Boyle McCauley News

Since 1979 • April-May 2024 • Circulation 5000

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Opinion: Could Indigenous People be Affected by a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy?

The federal government claims to be preparing a national poverty reduction strategy. Not to be left out, the feds appear to be riding on the coattails of those already with their hand to the plow. Edmontonians should be aware of End Poverty Edmonton (which began in March of 2014 as the Mayor’s Task Force to Eliminate Poverty).

On April 25, the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations hosted a community consultation in partnership with the United Way, Tamarack Institute, and End Poverty Edmonton at Santa Maria Goretti Centre.

Kicking off the discussion, of course, was the question: how do you define poverty? A definition was supplied by End Poverty Edmonton, from 2016, that included the usual indicators: economic, social, and cultural resources. The first thing I pointed out is that people are whole beings and the spiritual aspect is excluded. Consider the medicine wheel. Someone at my table said it another way – that she was not spiritual or religious in any traditional sense, but had feelings about “another realm” where one can discover their own spirit. Another person pointed out that the physical was excluded as well. So much for the definition.

There was discussion about what indicates poverty – low education and poor health were at the top of the list. Long story made short, the last question was, “What can Canada do to reduce poverty?” I said, “Honour the treaties.” The government employee asked how that would reduce poverty. So, it was mentioned how treaties include education and health, which are not being honoured. First Nations people have to apply to their band that only get a small amount of money. The band members have to apply for a limited amount that never covers the full program costs. Health “benefits” which are actually “rights” continually get reduced. Not to mention Jordan’s Principle, where federal and provincial governments play jurisdictional football with Indigenous people – each claiming the other is responsible for certain payments while people go untreated waiting for a decision.

Jordan’s Principle aims to make sure First Nations children can access public services ordinarily available to other Canadian children without experiencing any service denials, delays or disruptions related to their First Nations status.

Payment disputes within and between federal and provincial governments over services for First Nations children are not uncommon. First Nations children are frequently left waiting for services they desperately need, or are denied services that are available to other children. This includes services in education, health, childcare, recreation, and culture and language. Jordan’s Principle calls on the government of first contact to pay for the services and seek reimbursement later so the child does not get tragically caught in the middle of government red tape. (First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada – fncaringsociety.com/jordans-principle).

Call your MP and let your voice be heard. I’ve done my part – I was there and now I’m informing you.

Sharon lives in Boyle Street.

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