Aboriginal Poverty in Urban Areas of Canada

     First, there is a host of sociological evidence which links poverty and crime. Whatever the perceived reasons of Aboriginal poverty are, to reduce it is to reduce crime, which affects us all.

     Second, high levels of unemployment among Aboriginals equates to a smaller workforce. In providing the marginalized poor with the skills to enter the workforce, we are reducing levels of unemployment in our cities, and in our country as a whole. There are a number of trades out there which are all but crying for more workers, and with the baby boomers set to retire in the near future, we can not afford to keep this growing segment of the population marginalized.

     Third, if people who were once poor now have money, it will be spent on goods and services, which will stimulate the economy. It’s good for everyone.

     Fourth, those who are poor, by and large, tend to have higher rates of sickness, may live in areas where they are more prone to being victims of crime and physical abuse, and require the use of social services such as health care, welfare, and subsidized housing. By alleviating the issue of Aboriginal poverty, the burden placed on all such services can be significantly reduced. These services, in case one has forgotten, are paid for by everyone’s tax dollars.

     Fifth, if ways are found to not only alleviate poverty among Aboriginals, but revive their culture—one which has been whittled away by attempts at assimilation over the years—an explosion of cultural events may well follow, and contrary to what some might think, taking in new cultures and expanding one’s horizons is not detrimental to your health.

     There are many factors which contribute to the high level of aboriginal poverty in urban areas, “including lower labor force participation rates and higher unemployment rates, in turn the result of lower education levels, greater incidence of single parent families, poor health and living conditions, social instability, and the barriers of institutionalized racism.” (Loxely, 2003) By working towards ending aboriginal poverty, we are reducing crime rates, increasing employment rates, increasing consumer spending in the economy, reducing the burden on social services, and increasing our own cultural knowledge and diversity. We all stand to gain.

Bibliography

1. Anderson, John. Aboriginal Children in Poverty in Urban Communities. Ottawa, Canadian Council on Social Development, 2003.
2. Curry, Bill & Howlett, Karen. Natives Died in Droves as Ottawa Ignored Warnings. Ottawa, Globe and Mail, 2007.
3. Kuran, Heidi. Residential Schools & Abuse. National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization (Niichro), 2000.
4. Kahtou. “Hidden Discrimination and Polite Racism Prevents Aboriginal Peoples and Visible Minorities From Gaining Equal Access to Jobs, Study Finds. Toronto, Kahtou News, 2001.
5. Loxely, John. Aboriginal Economic Development in Winnipeg. Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, 2003.
6. http://ams.whitematter.ca/uploads/services/06_general_abuse_-_final.pdf British Columbia, University of British Columbia.
7. Sharlene, Frank. Family Violence in Aboriginal Communities. Queen’s Printer, Taskforce on Family Violence, 1992.