According to Statistics Canada, 2016 Canada’s Indigenous population was estimated at 1.8 million in 2016. Canada’s Indigenous population could reach between 2.5 million and 3.2 million in 2041, with the average annual growth rate varying between 1.3% and 2.3% between 2016 and 2041.
The median age of the Indigenous identity population is projected to be between 38.2 and 38.4 years in 2041, up from 29.1 years in 2016.
In 2041, the Indigenous population could represent 5.4% to 6.8% of the Canadian population. In 2016, this proportion was 5.0%.
First Nations communities in general face complex socio-economic challenges, many brought about by the effects of inter-generational trauma. The communities served by QBOW are no different. Below are some of the challenges currently being faced by our communities and how QBOW is working with the communities to help address them.
Community Strengths:
Even with the challenges above, our communities have numerous strengths which aid us in our partnerships with them to ensure the best interests of children are always a top priority.
- Our communities are determined to enhance and integrate our diverse cultures, language, ceremonies, and cultural practices.
- They are concerned and interested in issues pertaining to child welfare issues within the community, and Bands and members are willing to partake in developing strategies to address child welfare concerns within their community.
- There is strong willingness and openness within our communities to participate in prevention programming, youth initiatives, programs, activities and services.
- Elders within each community assist us in developing and executing prevention programming and services by strengthening what we offer through cultural teachings, traditional and ceremonial protocol assistance, etc.
- Professional resources in the communities assist in the development and execution of Prevention programming and services. This could include yoga instructors, reiki instructors, hairdressers, sports specialist, life skills coaches, etc.
- Communities have strong beliefs in familial ties and commitment to the family unit and structure.
- The communities partner with each other on programs and services.
How QBOW Works With Communities:
QBOW endeavours to work with the communities to enhance child welfare services in the following ways:
- Provide resources that will help communities understand the impacts of poverty on child well-being.
- Establish and develop programs that will allow individuals to empower themselves through personal development.
- Engage in a consultative process that will facilitate a greater awareness of culture, tradition and language, and offer community-healing programs to deal with the effects of Indian Residential Schools.
- Provide structured community-based programming that will meet the needs of families, with its main focus being on culture.
- Provide support and community-based programming to help address issues that result from substance abuse, bullying and family violence.