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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 12, 2007 - 15 Group's aim is to spread awareness of plight of northern Ontario natives By Andrew Fruch SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Lack of basic healthcare services, inadequate housing, poor education, suicide and unimaginable poverty. These are just some of the issues facing remote First Nations communities in Northern Ontario. These conditions spawned the creation of a group known as the First Nations Interest Group (FNIG). The FNIG is a partnership encompassing people and organizations from different public sectors and walks of life. Its goal is to increase awareness of Aboriginal issues and provide actual support for those communities. "It's to bear witness on the circumstances of these children and families," said Judy Finley, Chief Advocate for the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. "We want to make sure all people in southern Ontario have opportunity to see the circumstances and begin to take a special responsibility for our partners in the north." The FNIG hosted an information session on May 7 at the Meeting House in Oakville. A panel of experts was present to discuss the various issues affecting First Nations communities and offer some insight on how to address them. The FNIG was inspired by the work of John and Janet Reynolds, former Oakville residents, who moved to the town of Nakina, just outside the Aroland First Nation. It is a 15 hour drive northwest of Toronto. There, the couple opened up a dropin centre for Aboriginal youth and became foster parents for Tikinagan Child Services. "We do everything we can in Aroland, just to be a neighbour, to be a friend," said John Reynolds. "We built a shed, which is now called the shack. It has become a drop in centre. I've quickly realized these kids had nowhere to go. There is no pizza place, no bowling alley, there are no music lessons, there is nothing for them to do." Reynolds is passionate about the cause. Along with the drop-in centre, he organizes winter and summer wilderness experiences. "My goal is get them out and give them a break, get them away from alcohol and drugs," said Reynolds. "All of it largely because there is no hope." Presentations explained the seriousness of the important issues. One of the biggest concerns for First Nation communities is a lack of proper healthcare. "There is an absolute inaccessibility of medical services," said Dr. Greg De Marchi, Chief Medical Advisor for the Ministry of Community and Social Service. "There are those who go up periodically with a group of specialists, who move around the reserves and try to provide spot care, but basic ordinary medical care does not exist." Another health related concern for these communities is a high level of substance abuse and suicide rates. It has been estimated that the suicide rate for First Nations people is three times higher than for the general Canadian population. "The issue of suicide is an absolutely crucial issue," said De Marchi. "There is a high use of alcohol and gasoline on the reserves. There is such despair that there doesn't seem to be any escape. So alcohol or gasoline provides a momentarily relief, but the underlining fundamental problem is a profound sense of depression." The FNIG believes both short and long-term initiatives are required to rectify as many of the problems as possible. Volunteers are needed to help establish community programs, and donations of items ranging from food to clothes and recreational items such as sports equipment are also needed. Long-term action plans tailored to the need of the Aboriginal community are required to help the First Nations break the cycle of poverty and despair. More information on John and Janet Reynolds and their initiatives can be obtained at www.peopleservingpeople.ca. 905-844-9831