Utoo Radio - August 15 2024 - A new report from Statistics Canada has provided new insights into the well-being of Indigenous children.
The 2022 Indigenous Peoples Survey (IPS) highlights a significant data gap in the field. The survey focuses on children and families, revealing that parents and grandparents are the most common sources of support for understanding their culture and history.
Schools play a crucial role in exposing children to Indigenous cultures, with 29% of First Nations children living off reserve and 14% of Métis children aged 6 to 14 years being taught an Indigenous language. Parents of First Nations children living off reserve and Métis children strongly agree that their child's school supports Indigenous culture.
In 2022, 51% of Indigenous children aged 1 to 5 years received regular child care, with 49% of First Nations children living off reserve, 30% of Métis children, and 64% of Inuit children participating in such arrangements. Research shows that language is connected to cultural identity, sense of belonging, health, and well-being. However, gaps between parental aspirations and predictions of their children's future fluency in an Indigenous language may suggest that parents face obstacles in passing down these languages to future generations.
In 2022, 45% of parents of Indigenous children aged 1 to 14 years reported their household income as insufficient to cover an unexpected $500 expense. This was higher among First Nations children living off reserve, Métis children, and Inuit children. Food insecurity was a significant issue among Inuit, with 77% of Inuit children in Inuit Nunangat experiencing food insecurity.
In 2022, 87% of Indigenous children aged 1 to 14 years had seen a dental professional, with older children being more likely to have seen one. Nearly all Indigenous children aged 1 to 14 years received routine vaccinations, but 11% experienced unmet health care needs. The most common reasons for not receiving care were long wait times and lack of availability at the time required.
Mental health status was also a concern for Indigenous children, with 68% of First Nations children living off reserve, 70% for Métis children, and 72% for Inuit children. The corresponding proportion for non-Indigenous children was 85%. Overall, the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth highlights the need for improved mental health and support for Indigenous children.
