Rooted and in movement
In cities, the Indigenous presence is undergoing a major shift. More First Nations members and Inuit, with a variety of life trajectories, are moving to, born in or passing through cities.
This growing mobility reflects deep-seated social, cultural and identity-based dynamics. And it gives rise to significant challenges for people’s access to services, recognition and social inclusion. To understand these realities is to recognize the richness and complexity of contemporary urban Indigeneity.
Realities and trajectories
The phenomenon of Indigenous mobility toward urban areas is constantly growing and is a reflection of:
- contemporary Indigenous lifestyles,
- individual life trajectories, and
- family backgrounds.
It bears witness to a profound social, cultural and identity-related shift that is redefining the links between Indigenous communities and urban environments.
Frequent movement for better living conditions
First Nations and Inuit are often on the move:
- Between their community and the city
- From one city to another
- Within the same city
The main reason for such movement is that people are searching for a better quality of life, including better access to education, employment, housing and public services.
A growing Indigenous presence
For many years, the number of Indigenous people living in Quebec’s urban areas has been steadily increasing. This growing presence reflects an evolving reality, with increasingly diverse motivations and life paths leading people to live in urban areas.
A new generation born in the city
The urban Indigenous population is not only growing because people are leaving their communities. More and more, Indigenous people are born and grow up in the city, a sign that they are putting down lasting roots and building a strong identity in urban areas.
Omnipresent challenges
Despite their significant presence in urban areas, Indigenous people still face many obstacles. They face racism and discrimination, they encounter cultural or language barriers in accessing services, and they may experience social isolation or estrangement from their culture.
The movement of First Nations members and Inuit greatly impacts the need for services in cities. Native Friendship Centres transform the dynamics and thinking around mobility for Indigenous individuals and families. These Centres serve as points of convergence for them.