Researcher Studying City Services For Native Women

Researcher Studying City Services For Native Women

Thursday, February 05, 2009 at 13:05

 

 

A University of Saskatchewan professor says Aboriginal women moving to Saskatoon face difficulties with transportation, housing, safety, and racism.

 

Caroline Tait is a Native Studies professor who is studying services available to Aboriginal women who are new to Saskatoon or have moved there in the past 10 years.

 

Tait says women have talked about how difficult it is to get around when raising young children.

 

She adds many worry about safety, because some of the more affordable neighbourhoods seem riskier to them due to problems like gangs.

 

Tait also says several Aboriginal women feel racism still plays a part in the problems they face when they come to the city — as many believe they are unable to get housing because they are Aboriginal.

 

Tait hopes the study will help agencies make better arguments for funding, because she says many are underfunded and filled to capacity due to rising demand.

 

She says society should place a priority on investing in these women, because they are raising children who could be part of the future workforce.

 

Tait says something as simple as supplying a mother with a bus pass would make a big difference.