Preventing suicide among aboriginal teens

Jan. 31, 2008 - Suicide is a grave problem among aboriginal people– the most recent stats, from the Canadian Institute of Child Health, found 126 out of every 100,000 native people has committed suicide, compared with 24 per 100,000 in the rest of the country. Read More>>

N.W.T. research suggests Inuit genetic link to respiratory infections

Jan. 30, 2008 - Research by health officials in the Northwest Territories is raising questions about a possible genetic link between Inuit babies and respiratory infections. Read More>>

Failing grade for Aboriginal health

Jan. 30, 2008 - A report released by Statistics Canada shows many aboriginal people need to change their eating habits if they hope to avoid becoming overweight. Read More>>

Aboriginal nursing funding

Jan. 27, 2008 - Aboriginal students in the Okanagan-Shuswap are getting some educational funding. Read More>>

Natives truly are what they eat; Sugar intake inflaming diabetes

Jan. 26, 2008 - Type 2 diabetes was once virtually unheard of in children, but today, aboriginal children barely in grade school are suffering from the disease. Read More>>

Study praises Head Start program

YELLOWKNIFE, Jan. 25, 2008 - Children in Ndilo and Yellowknife are benefiting from the Aboriginal Head Start Program, according to a study released Jan. 18. Read More>>

Ottawa creates Inuit health office

Jan. 25, 2008 - The federal government, in a move that follows a persistent lobbying effort by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, will create an Inuit-specific unit inside Health Canada. Read More>>

Getting aboriginal youth to butt out could prevent many future cancers

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2008 - Rob Hurley was just 13 the first time he lit up a cigarette and started down the road to becoming a full-time smoker. Picking up the habit wasn't all that unusual for someone so young - tobacco use where he grew up was all around him. Read More>>

Inuit lifespan stagnates while Canada's rises

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2008 - The Inuit in Canada's far north have lifespans 12 to 15 years shorter than the average Canadian's, government data showed on Wednesday, putting the aboriginal people on a par with developing countries such as Guatemala and Mongolia. Read More>>

Study says Inuit lifespans actually shrinking as average lifespans increase

Jan. 23, 2008 - In a country where people live longer and longer, a groundbreaking study of life expectancy trends in the Arctic suggests Inuit lives are actually getting shorter. Read More>>

Higher obesity rates found in off-reserve aboriginal people: study

Jan. 23, 2008 - Aboriginal people living off-reserve are two and a half times more likely to be overweight than non-aboriginal people, according to Statistics Canada. Read More>>

Young aboriginal women most likely to be overweight: report

OTTAWA, Jan. 23, 2008 - The poor eating habits of young aboriginal women could be a driving force behind the difference in obesity rates between Canada's aboriginal and non-aboriginal population, according to a report released Wednesday by Statistics Canada. Read More>>

Funds aimed at aboriginal health

WINNIPEG, Jan. 23, 2008 - Ottawa is spending $15.8 million over three years -- including $1.76 million in Manitoba -- to support regional research into aboriginal health issues. Read More>>

Suicide rate in Hazelton alarming: Northern Health

Jan. 23, 2008 - Recent suicides and suicide attempts in the community of Hazelton is of major concern to Northern Health. Read More>>

Parliamentary Secretary Fletcher announces more than $15 million for the creation of an Aboriginal Health Research Network

WINNIPEG, Jan. 22, 2008 - Today the Government of Canada announced an investment of $15.8 million over three years through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to create the Network Environments for Aboriginal Health Research (NEAHR). Read More>>

Project aims to knock down smoking rates

THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 22, 2008 - In an effort to lower smoking rates among the local aboriginal community, the Dilico Anishinabek Family Care facility is set to launch a smoking cessation pilot project. Read More>>

Public Health Agency of Canada: Get up, Go out and Be WinterActive!

OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 22, 2008 - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today with ParticipACTION celebrated the launch of WinterActive 2008 by leading a group of local community residents and grade school students in a snowshoe relay race at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario. The event was kicked off with a demonstration of traditional Métis sport by Tony Belcourt, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Read More>>

Reserve water quality still lags: FSIN

Jan. 22, 2008 - Water quality on Saskatchewan reserves may be improving, but it's not acceptable, says Vice-Chief Morley Watson of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Read More>>

High Arctic STD rate raises fears of greater HIV in the North

Jan. 21, 2008 - New research suggests that some sexually transmitted diseases are spreading much more quickly in the Arctic than in southern Canada. Read More>>

Long-distance health care – literally

HALIFAX, NS, Jan. 20, 2008 - While provincial politicians loudly debate the future of health care, a rural Nova Scotia GP and his nurse-wife are quietly showcasing one possible option - for patients 8,000 kilometres away. Read More>>

Drinking water troubles on reserves improving, report says

OTTAWA, Jan. 18, 2008 - The number of native reserves with high-risk drinking water has been cut by more than half over the past two years, according to a federal report. Read More>>

Suicides: trapped between old and new

Jan. 18, 2008 - On New Year's Day a 22-year-old woman from Sanikiluaq hanged herself, beginning another year of suicide in Nunavut. Read More>>

Government of Canada Reports Substantial Progress in Improving First Nation Water Quality

NIPISSING FIRST NATION, ON, Jan. 17, 2008 - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, today released a progress report on the Plan of Action for Drinking Water in First Nations Communities, outlining improvements made in water quality on reserves across Canada. Read More>>

High suicide rate persists in Nunavut: coroner

Jan. 18, 2008 - Suicide continued to be a major social ill for Nunavut in 2007, the territory's chief coroner says. Read More>>

Aboriginal Women Believe Dire Housing Situation Needs to be Addressed

OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 17, 2008 – The 2006 Census report concerning Aboriginal peoples was recently earlier this week, highlighting a dramatically growing population, a youthful population, and a continued lack of adequate housing. Read More>>

Feds announce funding hikes for Inuit-specific health services

KUUJJUAQ, QC, Jan. 17, 2008 - Days after Statistics Canada released data underlining the dire health situation of many Inuit communities, Federal Health Minister Tony Clement has announced modest funding increases for Inuit-specific health services as well as for the creation of an office on Inuit health. Read More>>

Leaders Gather to Address Inuit Health Priorities

KUUJJUAQ, QC, Jan. 17, 2008 – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President, Mary Simon and Russell Copeman, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Social Services, Quebec co-chaired the first ever National Inuit Health Summit today. Read More>>

Telehealth Up and Running in Yukon Communities

WHITEHORSE, Jan. 17, 2008 – Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers today announced that all Yukon communities have improved health care services with the expansion of the Yukon Telehealth Network. Read More>>

The CSB and AENQ Unite Against Violence

MONTREAL, Jan. 17, 2008 - The Cree School Board (CSB) and the Northern Quebec Teaching Association (AENQ) are joining forces against violence in the schools of Eeyou Istchee through the creation of a joint awareness campaign to prevent violence in schools and centres on the handbook on prevention and intervention in cases of violence against education workers introduced in September 2007 by the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) and the Centre de recherche et d'intervention sur la réussite scolaire (CRIRES). Read More>>

Native care centres beneficial to culture

Jan. 18, 2008 - Krystal Lascelles and others feel they have the numbers to back aboriginal day care. Read More>>

Canadian Nurses Association Forecasts Strong Health System - Access Issues to Disappear

OTTAWA, Jan. 17, 2008 - By 2020, problems with access to health services will be eradicated and registered nurses will be central to Canada's primary care system, predicts the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) in Vision for Change, a vision statement for Canada's health system and a signature component of their 100th anniversary, released today. Read More>>

Aboriginals Face Vast Disparities

Jan. 17, 2008 - From overcrowded shacks to spacious suburban-style homes, Canada’s aboriginals live in a nation divided. Read More>>

Minister Clement Announces Initiatives to Improve the Health of Inuit at the First-ever Inuit Health Summit in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik

KUUJJUAQ, QC, Jan. 16, 2008 - The Honourable Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health, today delivered remarks at the first-ever Inuit Health Summit held in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Québec, and announced new project initiatives that will improve the health of Canada’s Inuit, as well as support for an Inuit-specific Mental Wellness Team, and an Office of Inuit Health. Read More>>

Helping survivors to heal

DARTMOUTH, N.S., Jan. 16, 2008 - Post-compensation challenges that could face residential school survivors are the focus of meetings in metro involving the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. Read More>>

Census numbers portray 'crisis' among Inuit: Simon

Jan. 16, 2008 - A Canadian Inuit leader said she's worried about new statistics that show poor conditions among Canada's Inuit, from crowded houses to fewer people using traditional languages. Read More>>

Cities 'need aboriginal plans'

Jan. 16, 2008 - Census data showing that in B.C. more aboriginal people live off reserves than on them should prompt the government to develop long-term social strategies in cities, says the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. Read More>>

Gap in age between aboriginal and general population grows to 13 years

NATUASHISH, N.L., Jan. 15, 2008 - The ravages of alcohol, drugs and suicides lie in a cemetery on the outskirts of this remote coastal settlement in northern Labrador. Read More>>

'To forget and forgive'

ROSEAU RIVER, MB, Jan. 15, 2008 — Shirley Littlejohn lives on the Roseau River First Nation, about 80 kilometres south of Winnipeg. Read More>>

Native youth flock to cities

Jan. 15, 2008 - British Columbia's aboriginal youths are taking to the city and giving the government something to think about. Read More>>

Aboriginal numbers soar, census shows

OTTAWA, Jan. 15, 2008 - Canada's aboriginal population has increased 45 per cent over a decade and cracked the one-million mark for the first time since records have been kept, new census data indicate. Read more>>

Number of aboriginals in crowded dwellings drops

OTTAWA, Jan. 15, 2008 -- Aboriginal Canadians are almost four times as likely as non-aboriginals to live in a crowded home and three times as likely to live in one that needs major repairs. Read More>>

Big cities, big aboriginal population: urban trend stresses service agencies

OTTAWA, Jan. 15, 2008 - Canada's native population has topped the million mark for the first time in the latest census, with slightly more than half the country's 1.2 million aboriginals living off reserve. Read More>>

Census offers detailed snapshot of aboriginals but thousands not counted

OTTAWA, Jan. 13, 2008 - Canada's census takers were welcomed by a record number of First Nations in 2006, but some of the country's most populous reserves still shunned the process. Read More>>

Hazelton teens treated to Canucks game

VANCOUVER, Jan. 12, 2008 - Six teenagers from the troubled Interior community of Hazelton were treated to their first-ever live Canucks hockey game last night, courtesy of the RCMP. Read More>>

Federal health minister announces pilot project for First Nations health care

Jan. 11, 2008 - Standing before Treaty Three First Nations leadership, federal Health Minister Tony Clement announced Thursday an investment of $3.7 million in funding for public health services. Read More>>

First nation vows to stop uranium mine

TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2008 - Aboriginals in eastern Ontario warn that they will occupy a proposed uranium mine north of Kingston later this month unless the province calls a halt to the project. Read More>>

HIV a stigma in aboriginal communities

Jan 10, 2008 - HIV rates among Canada's aboriginal community continue to rise at alarming rates – and women face the highest risk. Read More>>

Government of Canada Funds Groundbreaking First Nations Public Health Initiative

KENORA, ON, Jan. 10, 2008 - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, today announced that the Government of Canada is investing $3.7 million to ensure that public health services can be more efficient and effectively delivered in First Nations communities across Ontario. Read More>>

Inuit Health Summit

KUUJUAQ, NU, Jan. 9, 2008 - Achievement of equitable health status for Canadian Inuit, the sharing of Inuit-specific health data and increasing the number of Inuit health care workers are the focus of discussions next week. Read More>>

Aboriginal program co-ordinator loves new job promoting active living

STEPHENVILLE, Jan. 10, 2008 Valentina Nolan says her new job as program co-ordinator for the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador (Bay St. George area), gives her the opportunity to give back to surrounding communities. Read More>>

Nunavut residents commit suicide for different reasons: researcher

Jan. 9, 2008 - Nunavummiut contemplate or commit suicide for different reasons than people anywhere else, according to a recent study. Read More>>

Literacy rates low

Jan. 08, 2008 - A majority of urban-based First Nations and Metis people in Saskatchewan do not have the literacy skills to cope in today's society, according to a Statistics Canada study. Read More>>

Shift away from land linked to suicide rate

Jan 07, 2008 - New research comparing suicide trends in different Arctic regions offers fresh insight into the roots of a social dysfunction that snuffs out the lives of dozens of young Inuit every year – and suggests there is hope for a turnaround. Read More>>

Native Suicide Surge Rooted in Colonial Traumas

Jan. 7, 2008 - Most Canadians and the international community are unaware that suicide rates for Inuit are 11 times higher than the Canadian average. Read More>>

Involvement key in Yukon's revamped Children's Act

Jan. 7, 2008 - A number of changes, some of which would give First Nations more involvement in child and family issues, are proposed in the Yukon's long-awaited overhaul of its Children's Act. Read More>>

Centre's plight inspires flood of donations

VANCOUVER, Jan. 7, 2008 - A recent Globe and Mail article on the plight of Vancouver's Aboriginal Mother Centre, which closed after the loss of government funding, has spurred the donation of enough money to re-open the centre for several days. Read More>>

Funding addresses violence in aboriginal communities

Jan. 7, 2008 - When it comes to violence, the old adage rings true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Read More>>

Research tracks Inuit modernization with suicide, offers hope for improvement

Jan. 6, 2008 - New research comparing suicide trends in different Arctic regions offers fresh insight into the roots of a social dysfunction that snuffs out the lives of dozens of young Inuit every year - and suggests there is hope for a turnaround. Read More>>

Natives still unhappy with water

OTTAWA, Jan. 4, 2008 - Despite government programs that have poured $1.6 billion into First Nations water systems since 2003, more than one-third of those who live on reserves still believe their water is unsafe to drink. Read More>>

Alaska cracks down on alcohol smuggling

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, Jan. 4, 2008 - Charlie Cross counted how many friends and relatives took their own lives over the years and came up with 19, all Alaska Natives. Read More>>

Fit for a challenge

WETASKIWIN, AB, Dec. 31, 2007 – A Cree fitness co-ordinator is pumped about improving health on the reserve. Read More>>

Death's doorstep

HAZELTON, B.C., Dec. 29, 2007 - Eight suicides and 111 attempts this year have left a B.C. community reeling. Read More>>

Program to help native children in foster care a lifetime in the making for elder

VICTORIA, B.C., Dec. 29, 2007 - Robert Nye has been an urban aboriginal for most of his life, far from the remote Cortes Island community where he started. Read More>>

Uranium Cuts a Tragic Path Through the Navajo Nation

Dec. 29, 2007 - Head of the Uranium Education Project at Diné College, Perry Charley and I are out in the windswept canyons of the Navajo Reservation, looking at the legacy of uranium mining and its sad and tragic intertwining with Navajo lives and livelihood. Read More>>

Improving Quality Of Life For Indigenous Peoples

Dec. 22, 2007 - Further efforts are needed to improve the health and wellbeing of indigenous peoples in developed countries all over the world, according to a report published in the online open access journal, BMC International Health and Human Rights. Read More>>

Funding Provided to Combat Violence in Aboriginal Communities

Dec. 21, 2007 - Nine new projects to address violence against Aboriginal women and children have been funded through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Violence Prevention Initiative. Read More>>