First Nations: The Facts and the Misconceptions
Do most First Nations live off-reserve?No. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada figures for 2004 indicate that more than 53% of First Nations citizens live on-reserve (391,459 of 733,626 First Nation citizens). A further 23,963 reside on Crown lands, for a total of 57%. Less than half of all First Nations citizens – 43% (318,204) – live off-reserve.
It is often stated that up to “70%” of Aboriginals in Canada live off-reserve. This is a misleading figure because the term “Aboriginals” includes the Métis and Inuit. The Métis and Inuit do not have reserves; therefore, including them in on- and off-reserve statistics skews the result in a misleading manner.
Are most First Nations citizens leaving reserves?
No. The statistics above prove this is not the case. In addition, other recent data (the 2001 census) indicates that First Nations citizens are not leaving reserves. In fact, that census reported that more people are moving to reserves than are leaving (there was a 4000 person “net gain” in the on-reserve population). This shatters the myth that First Nations people are leaving their communities in droves. Those who do leave are not, as is sometimes stated, “voting with their feet”. Many leave because they want to pursue secondary or post-secondary education, are on waiting lists for houses, or need to find employment off the reserve. As the census data shows, many of these people return when they can. The AFN’s current 10 year plan to close the gap in living conditions between First Nations and the rest of Canada proposes improving economic opportunities, housing and other social and economic factors so that all reserves are viable and healthy communities. Some reserves are doing very well economically and socially and we can learn from these examples.
Do First Nations people receive more government spending than other Canadians?
No. In fact, the average Canadian gets services from the federal, provincial and municipal governments at an amount that is almost two-and-a-half times greater than that received by First Nations citizens.
How is this so? “Typical Canadians” get services from three levels of government: federal, provincial and municipal. First Nations deal mainly with one government: the federal government (a relationship is enshrined in the Treaties and the Constitution). First Nations citizens therefore receive less even though the needs are greater. There are huge backlogs in housing, for example, and the housing that is provided to First Nations is generally of a lower quality than that in provincial housing programs. Housing, like post-secondary education, is an area where it might appear that First Nations are getting special treatment. However, these responsibilities stem from the give-and-take negotiations of Treaties and historic rights enshrined in the Constitution.
Does the federal government spend $8 billion (or more) on First Nations people every year?
This figure is often used in media and public statements. In fact, the $8 billion figure is an estimate of what was spent in fiscal year 2003-2004 on Aboriginal peoples.http://www.afn.ca/article.asp?id=2917#_edn1 A projection for this fiscal year would suggest that the number will rise to $8.5 billion in 2004-2005.[ii]
Included in the numbers is funding for Inuit, Métis, “non-status” Indians, administration and bureaucracy at the federal level, and money paid to Provinces, Territories and private organizations to carry out programs on behalf of the Federal Government.
Of that funding, just over five billion dollars was allocated to the Indian and Inuit Affairs Program of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in 2004.
If the federal government is spending more on First Nations every year, why aren’t First Nation reserves keeping up with the rest of the country?
Because the spending is not wisely targeted, the federal system is “broken” (according to the Auditor General) and the resources do not keep pace with population growth or inflation.
It is not widely known that, in 1996, the government instituted a 2% cap on funding increases for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. Up to that point, the gap in social and economic conditions between First Nations and the rest of Canada had been slowly closing. In the ten years since the cap was instituted, we have seen the gap re-open substantially because the 2% cap does not reflect inflation or First Nations population growth.
When adjusted for inflation and population factors, however, core funding contributions from the federal government to First Nations have decreased by 13% since 1999-2000. More specifically, funding for housing decreased by 27% between 1996-97 and 2001-2002 and funding for education decreased by 7% in that same time period. One can claim that in pure dollars resources are increasing, but in real dollars First Nations governments are forced to try and do more, with less.
Why are reserves and treaties so important to First Nations?
Reserves are more than just communities to First Nations. In many cases, they represent what they retain of their traditional territories. While the land base is far from adequate, many First Nations have a deep attachment to the lands of their ancestors. Reserves represent lawful obligations of the Crown to First Nations, and are part of the foundation of Canada itself. First Nations’ lawful obligations usually stem from land claims; Treaties; and litigation. In each case, the Crown owes a debt to First Nations. These lawful obligations are not “special treatment”. If the government were to wrongfully appropriate a house or dump toxic waste in the backyard, the individual or community would expect a right to redress. First Nations seek no less. Lawful obligations must be seen as just that – legal obligations.
Treaties are part of Canada’s legal code. But they are more than that. They are living documents, which reflect not only their written word but, as many Supreme Court decisions have affirmed, the spirit and intent of the original discussions between First Nations and the newcomers. The Treaties represent Nation-to-Nation agreements. They were not land deals, but rather agreements aimed at peaceful co-existence and sharing. Canada was founded through partnership and mutual respect with the First Peoples of this land. All Canadians should be proud of the Treaties and what they represent.
http://www.afn.ca/article.asp?id=2917#_ednref1 This number is based on Treasury Board Secretariat’s Main Estimates for 2003-04, available at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp
[ii] Projections are based on Treasury Board Secretariat’s Main Estimates for 2004-05. Also available at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp
Courtesy AFN http://www.afn.ca/article.asp?id=3