News


Urban Natives seek their place at the table

Georgia Straight, September 22, 2011

The recently released Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study, which was coordinated by the Environics Institute, has helped shatter some stereotypes of urban Native people. Project director and Vancouver resident Ginger Gosnell-Myers (niece of Nisga’a leader Joseph Gosnell) told the Straight by phone that much of the non-Native population believes almost all aboriginal people live in poverty and lack education. “In the city, though, it’s a different story,” she stated. Read more »


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 »


Globe Editorial: Natives still suffer shameful stereotypes

The Globe and Mail, February 25, 2011

It is a failure of Canada’s imagination that its original inhabitants continue to suffer the most distorted stereotypes of any non-white group.

Canada’s urban natives, who now comprise half of all Métis, first nations and Inuit, feel they are viewed negatively by the larger society, even as they display a high level of tolerance for other cultures.

What is even more striking is that, according to a study by Environics Institute, many non-aboriginals recognize their comic-book characterization of natives, and acknowledge that real discrimination exists. Read more »