"Aboriginal Population
The City of Ottawa is home to a richly diverse group of Aboriginal peoples including Inuit, Métis and many more First Nations such as Algonquin, Mohawk, Ojibway, and Mi'kmaq. Currently, the Aboriginal population residing in the City of Ottawa is estimated at 35,000 and is the fastest growing and diverse urban Aboriginal population in Canada.
To some degree, the Aboriginal community is not unlike the non-Aboriginal population in that it is neither wholly marginalized nor uniformly disadvantaged. Nevertheless, there is a tendency for Aboriginal persons who live in urban centres to be statistically more disadvantaged than even newly arrived immigrants. Data indicates that, in Ottawa, 27% of the homeless population is Aboriginal, and 48% of the urban Aboriginal population in Ottawa is under the age of 25 (in direct contrast to the general trend of an aging population). These statistics signal increased urgency to the current situation of Aboriginal people living in Ottawa.
Although issues of poverty and social dislocation are extremely important, the agenda of Aboriginal people living in urban centres must focus on more than these disadvantages. Issue of culture, recognition and identity, practices and institutions, having a voice that is heard and an opportunity to help shape the future city of Ottawa, are all significant for the Aboriginal population in Ottawa.
Aboriginal people are essential to the development of our municipal culture. Existing Aboriginal organizations, community leaders, and elders have the experience and knowledge to build successful programs, develop effective strategies, and provide valuable insights into the improvement of socio-economic conditions and issues of governance."
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Could you even tell?! I certainly couldn't when I first moved here from Edmonton, AB. There was an obvious homeless problem that I could see Aboriginal people fell in to here and through the events I attended at community gatherings in specific locations like the Friendship Centre, Wabano, Minwaashin Lodge or Victoria Island...but, where else could I see Aboriginal Arts, Heritage and Culture in the city? Turns out that, at the time, there were not many places at all.
Patiently, I would wait until the next rare Aboriginal exhibit at the National Art Gallery or Museum of Civilization or performance at the National Arts Centre and when they came around - it was a big special event for me...a stimulating night out. What I've seen in the past few years, especially the past two years, is that there has been more opportunity to see Aboriginal art outside of the National, quota filling institutions. I've heard local Aboriginal radio stations, artist's talks, art showings at local galleries including the Bytown museum which doesn't have a history of showing contemporary art however the past few months they've been showing some of Rosalie Favel and Jeff Thomas's works.
I've watched the Odawa Native Friendship Centre's Art Auction and Annual pow wow/festival grow & become city wide recognized event. National Aboriginal Day in June and Aboriginal Awareness Week in May are two more opportunities to fill your appetite for Aboriginal anything. Over the past few years, I've visited more quality Aboriginal plays, films, art exhibits, musical pieces, speaking events, academic conference, fashion shows, DJ spun events, symposiums and cultural gatherings than ever before.
Recently, I joined the City of Ottawa's Arts, Heritage & Culture Advisory Committee (AHCAC) as a member. Then, I began to hear about the City's 20/20 Arts and Heritage Plan Renewal Strategy...sooo, I joined that too. Then I decided that more Aboriginal people needed to know about what was happening in our city and how it happened so I brought a motion to the City's AHCAC for a specific AHC Aboriginal sub-Committee. I wanted this committee to have some structure within the City of Ottawa and I wanted other Aboriginal people and other citizen's to be engaged in the possibilities of Aboriginal AHC right here in Ottawa. The motion was unanimously passed in September 2010 and we had our first meeting in October. Our next meeting is November 24, 2010 from 4-6pm at the Colonel By Room at City Hall. Stop in for some of your own Ab-Obs...or, just your Obs. But, if you can't make it - watch for updates here on my blog.
Recently, I joined the City of Ottawa's Arts, Heritage & Culture Advisory Committee (AHCAC) as a member. Then, I began to hear about the City's 20/20 Arts and Heritage Plan Renewal Strategy...sooo, I joined that too. Then I decided that more Aboriginal people needed to know about what was happening in our city and how it happened so I brought a motion to the City's AHCAC for a specific AHC Aboriginal sub-Committee. I wanted this committee to have some structure within the City of Ottawa and I wanted other Aboriginal people and other citizen's to be engaged in the possibilities of Aboriginal AHC right here in Ottawa. The motion was unanimously passed in September 2010 and we had our first meeting in October. Our next meeting is November 24, 2010 from 4-6pm at the Colonel By Room at City Hall. Stop in for some of your own Ab-Obs...or, just your Obs. But, if you can't make it - watch for updates here on my blog.
I hope that this place will give you some insight in to what's happening around the city and what has happened around the city with regard to AHC. My goal is to highlight the individuals involved to make individuals like you, interested in participating in the Aboriginal art scene. We're so much more than those outdated statues that we see on Metcalf and Elgin street near the Chateau Laurier. :o)
Stay tuned for the next Ab-Obs!
JaimeK
