Improving the living conditions of First Nations and Inuit children: It's time for collective action

WENDAKE, QC, Nov. 21, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of Early Childhood Week, which is taking place from November 18 to the 24, the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) wishes to draw public attention to the results of a recent survey that was conducted among the population of Quebec about First Nations and Inuit children.

A few highlights:

• Nearly two out of three Quebecers (64%) believe that First Nations and Inuit children are discriminated against in Quebec.
• According to the majority of the respondents, young First Nations and Inuit children:
• Have a lower health status compared to other children in Quebec (65%);
• Are born with a lower likelihood than other children in the province to develop to their full potential (70%);
• Have access to fewer services than other children in Quebec (64%).
• Three-quarters of respondents (75%) agree that Quebec society should do more to support First Nations and Inuit families.

"While Early Childhood Week is in full swing this week, these results highlight critical issues and demonstrate the urgent need to take action. These results show that the population is aware of the unequal treatment and difficult conditions with which many of our children are faced as they grow up. At this point, awareness is no longer enough. We must all join forces to ensure that First Nations and Inuit children can benefit from the same treatment and the same chances for success as all the other children in Quebec," said the Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard, who also acts as an Early Childhood Week ambassador.

Conducted last October by the Leger firm and commissioned by the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) in collaboration with the Observatoire des tout-petits, the survey made it possible to measure the perceptions of Quebecers on many topics related to young First Nations and Inuit children in Quebec. The complete survey report is available on the FNQLHSSC website at www.cssspnql.com.

About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the political organization that brings together 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador.

About the FNQLHSSC
The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission is a non-profit organization that supports the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador in achieving their goals in terms of health, wellness, culture and self-determination.

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador

Alain Garon, AFNQL, Communication Advisor, [email protected] , 418-254-4620; Chantal Cleary, FNQLHSSC, Communications Officer, [email protected] , 418-842-1540, extension 2304