Does homelessness affect indigenous people disproportionately?

Homelessness in Indigenous people can be traced back to "historical trauma, oppression, racism, and discrimination." 33% of people experiencing homelessness in Greater Victoria reported being Indigenous, which is much higher than the percentage of Indigenous people among the broader population (4.7%).

Residential schools across the country, Aboriginal wardship in the child welfare system, and displacement from traditional lands are some of the reasons Native homelessness corresponds with the history of colonization in Canada.

Residential schools were one of the worst actions made due to colonialism. More than one million children attended residential schools, causing psychological abuse, inadequate sanitation, the spread of diseases, and distance from their culture. This leads to drug addiction and fewer employment opportunities, leading to homelessness.

The Indian Act of 1876 allowed the government to control resources to reserve land. Resource extraction deprived natives of traditional economic activities, like hunting, which led to natives being "deprived of traditional ways to earn a living and denied opportunities to develop new resource enterprises." Land disposition allowed for discrimination when trying to find accommodation, substance use, and systemic barriers, like poverty and lower education levels. Starting in the late 1990s, the government has tried addressing homelessness using the National Homelessness Initiative, Homelessness Partnering Strategy, and the Affordable Housing Initiative, although all have been criticized for " lack of a coherent goal" and supporting underserved populations.

Works Cited

1. Gvech Staff. “Spotlight Saturday: Indigenous Homelessness in Canada.” Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, 6 June 2020, victoriahomelessness.ca/spotlight-saturday-indigenous-homelessness-in-canada/.

Researcher: Angelina Manoj (Researcher from Power to the Youth Toronto)

Editor: Cecilia Vong (Editor from Power to the Youth Toronto)

Date published: April 8th 2022