Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

As partners, the MNO, the OFIFC and ONWA co-ordinated urban Indigenous
discussion sessions in 2014 to identify the gaps and challenges urban Indigenous
communities have experienced in the current social assistance system, and
propose ways in which the system could be transformed to enhance outcomes,
including recommendations beyond social assistance
Throughout the Roadmap, there are references to “urban Indigenous
people and communities”. This is a term inclusive of the diversity of
First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit people who live
in urban and rural communities across Ontario and not on-reserve.
Geographically, “urban Indigenous” is not exclusive to Indigenous
people living in large urban population centres; it also describes
Indigenous people and communities comprised of or within smaller
urban and rural population centres. Indigenous people historically
and to this day continue to migrate within the province, and between
provinces and territories, in pursuit of culture, opportunity and
improved well-being. Across Ontario there are diverse organizations
that support urban Indigenous people who live in towns and cities
through the delivery of culture-based programs and services. It
is important to note that while the recommendations in the First
Nations section of the Roadmap stem from specific discussions and
deliberations at the First Nations Income Security Reform Working
Group, many of the issues identified and the historic context are
shared by Indigenous communities in urban settings, and many
of the recommendations would have a positive impact for all
Indigenous people regardless of location.
Income Security: A Roadmap for Change 31