Differences and similarities between First Nations and Inuit of Canada.

A few weeks ago, I was asked about the differences and similarities between First Nations and Inuit of Canada.

Faced with a daunting list of seemingly unrelated similarities and differences between First Nations and Inuit people, one may feel confused about them.

So, I propose to look at some of the main differences while exposing some of their similarities.

Children are issues of concern for all citizens of Canada

Why are there still more First Nations children in care right now than at the height of the residential school system?

Instead of being at home with their parents, brothers, and sisters, tens of thousands of First Nations children are in foster care, staying with distant relatives or living in institutions.

Moving Together to Have the Stories of the Inuit Heard

When you want to understand people, the best way to do it is to ask for their stories. When ordinary people can find safe places where they can tell their own stories, they want to know that their voices are heard. My walk of 8000 kilometers across Canada is a wonderful tool for CONNECTION. It is also about connecting people. Events happen. I meet many new people and we share.

My knowledge keeps me on the path

As you can tell, I will never be Inuit. But when I worked among them, I learned a lot from them.

Unfortunately, in line of my work in protection, I was confronted with a structure that had too much red tape bringing with it many walls for the Inuit women and so much oversight that women did not get the benefits of justice.

The spiritual meaning of truth and reconciliation for the tribes

I’m waiting to get walking again. Some people react to the fact that I’m not walking constantly. I get questions like “Aren’t you going to be late in your walk of 8000 kilometers"? What is your agenda? If you’re not walking, what is the sense"?

Major stresses in the Northern households are responsible for social problems

Although dozens of isolated indigenous communities in Canada have recently declared states of emergency due to suicide epidemics, unclean water, and a lack of adequate infrastructure, there is not yet into a common commitment to further the voice, the rights, and dignity of children.

In our rich country, 80% of food bank users are children

When I decided to start walking from Victoria BC, I was not anticipating my learning curve regarding poverty. As a mother, as an engaged citizen and as a walker with a mission to walk and talk, I was only aware that I needed to bring attention to critical issues facing the children of Nunavik.
My purpose is to empower women and children on their rights, about
their options and what it takes to actually make a difference.

From my meeting with Mayor Helps, it is an understatement to say that housing is a Canadian concern.

Although she did state that BC was in a good position to build social housing conditional upon the other half of the money coming from another source (CRD), my heart was skipping a beat thinking about the people of the North. In the case of BC, there is to be an announcement soon.

The story from here-THE CHILDREN NEED A VOICE

If there is one justice in this world, my project qualifies as one seeking justice. It has everything to do with life and about making sure we bring to others a strong sense of justice and the power of faith to achieve it.

Bridge the differences and build connections

Inuit are at or near the bottom of all indicators of core socio-economic well-being. The oppression has led Inuit people to lose contact with their culture and identity. But, despite the hardship and adversity in power, with a failing of the justice system, the importance of the family in the social, economic and political of the people highlights their ability to work TOGETHER to find relevant solutions for themselves. Such approaches, mobilizing all resources, provide steps that redefine culturally appropriate processes for the people.

The effects of settlement on the living conditions of Indigenous and Inuit people

The patience of the Inuit could pass for passivity but behind their serene equanimity hides a resilient people, of a curious and enterprising nature. They are patient and not passive. Arctic populations are somewhat in the image of their environment. Behind their nonchalant affability, they are exotic, adventurous, formidable survivors with an unusual inner strength in an adverse environment.

The solidarity of women in favor of profound changes is already underway

Despite the magnitude of the task, despite the appearance of what some call a waterproof wall, despite the dominant discourse that says that the Inuit accept their destiny, we must reject the attitude of "giving up" that there is nothing to do but wait.
Rather, the problems have been identified, measures to redress the situation in depth are being felt.

The complexity of the history of the indigenous people remains the distinctive feature they share

The day when hopes and gestures offer a more equitable development in remote areas, we will imagine that all children will no longer be condemned to live "social suffering". The historical processes of colonization, marginalization and coercive assimilation have contributed to poverty and the ensuing hardships. In my viewpoint, it is a violation of human rights. How can we build self-sufficient communities with the systems in place, the ones that keep the people down.

To communicate the little-known reality of the Inuit

To begin, all the previous texts were to serve to communicate the little-known reality of the Inuit people through their conditions of life. During my research, I realized that the history of many indigenous peoples were alike. The texts thus became more general, however, keeping in mind the real distinctions of far-away communities living away from one another affected by very similar problems. An example of these differences relates to Inuit communities. No roads, no judges, no equal opportunities for employment, but with the same tax obligations as all other Quebecers.  Their nordicity is not served very well in Nunavik: racism and discrimination don't set the tone for human rights.

Looking to the future, a priority on everyone's doorstep

How does the future look to the women of Nunavik?

How do they think they will organize community efforts to build resilient families and individuals?

How do they think they will teach non-violence and components of healthy relationships while developing codes of conduct that promote respect and strengthen non-violence?

How will they deal with poverty, food shortage, violence, suicide and generalized gender inequalities serving as prerequisites for trafficking in women and how will they protect their girls?

How will find the resources to ensure the children are safe?

Create Hope and an Echo of Humanity for the Indigenous People

I will not do a retrospective of the year because if we were to use a Quebec thermostat to measure the mood of Canadians in 2015, the needle would have fluctuated in different directions until the last election on October 19, 2015.

First Nations and Inuit children are made more vulnerable by the impact of many placements

The welfare of children is a responsibility shared by the entire society, but because of their vulnerability and dependence, some children suffer from poverty, abuse, injustice and inequality of access to protection.

Are all Canadian Citizens Equal in Value and Dignity?

A simple walk through the streets in any northern community plunges us headfirst into the local culture. In summer, carvers work outdoors feet legged, tools and stones before them, and in winter, we meet women wearing the traditional coat - amauti - their baby nestled in the huge cap.

No Child Should Take the Long Way Home is a grassroot initiative to help children in need of loving care, of a protective and stable environment to meet their basic needs for protection, shelter, and education and to reinforce family unity.

Taking care of communities for the well-being of the children

In Quebec, on average, 70% of Indigenous and Inuit households derive their income from social assistance. Canada is 78th in industrialized countries if we let statistics speak on the poverty of Indigenous and Inuit people. One in four children lives in poverty among Aboriginal and Inuit.

The children disappear behind the numbers and their poverty is concealed behind statistics that reflect a general improvement of the situation, but completely obliterate the disparities in our society.

No Child Should Take the Long Way Home is a grassroots initiative to help children in need of loving care, of a protective and stable environment to meet their basic needs for protection, shelter, and education.

The family life of the Inuit has been radically altered

With the meeting of the White people, the Inuit people have suffered a cultural upheaval that has questioned their ancestral traditions. Over the last sixty years, the Nunavik Inuit have been facing an unprecedented historical development. The provision of family-centered care would likely build more effective and supportive relationships with women experiencing domestic violence. Education, compassion and service is the way to promote values. Education with cultural sensitivity is the most powerful tool there is.

Rapid Changes in the Inuit Way of Life Turn the Lives of Some of Their Children Upside Down

Rapid changes have modified the Inuit nomadic way of life

The well-being of the Inuit, both physical and mental are a result of many factors including but not limited to the fact that rapid changes have modified the Inuit nomadic way of life over the past last 50-100 years.