Poverty issues need to be addressed

The Closing the Gap 2011 campaign is calling for First Nations poverty to be addressed during the federal election.
“It’s unacceptable that First Nations poverty continues to exist in this day and age,” said Bob Goulais, a campaign organizer from Nipissing First Nation. “We are not speaking about poverty as a metaphor. We’re talking about real child poverty, homelessness and Third World conditions right here in Canada. This should be a significant election issue. Resolving First Nations poverty should (be) a priority for each and every party and politician in this country.”
The Closing the Gap 2011 campaign reports Campaign 2000 found one in four First Nations children live in poverty as compared to one in six for non-Aboriginal children; Status of Women Canada found rates of poverty for Aboriginal women are double that of non-Aboriginal women; and the federal government found Aboriginal people in Canada were four times more likely to experience hunger as a direct result of poverty.
“There is a significant socio-economic gap between First Nation and all other Canadians,” Goulais said. “Just take a look at health determinants, incarceration rates, unemployment rates, income levels and education levels. First Nations are at a significant disadvantage.”
The Closing the Gap 2011 campaign, supported by the Assembly of First Nations, Native Women’s Association of Canada and the Union of Ontario Indians, is calling for a First Minister’s Meeting on Aboriginal People to develop a comprehensive strategy to eliminate child and family poverty and to close the gap between First Nations people and all Canadians. It also seeks budget provisions to increase support to First Nations families and to resolve long-standing issues with the First Nations labour force.
“Closing the gap is an urgent priority that will benefit First Nations and all Canadians,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. “During the federal election campaign, we invite all Canadians to learn more about First Nations and the potential we have to support one another.”