Release of the Vancouver report for the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study

Monday, June 20, 2011

5:00 – 9:00pm*

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre

1607 East Hastings Street

Everyone welcome to attend.

There is no cost for admission.

*Food and Refreshments will be served from 4:30 – 5:00pm.

*Parking is limited so please arrive early to secure parking in the neighbourhood.


You are cordially invited to attend the presentation on the Metro Vancouver results of the Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Study by Ginger Gosnell-Myers of the Environics Institute, featuring an expert panel from Vancouver’s Aboriginal Community – the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council, with Emcee –  MVAEC Co-Chair Christine Smith.

In 2009, members of Vancouver’s Aboriginal community took part in a national survey of urban Aboriginal Peoples where hundreds of people were interviewed about life in the city, their values, community relations, aspirations, and identity.

Ginger will be highlighting the findings of the study which will include the methodology of the project and findings from both the national, and local Vancouver perspective.

What does it mean to be First Nations or Métis and living in Vancouver? What are the connections people have to their communities? How does Vancouver rank for opportunities, happiness, culture, politics, and identity in comparison to other major Canadian cities urban Aboriginal communities? These results will be looked at, and much more.

Agenda:

4:30 – 5:00pm: Food and refreshments served

5:00pm – 6:00pm: Opening prayer; Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council Co-Chair, Christine Smith;  Mayor Gregor Robertson proclamation on National Aboriginal Day in Vancouver; Funders remarks – Vancouver Foundation; Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Strategy; more TBD

6:00pm – 7:15pm: Results presentation, Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Environics Institute

7:15pm – 7:45pm: Q&A

7:45pm – 8:30pm: Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council Panel discussion (MVAEC)

8:30pm – 9:00pm: MVAEC Q&A

9:00pm: Closing

For more information, please visit www.uaps.ca, or contact Ginger at Ginger.Gosnell-Myers@environics.ca.

Sponsored by: The Environics Institute, The City of Vancouver, The Vancouver Foundation, Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Strategy, Royal Bank of Canada, Tides Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, John Lefebvre


Desire for Education Bringing Aboriginal People to Thunder Bay

Netnewsledger.com, May 26, 2011

A study by Environics Institute on Thunder Bay results of the Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Study (UAPS) states that “Aboriginal peoples move to Thunder Bay primarily for education, family reasons and work opportunities, reasons that are largely shared by Aboriginal peoples in all 11 UAPS cities. However, education emerges as a greater consideration for Aboriginal peoples to set up residence in Thunder Bay”. Read more »

Urban aboriginal population continues to rise, report finds

TB Newswatch, May 25, 2011

Thunder Bay’s Aboriginal population has grown by more than 20 per cent within the past five years and continues to grow, a recent survey of urban Aboriginal peoples concludes.

Environics Institute’s Ginger Gosnell-Myers, who’s spent the last four years on the 10 city 150-question survey, said the growth is happening across the country. Cities need to start looking at that growth to include Aboriginal peoples into the diversity of urban centres. Read more »

Many Regina aboriginals believe alternative justice approaches could curb aboriginal crime rates

Leader Post, March 11, 2011

While there is widespread distrust of the Canadian justice system among Regina’s aboriginal population, faith in the system appears higher in this city than in many others across the country.

According to the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study (UAPS) released by the Environics Institute, 47 per cent of aboriginal people in Regina had little or no confidence in the criminal justice system. Read more »