"...we have a desire to be seen and loved as we are - not as the image we have to project to be safe..."

The National Anti-Poverty Organization, 1994: p. 20-31 states:

"Residential schools are gone now, but the legacy lives on among many Native people in the form of self-hated, substance abuse and child abuse. The damage cannot be overstated. People lost their pride, their hope, the chance to learn from Elders... Those who grew up in the schools often have frightful memories which may prevent them from getting involved today..."

EMPLOYMENT

Identify with an Aboriginal Group

Aged 15 and older

• 43% (52%) reported that they were employed in the week previous to the census/ 61% for the total Canadian population;
• 14% (10.6%) were unemployed/6% for the total Canadian population;
• Just over 59% (61.5%) worked for income during 1990 and/or 1991;
• 21.5% (19.2%) of the total Aboriginal group reported that they had difficulty finding employment because there were few or no jobs available - almost 2/3 (64%) of those who looked for work;
• 13.5% (11.1%) of the total Aboriginal group stated that their education or work experience did not match the available jobs - 41% (36.8%) of those who looked for work;
• Just over 5.3% (3%) of the total Aboriginal group reported that they had trouble finding a job because they were an Aboriginal person - 16% (10.6%) of those who looked for jobs;