Asset Mapping of Indigenous Community Resources
Durham Region was originally the home of several First Nations including, but not limited to, Iroquois and Ojibway. Today Durham is home to The Mississauga Nation and a large Métis community. In the 2016 census, it was identified that in Durham region, just over 20,000 people identified themselves as having North American Indigenous origins. Due to the colonization and assimilation of Indigenous groups through Canadian policies and programs (e.g. Residential Schools), the Aboriginal people were displaced, and their land was stolen. Since the late 1960’s, government policy has shifted slowly to a goal of self-determination and self-governance for Aboriginal peoples. However, the Federal government continues to hold responsibility to meet the needs of Indigenous people in Canada. Indigenous protests such as “Idle No More” have identified the numerous challenges that Indigenous peoples still face especially in areas of safe housing, good education and culturally appropriate medical and mental health services. Many Indigenous bands have created opportunities to generate their own sources of revenue and to use this money to support their community. For example, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island opened their community economic development project in 1997, the Great Blue Heron Casino. With the casino came the Baagwating Community Association, which is run by members of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and is the charitable-arm of the Great Blue Heron. Medical care, housing and family support are some of the services offered through the Health & Resource Centre. This report was created to identify programs in Durham region that serve the Indigenous community. Due to the small number of programs available and the proximity of parts of Durham Region to Toronto and Peterborough, these areas are also included.
References:
- History of Durham Region, (retrieved on Feb. 28, 2019) Durham Immigration Portal. Retrieved from https://www.durhamimmigration.ca/en/moving-to-durham-region/history-of-durham-region.aspx
- The Canadian Encyclopeida. Indigenous Peoples and Government Policy in Canada (retrieved on March 5, 2019) https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-people-government-policy
Community Resources
We have complied a list of community resources located in the Greater Toronto Region and Durham Region. For any edits, please email us at: info@asetgroup.ca.