Navigating Government Services: The “lived experience” of young urban Aboriginal families residing in Fredericton, NB

Research Start-up Summary and Abstract:
Urban Aboriginal families often have complex dealings with social services. Some family members may live on reserve while others may live off reserve and, as a result, family members may be receiving benefits and services from separate agencies with different rules, regulations and jurisdictions. This research will establish what the experience of young urban Aboriginal families is in terms of the working relationship between these organizations, how jurisdiction affects access to services, and whether or not the difference in rules, eligibility, and services are easily distinguished and understood. Understanding this population’s “lived experience” will enable us to better inform social services, as well as health, education, and justice policies, programs, and practices.

• Fredericton’s Urban Aboriginal Identity Population (2011, NHS)

  3.7% (3,455) of Fredericton’s population identifies as Aboriginal, 5.5% (5,115) report having Aboriginal ancestry.
• 83.4% are First Nation, 11.4% are Metis, 1.6% are Inuit and 3% report having multiple or other Aboriginal identities.