The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The face of our communities is changing. According to Statistics Canada, while the Flin Flon area lost 484 people between 2001 and 2006, our aboriginal demographic bucked the trend, rising 20 per cent. Nearly one in five residents of Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach now falls into the aboriginal/Mtis category. Two factors contributed to this development. First, the aboriginal birth rate is notably higher than the national average. Second, and perhaps more relevantly, the reserves that surround Flin Flon are overcrowded and in such a state that many occupants canÕt wait to leave for a new opportunity. Neither of these dynamics is likely to change any time soon, so we can assume the First Nations element of our population will ascend in the coming years. This represents an opportunity for Flin Flon to grow at a time when it may not otherwise given the aging population, the steady flow of residents to cottage country and potential layoffs related to a copper smelter closure. But this demographic trend also brings into focus a major challenge: our culture gap. This gap was illustrated most recently at a town hall meeting for the Neighbourhoods Alive! program, held last week. As one of the 26 attendees noted, the meeting, although designed to bring together a cross-section of the populace, included no aboriginal representation. Why? Do our aboriginal neighbours not feel part of the community? Do they not think their opinions are important? Or are there other issues entirely? Unfortunately, the town hall meeting was not unique. Over the years all manner of public forums have seen drastically low aboriginal representation. Until we as a community find a way to bring all cultures to the table, we will never know where our true priorities lie. The culture gap is abetted by the racism that in 2008 still casts its hideous shadow. We often think of racism as something afflicted on the minority by the majority, but the truth is it cuts both ways Ð and hurts just as bad no matter which side youÕre on. Some of the racism stems from stereotypes, but IÕd venture to say a lot of it comes from a simple lack of understanding and communication. Forget our battered roads and aging infrastructure for a moment; this is an area in dire need of attention. But make no mistake, we have already come a long way in bridging the culture gap. Children from reserves are joining our kids in recreational programs. First Nations culture is celebrated in our schools and in our communities at large. Close-minded attitudes of the past are fading into the background. Still, the culture gap persists. ItÕs something we must overcome as our racial makeup continues to change. Otherwise, the gap will only get wider. Local Angle runs Fridays.
