Governments must address poverty rates of First Nations children in BC

Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC) – First Nations Summit leaders are once again calling on governments to address the disproportionate child poverty rates suffered by on and off-reserve First Nations children in BC following this week’s release of the 2013 Child Poverty Report Card by First Call; the BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition.

“Several independent organizations including, First Call; the BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, the BC Representative for Children and Youth and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, have released reports over the past year which conclude that First Nations children, both on and off-reserve suffer from a disproportionately high rate of poverty in comparison to the non-aboriginal public. It is time for governments to step up to the plate and work cooperatively with First Nations to address this issue”, said Cheryl Casimer of the First Nations Summit political executive.