Aboriginal Jobs – First Nations Jobs

Aboriginal Jobs – First Nations Jobs – Employment Issues in Canadian Aboriginal Communities

The indigenous community in Canada has faced, and continues to deal with, many adversities. Let’s talk about Aboriginal Jobs and a few of the special issues facing Aboriginal Employment and First Nations Jobs. A visible minority within the Canadian population, aboriginal people have been greatly underrepresented. There are many social and economic issues that plague the aboriginal community – much of them being interrelated. When considering these issues, one can easily infer the plethora of reasons for why indigenous members face struggles when finding meaningful employment. Aboriginal Jobs and First Nations Jobs can be the hardest to locate, and even harder to compete for.

Aboriginal people face a great deal of health concerns and are at a higher risk for illness or early death when compared to the non-aboriginal community (The Health of Indigenous People in Canada, University of Ottawa). What is thought to have led to current health detriments within the community includes previous colonization, the effects of residential schooling, and existing stereotypes and prejudice (The Health of Indigenous People in Canada, University of Ottawa). These health concerns get in the way of being employed. The historical significance and the lasting effects of these issues have made a significant impact on the state of the aboriginal community today. Many of the aboriginal’s social and economic issues can be traced back to these causal factors.

Many aboriginal youths do not complete high school and fail to meet certain literary standards that would ensure that they are employable across different industries. This makes it more difficult for them to compete for available Aboriginal Jobs and First Nations Jobs. The chances of being employed drastically reduce for high school dropouts and those who lack basic competency (knowledge and skills) to meet workplace standards. Low levels of education are directly correlated with higher rates of unemployment.

Mental health issues, substance abuse and alcoholism are all significant issues within the aboriginal community. These concerns not only lead to higher unemployment rates but also increased homelessness, incarceration and deaths (e.g., overdoses, suicides etc.). As visible minorities, many aboriginals often face physical, mental and emotional struggles. This can lead to undiagnosed mental health conditions, which could potentially lead to substance abuse and alcoholism in order to self-medicate or cope with the pain. Unfortunately, many indigenous people become victims of their circumstances and do not overcome such adversities in order to get the opportunity to be successfully employed and excel in their roles.

Access to resources is also an issue that many aboriginals face when it comes to the employment market. For the resources that are currently out there, lack of awareness means that they are not being used by those who need it. Although there may be some, there is not nearly enough sufficient resources, such as employment centres, job boards, or job programs (e.g., internships), that specifically cater to the aboriginal community. With more initiatives like Aboriginal Job Board (www.aborignaljobboard.ca), a specialized online employment network that caters to the aboriginal community, we may see a change in the employment trends relating to the aboriginal community.

Finally, the aboriginal community, after facing many years of oppression, continue to deal with issues of discrimination. A negative stigma surrounding the First Nations job and employer community is still prevalent. Misconceptions surrounding the community, such as their capabilities as competent workers, can be questioned and may perhaps lead to indirect or blatant discrimination in the hiring process. It is necessary that society collectively works to diminish and eliminate these stereotypes in order to alleviate this negative effect.

Works Cited

“The Health of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.” University of Ottawa, Society, the Individual, and

Medicine. www.med.uottawa.ca/SIM/data/Vul_indigenous_e.htm.

If you are a first nations job seeker in Canada looking to find work in Canada, head over to www.aboriginaljobboard.ca
If you are an employer looking to hire an Aboriginal Job Seeker, you should look at www.Aboriginaljobboard.ca/post-a-job

Finally, take a look at our other employment resources below.
www.CanadaYouthWorks.ca
www.NewcanadianJobs.ca