A new Aboriginal Indicators Study, released today during the official launch of the Centre for Native Policy and Research, provides some unique findings about the social, economic and environmental conditions of Vancouver's urban Aboriginal people.

The report, published by the Centre for Native Policy and Research, with funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada through the Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS). The Urban Aboriginal Strategy is an approach that recognizes that all levels of government, and the communities they serve need to work together to address urban Aboriginal issues. Support through the Urban Aboriginal Strategy will also enable the centre to continue its work in other areas including a youth suicide prevention research project, setting Aboriginal research standards and methodologies, publishing a quarterly journal on Aboriginal policy and research issues, and launching an on-line information network.

"Governments must work together in partnership with the community to solve critical issues facing Aboriginal Canadians. Their future must be part of our future," said the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "Only by taking action now can we ensure that Aboriginal youth in our urban centres have the opportunity to contribute fully to the economic, social and cultural life of our society."

"We are encouraged to see the role that education can play in raising the socio-economic standards of urban Aboriginal people," said Cheryl Matthew the executive director of the Centre for Native Policy and Research. "We also recognize that we have a long way to go in addressing the social and economic disparity between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population in urban centres."

The Centre for Native Policy and Research (CNPR) acts as a catalyst for change by developing and promoting social, economic, and environmental policy and research. The Centre acts as a bridge and provides collaborative solutions between existing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups by bringing people together to promote progressive research and policy alternatives.

"Through the release of this first report by the Centre for Native Policy and Research it is evident the organization is filling an essential gap in policy and research for the Aboriginal community," said Lou Demerais of Vancouver Native Health Society and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Centre for Native Policy and Research.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is the lead federal department responsible for the implementation of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) in British Columbia on behalf of the Office of the Federal Interlocutor of Metis and Non-Status Indians. The UAS approach recognizes that governments and the communities they serve need to work together to address urban Aboriginal issues.

In Greater Vancouver, the UAS initiative is overseen by the Greater Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Strategy Steering Committee. The committee is made up of federal, provincial and municipal representatives and members from the urban Aboriginal community.

For additional information, contact:

Susan Schooley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 666-1318

Cheryl Matthew
Director
Centre for Native Policy and Research
(604) 488-1029
http://www.cnpr.ca/Home.aspx