Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

Community members stressed the importance of listening to the voices of urban
Indigenous peoples around their specific needs and challenges, as well as gaps
in services, and moving forward in acting on the advice that was shared Among
other concerns, we heard that communities found benefit levels to be inadequate
and that program administration is particularly challenging to navigate We also
heard that the ongoing impact of colonialism, including systemic discrimination
and racism, have contributed to an unsuitable environment in which to access
social assistance services
Colonialism, including the impact of residential schools, systematic racism, and
intergenerational trauma, has had many significant and destructive impacts
on urban Indigenous communities In addition, barriers exist to accessing
services that are unique to individual lived experience, as the current income
security system overlooks the importance of mental health and culture and
well-being, and often overlooks the unique needs of Indigenous women, youth,
Elders and LGBTQ2S individuals These factors have shaped an environment in
which Indigenous communities continue to experience significant disparities in
education, income and health Urban Indigenous peoples are therefore in need
of income security supports that are not based on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Diverse Indigenous cultures shape the needs, priorities and conceptions of wellbeing
of urban Indigenous communities across the province
Culture is a crucial element of Indigenous ways of being, and it is key that
this is understood by Ontario’s public service and anyone serving Indigenous
communities It is important that this Roadmap respond to the unique history,
diversity and cultures of urban Indigenous communities across the province, and
continue to build upon principles identified in the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and the Report and Calls to Action of
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Building on the government’s
commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in The Journey Together, the
Roadmap seeks to close the gap in outcomes for urban Indigenous communities
and create transformational change both inside and outside social assistance
32 Income Security: A Roadmap for Change