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The two following press releases highlight the challenges facing First Nations as they cope with poor housing, poverty, poor nutritional food ...

AFN press release

National Chief says Poverty and Lack of Access to Affordable, Healthy Foods the Main Reason for First Nations Childhood Obesity Epidemic

OTTAWA, March 29 - Tuesday's release of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health's report on childhood obesity, "Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids", has recognized the underlying and confounding causes of poverty that have a direct outcome in terms of prevalence for obesity for First Nations children.

"The Committee's careful consideration of the evidence showing the alarming trend that more than half of First Nations children are either overweight or obese is a validation of our position that the federal government needs to honour its responsibilities to First Nations children, their families and communities," said National Chief Phil Fontaine.

"Childhood obesity among First Nations children is directly linked to overcrowding, poor access to healthy foods and lack of opportunities to be physically active in First Nations communities," said National Chief Fontaine. "Poverty among 1 in 4 First Nations children compared to 1 in 6 Canadian children is the greatest social justice issue facing this country, and is at the heart of this health crisis."

"Last week's federal budget did nothing to prevent the further impacts of health and socioeconomic disparities faced by First Nations children," commented National Chief Fontaine. "First Nations governments face the most impoverished health, social and education budgets in years. Their ability to halt escalating crises or innovate the system to create efficiencies will be more than ever stifled by this significant fiscal imbalance."

"Without a comprehensive, sustainable and long-term intervention on the part of all governments, including First Nations governments, this alarming trend will lead our children into a future of adult obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. It should be noted that AFN had recommended childhood obesity as a specific measure for the success of the 2005 Kelowna Accord.

"First Nations require improved access to a safe and inexpensive food supply, including traditional foods," added the National Chief. "They also require more opportunities for access to low cost physical activity, and supportive school environments."

Only half of First Nations schools have gym facilities. First Nations communities were excluded from the pan-Canadian Healthy Living Initiative. There is no program dealing with food security or recreation in First Nations communities.

Expansion of the Aboriginal Head Start program to all First Nations communities and investment in its nutrition and physical activity component would be a starting point proposed in the AFN Submission to the Standing Committee on Health report. To access the submission in its entirety, please visit the Health webpage at www.afn.ca. Data on First Nations childhood obesity and related conditions can be found at www.rhs-ers.ca.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

For further information: Bryan Hendry, A/Director of Communications, (613) 241-6789 ext. 229, Cell: (613) 293-6106, bhendry@afn.ca.

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INAC press release ...

Government is committed to improving Aboriginal housing: Report notes previous Government's inaction

            OTTAWA, March 29 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's New Government thanks the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development for its report on Aboriginal housing.

            The committee's report concludes in part that "the federal government's housing programs to date have failed and are failing to keep pace with the actual needs of Aboriginal Canadians for adequate, suitable, and affordable housing."

            The Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, notes however the Committee's acknowledgement of the positive steps taken in Budget 2006 to address the shortfall in off-reserve and Northern housing.

            "Considerable work remains to be done to fix a system that has been broken for years", said Minister Prentice. "The Committee's conclusion concerning the housing crisis is a sad testament to the systemic inaction and gross neglect of the previous Liberal government."

            In Budget 2007, Canada's New Government acted to begin addressing the need to remedy the significant disparities in the quantity and quality of housing available to Aboriginal people.

            "In addition, Canada's New Government has earmarked $300 million to be dedicated to the development of a housing market in First Nations communities", said the Minister.

            Unlike previous governments, this government is setting realistic, measurable targets and getting things done for First Nation Canadians on- and off-reserve and Inuit.

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/For further information: please contact: Deirdra McCracken, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice, (819) 997-0002/