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THE DEPARTMENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHES A NEW TOOL TO MEASURE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG FIRST NATIONS

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (October 29, 2004) - The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, released a study that compares the quality of life of First Nations communities and other Canadian communities.

This new study shows that the gap between First Nations communities and other Canadian communities is shrinking, but more needs to be done.

"Progress has been made on closing the gap in the quality of life between First Nations people and other Canadians in the last 20 years," said Minister Scott. "This tool shows us that we can make a direct link between investment and progress. We make progress when we invest in the right areas."

The Government of Canada has set course on an ambitious agenda aimed at improving Aboriginal lives in Canada. Followup work to the historic meeting of more than 80 Aboriginal leaders from across Canada with the Prime Minister and some 40 Parliamentarians at the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable held April 19, 2004, will focus building momentum and partnerships for progress in such key areas as health, education, housing, economic development, negotiations and achieving measurable results.

This study will help because it shows where improvements have been made and where significant gaps remain.

The Registered Indian Human Development Index examines the average level of well-being of registered Indians in comparison with other Canadians. It is based on a methodology developed by the United Nations which looks at three criteria: long and healthy life, education and income. The index measures well-being using Statistics Canada Census data and life expectancy estimates.

The First Nations Community Well-Being Index complements the Human Development Index, using four indicators - education, labour force activity, income and housing - to rank 4,685 Canadian communities with more than 65 inhabitants. A total of 541 First Nations communities are included in the index.

Key findings show that:

• The gap in quality of life between registered Indians and other Canadians narrowed between 1981 and 2001. Despite improvements, progress on narrowing the gap stalled between 1996 and 2001.
• Education has played a key role in reducing the gap because a larger number of First Nations people finished primary and secondary school.
• Well-being varies more among First Nations communities than among other Canadian communities. The First Nations communities that have the highest well-being are concentrated in southern British Columbia, southeastern Ontario and the Yukon. The widest gap in community well-being is in the Prairie provinces, where First Nations make up a higher proportion of the total population.
• Ninety-two First Nations communities appear in the bottom 100 Canadian communities in 2001, while only one First Nation appears in the top 100.

"While important, this study cannot be used as the sole basis for making decisions that will move the Aboriginal agenda forward," Minister Scott said. "We need to work together with Aboriginal leaders, and with provinces and territories, to continue to make progress in closing the unacceptable gap in quality of life for Aboriginal peoples."

For further information, contact:

Diane Laursen
Media Relations Officer, Communications
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Gatineau, Quebec
(819)994-2044

Campbell Morrison
Press Secretary
Office of The Honourable Andy Scott
Gatineau, Quebec
(819)997-0002

Backgrounder - The Importance of Measuring First Nations Well-Being

Frequently Asked Questions - Measuring First Nations Well-Being

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