHILDREN IN CANADA'S NORTH

                           

                 Crisis of Aboriginal Children in Canada’s North

August 27, 2018

It is about two years since I wrote the following short comment about the conditions, and lives, of Canada’s aboriginal peoples.

Unfortunately, very little positive results have come to fruition. However, it appears the Federal investigation into murdered and missing aboriginal women and girls has been a bit of a disaster. The bickering and lack of understanding, and common sense, among the appointed members and invites, to share their stories has been mindboggling. The change in attitude toward our First nation people I had hoped would emerge during this process did not. Quite the contrary.

These are personal observations and opinions from a lay person, who has observed, and had a deep interest in Canada’s Aboriginal/First Nations people for over a half century.

It is hard to decide where to start when talking about the problems of Canada’s Aboriginal/First Nations people, there have been so many for so long. The latest, and worst in many years, is the epidemic of suicide among the very young on Reserves throughout northern Canada.

There have been many commissions over the years, the latest and probably the best is “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.” This Commission was chaired by the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair. Many excellent recommendations have been made to the Government of Canada by this commission.

Unfortunately, concrete results resulting from prior commissions reports, in most respects have resulted in very little, if any results. I personally do believe this one, will bring meaningful, and positive action, within a relatively reasonable time.

Now in November, 2016, the media are full of sad stories of very young children in Northern Saskatchewan killing themselves.

LOON LAKE — Another indigenous girl has taken her own life in northern Saskatchewan — the fifth this month.

Four other girls between 10 and 14 have taken their own lives this month in northern communities, including Stanley Mission, Deschambault Lake and La Ronge.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is calling the suicides a crisis that requires more action from the federal and provincial governments.

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This has been happening in all the Territories and provinces within Canada for many years, the causes are of course complex, and there can be no quick fix. But there is no doubt, help for individuals is required as soon as humanly possible. By this I mean one on one consultation, not any broad brush, theoretical, lets get a royal commission appointed, type of response.

There is obviously a dire need for professional assistance with the Mental and Emotional health for this needy segment of the Canadian society. The Federal Government has made an effort in this regard, with recommendations from the “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.”  Unfortunately, this help appears to only aimed at survivors of the “Indian residential Schools’, with some rather unspecific criteria re who qualifies. One thing though appears true – it is not helping the latest teenage group.

Our First Nation people have been mistreated by successive Federal Governments since confederation. These people have grown through generations, hearing stories of broken promises, and with personal observations that continue to this day to reinforce the belief that they are not only treated as second (or third) class citizens, but are. There have been recent reports by First Nation people, of RMPC abuse.  This is not new. Neither is having their account of the abuse rather summarily dismissed in court. A police officer’s word always carries more weight at court (without video) than an average citizen. The word of an Aboriginal person against a police officer appears to have considerably less. Accounts of this sort over the years will not tend to reinforce a strong self image.

Fortunately, this attitude that First Nation People are in anyway inferior, is being dispelled by many up and coming, First Nation women and men who are using the various media and information technology outlets to great advantage. These educated people are about to change the playing field of federal politics in Canada forever.

Getting back to the deaths of young people on Reserves, I of course do not have the audacity to claim what the reason is for these shrill cries for help. What is obvious to me though, whatever all the various and maybe never known reasons – a very, very deep depression must be present within the hearts of these fragile, lovely, young girls.