YWCA Muskoka
March 6, 2008

 EDitorial from Carolyn Bray, Executive Director

 Aboriginal Canadians:

A Dozen Statistics that Tell a Story

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 Canada’s Aboriginal population has surpassed the 1,000,000 mark, representing our youngest and fastest growing segment.  Without a doubt, however, they are also Canada’s population demographic at greatest risk for personal, social and economic instability.  Consider these facts: 

• The average yearly income of Aboriginal people in Canada is $15,700 as compared to $25,400 for non-Aboriginal people

• 70% of Aboriginal youth drop out of school nationwide. This rate drops to 15% among the entire Canadian population.

• 60% of Aboriginal children under the age of 6 live in poverty. Compare that to the entire Canadian population where only 11.7% of children under the age of 18 live in low income families.

• 3% of First Nation people have obtained a university degree. Among all Canadians age 25 and 65, 23% have obtained a university degree.

• 72% of Aboriginal single mothers identified government transfer payments as their major source of income (Northern Development Commissioned Study of Aboriginal Mothers 1996)

• The main reason for Aboriginal children being placed into care is poverty. Only 2.5% of Aboriginal children were placed in Aboriginal foster homes

• In Canada, 75% of Aboriginal girls under the age of 18 have been sexually abused.  Among the entire Canadian population, this compares to 24% of girls under the age of 16 experiencing rape or coercive sex, and a further 17% being victims of incest.

• Aboriginal women were three times more likely to be victims of spousal violence than those who are non-Aboriginal. (Stats Canada - 2005)

• Over the last two decades, some 500 indigenous women in Canada have been murdered or are missing and rendered dead (NWAC, 2004).

• Aboriginal children in Canada are twice as likely to be born prematurely, underweight, or die within the first year of life, and three to four times more likely to suffer sudden infant death syndrome

• Aboriginal youth are 11 times more likely than non Aboriginal youth to have abused solvents or sniffed aerosols. The average age for Aboriginal youth to begin abusing solvents is 9.72 yrs.

• First Nations female youth are eight times more likely to commit suicide than non First Nations female youth

Poor health, limited education, and poverty have become the casualties of generational ignorance and racism experienced by Aboriginals including government legislated atrocities that lead First Nation, Inuit and Métis children away from their homes, parents, cultures and languages and into inexcusable injustices, including abuse in residential schools. YWCA Muskoka and all YWCA’s in Canada are committed to greater equity and justice for our Aboriginal community. Meaningful dialogue always begins with awareness and empathy. This month we encourage you to share these statistics that inform our work with your family, friends, and neighbours.  Together, we can make a difference.

Carolyn Bray

References above from:  Blackstock, C. Clarke, S., Cullen, J., D’Hondt,J. & Formsma, J. (2004) Keeping the Promise: Convention on the Rights of the Child; Census 2006; FREDA Study (2002) Stats Can 2005; Northern Development Commissioned Study of Aboriginal Mothers 1996; NWAC, 2004

Women in Business Luncheons  -  MArch 2008

Friday, March  7^th

      Learning Solutions of Muskoka

      Speaker – Loraine Pare

       Gravenhurst – Gravenhurst, Trillium Court, Opera House

Friday, March 14^th

      Running a Business...Sleeping at Night!

      Speaker – Susan Friedman, Smartax Business Services

       Huntsville – Partner’s Hall, Algonquin Theatre

Friday, March 28^th

      RBC Dominion Securities

      Speaker – Catherine Duso

       Bracebridge – Nipissing University, Room 3

RSVP Required - 645-9827 or wib@ywcamuskoka.com

YOUTH Programs

2008 SUMMER PROGRAMS

Girlz Unplugged (ages 9 – 14)

     Bracebridge, July 7-11

                Huntsville, July 14 – 18

                Gravenhurst, July 21 – 25

                Bracebridge, August 25 – 29

Registration forms will be available on our website soon!

Girlz Unplugged Saturday Conference!

Gravenhurst – April 5^th, Trinity United Church, 9am – 4pm

    It’s a great day for girls ages 9 to 14 – includes healthy snacks and a pizza lunch!

     Call the YWCA to register. Don’t be disappointed – register early!

YWCA Participants SPEAK!

This is what some Women In Business participants said about the program during this year’s mid-term evaluations.

"The course has been an added bonus, being able to get out and get back to focusing on myself and future as I have not been doing that."

"Thank you Kim for non-judgemental attitude toward all of us, freedom in class, light-hearted, playful atmosphere, acceptance. I already feel that I am not as badly off as I thought I was. I feel more hopeful & empowered."

"Thank you so much for this course. I think it is a wonderful, fun and a great way to learn the boring parts of business."

YWCA Muskoka – Our Mission

YWCA Muskoka champions equality for women and girls, and supports individuals, particularly at turning points in their lives.

IT IS MEMBERSHIP

RENEWAL TIME!

This is a reminder to all members that 2008 YWCA Muskoka membership renewals are still available at the YWCA office.

Please contact us to renew your membership today!

Not a Member?

A yearly membership to YWCA Muskoka entitles you to reduced rates on Women in Business Luncheons and other selected YWCA programs.

Members also receive advanced notice for special events, like the Women of Distinction Awards Gala.

Contact YWCA Muskoka

3-C3 440 Ecclestone Drive

Bracebridge, ON P1L 1Z6

Phone      705-645-9827

Fax          705-645-4804

www.ywcamuskoka.com

Business of the Month!

Donna Gowland, B. Sc. N.

Holistic Nursing

Therapeutic Practitioner ~ Energy Healing, The Radiance Technique® , Edu K , Herbal Medicine, Iridology, Ear Candling

 

705-329-0884

www.holisticmedicineorillia.com

Call for Volunteers!

Huntsville and Bracebridge

Thank you for your terrific response to our E-News call for volunteers for our secondary school speakers program:  Careers On and Off the Beaten Path.  Recruitment is ongoing, and we are especially looking for people who work in the following areas:

·         Fashion

·         Medicine

·         Hospitality Industry

·         Acting and Television

·         Archaeology

·         Trades

Champions of the YWCA!

·        Rob McPhee, Muskoka Community Network

·        Nancy Beal, Muskoka Creative Communications

·        Nicole Binsted, Firstbrook, Cassie and Anderson

·        Maria Duncalf-Barber

·        Karen Gillett

·        Catharine Cabrol-Schulz

·        Lorraine Van Luit, Motivations Fitness

·        Julie Kirstein, Bon Appetit Catering

·        Jennifer Stolpmann, Yoga Instructor

Do You Know Someone that Would Like to Hear From the YWCA Muskoka?

If you know someone who would like to receive this notice, please forward.  If they wish to be added to our distribution list, they simply have to send us an e-mail.