Aboriginal Community of Toronto
Wigwam Housing Inc.
As many people know, Toronto is an
expensive city to live in. All living necessities like food are
greatly expensive, rent is another expensive matter. To help people
adjust to the city there are places that give people shelter and
resources to attaining a job and housing. For many Aboriginal people
who come to the city from a reservation, it is very difficult
adjusting. These people face many challenges such as jobs and
housing.
"In 2006, the unemployment rate for the Aboriginal core working age population (aged 25 to 54) in Toronto was higher than that of the non-Aboriginal population (8.0% compared to 5.4%).") Aboriginal people have a more difficult time getting a job than
non-Aboriginal people. Without a job it is difficult to then attain
housing and other necessities. One of the housing programs is Wigwam
Incorporated.
Wigwam is a non-profit residential
corporation that helps Aboriginal people attain housing. Wigwam first
started in 1970 as members of the Toronto Aboriginal community coming
together to express their frustrations of expenses and support one
another to become familiar with the different culture. Wigwam works
with its' clients for affording the housing and the accommodations
necessary. Some of those accommodations include the client having a
family or other dependents Wigwam adjusts their rent cost to meet
what the client can afford to pay, taking other living costs into
consideration. Wigwam works with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
people to attain a sustainable living environment.
Tea-n-Bannock
Owner: Enos Miller
Enos Miller is from
the state of Ohio, and came to Canada in 1985. Having been interested
in Aboriginal culture and been invited to a reserve north of Sioux
Lookout he came to Canada to indulge in the culture first hand. He
has been here ever since. Enos wanted to do something that the
Aboriginal community would appreciate and needed in the city life.
Both Enos and his wife had the same thought on the same day about
opening Tea-n-Bannock, Enos described it as “a spiritual pull.”
Tea-n-Bannock has been open since April 17, 2012. They found the
space in June but didn’t do any work on it later. Tea-n-Bannock is
both an establishment and place for a christian group that Enos and
his wife are apart of. About 60% of the customers are Aboriginal.
There are repeat customers that come in every few weeks that are
non-Aboriginal, most come in for a taste and curious. Most really
enjoy so they come back and bring their friends along. Enos hopes for
Tea-n-Bannock to become more known by the community members. Without
sponsorship and credit, Tea-n-Bannock can't grow. Enos and his staff
are still very happy with Tea-n-Bannock's progress.
First Nations School
Last, but not least, another important part of the
Aboriginal community in Toronto is the First Nations School. In 1977
First Nations School was called Spirit Survival School. It was later
renamed First Nations School several years after the Toronto District
School Board recognized it was not an alternative school. The First
Nations School gives urban Aboriginal children a chance to learn
about their culture, heritage and language as a first. In a normal
public school, the children would learn about their heritage as a
chapter in their studies. With First Nations, they have the
opportunity to learn the history as the main focus.
In every culture, it is important that
the coming generations are educated on both their heritage and
outside their heritage. First Nations is not only feathered toward
Aboriginal students, it is open to non-Aboriginal children as well.
The school is geared toward making education possible in any way for
any student. First Nations have many creative learning programs which
include arts and teachings adhered to Aboriginal culture. Instead of
french, the children have to opportunity to learn Ojibway.
The school still follows all the
necessary academics that other schools follow but is focused on
Aboriginals. The school is a full elementary system, offering Junior
Kindergarten to grade eight. First Nations also offers a daycare
program that is called Aboriginal Head Start Program. It too helps
young children begin the process of learning both in and outside
Aboriginal culture.
In a society that is trying to forget
the Aboriginal culture, it is key to have resources available to help
our youth fight being forgotten. First Nations School give Aboriginal
children the knowledge and resources to keep the culture alive so
that they can pass it on to the coming generations.
Tea-n-Bannock is located where the black dot is on the map.
First Nations School is located where the orange dot is on the map.
Wigwam housing is spread out over the entire area.
