Poverty Action Research Project
In November 2008, the Assembly of First Nations established the Make Poverty History Expert Advisory Committee comprised of First Nation, Metis and non-Aboriginal academics from across Canada. The Committee prepared a report in 2009 titled The State of the First Nation Economy and the Struggle to Make Poverty History. This report documented the extent First Nations families, individuals and communities are experiencing high levels of poverty and inequality in comparison to the rest of Canadian society.
The Make Poverty History Committee secured grant funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research and the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health for the purpose of designing and implementing a strategic plan to create a sustainable economic base, reduce poverty and improve the health and well-being of community members.
Five communities were selected to participate in this research project:
- T’ít’q’et in British Columbia
- Sipekne’katik in Nova Scotia
- Opiticiwan in Quebec
- Eabametoong in Northern Ontario
- Misipawistik Cree Nation in Manitoba
This project produced a research based community assessment and environmental scan in order to identify the salient characteristics, strengths, challenges and opportunities that the community exhibits with reference to achieving reduced levels of poverty and the development of a self-reliant economic base linked to improve community health and well-being. The project began in 2011 and was completed in 2017.
