First Nations in Canada
Social capital has been used to identify practices which can develop supports to help groups, individuals and larger communities overcome exclusion.
As Javier Mignone (2009) describes, it is important to understand social capital as a culturally grounded existence. Social Capital, as described in the first section of this webpage, points out that capital emphasizes the quality of interactions among people in specific situations and places. As Mignone points out, research has found that indigenous people invest significant time and energy into building social capital, but that it is manifested in different ways than western traditional ideas of economic development, or do not match mainstream ideas of "good" governance.
While working on health determinants with First Nations Communities in Manitoba, Mignone identified how Social
capital characterizes a First Nation community as the following:
"based on the degree that its resources are socially invested, that it presents a culture of trust, norms of reciprocity, collective action, and participation and that it possesses inclusive flexible and diverse networks. Social capital of a community is assessed through a combination of its bonding (within-community relations), bridging (intercommunity ties), and linkage (relation with formal institutions) dimensions" (Social Capital and Aboriginal Communities, p. 51).
As Javier Mignone (2009) describes, it is important to understand social capital as a culturally grounded existence. Social Capital, as described in the first section of this webpage, points out that capital emphasizes the quality of interactions among people in specific situations and places. As Mignone points out, research has found that indigenous people invest significant time and energy into building social capital, but that it is manifested in different ways than western traditional ideas of economic development, or do not match mainstream ideas of "good" governance.
While working on health determinants with First Nations Communities in Manitoba, Mignone identified how Social
capital characterizes a First Nation community as the following:
"based on the degree that its resources are socially invested, that it presents a culture of trust, norms of reciprocity, collective action, and participation and that it possesses inclusive flexible and diverse networks. Social capital of a community is assessed through a combination of its bonding (within-community relations), bridging (intercommunity ties), and linkage (relation with formal institutions) dimensions" (Social Capital and Aboriginal Communities, p. 51).
*When understanding how exclusion may affect a particular group and when formulating ideas on ways to address exclusion, it is important to identify how building social capital in these areas is a vital part of ensuring sustainable ways to create more equal opportunities and address exclusionary forms.*
Exclusion and First Nations
There is a vast amount of writing on the exclusion of First Nations Community. Frideres (2008) describes that the forces of assimilation and the demise of First Nations families and community associations has eroded First Nations identity. Communal bonds have been broken among individuals and communities. First Nations leadership has been destroyed. This exclusionary process has created the ability for First Nations to be exploited and controlled. However, it is important to realize that dominant society has not completely destroyed First Nations identity and it is necessary to recognize the social capital that exists as a potential for addressing social concerns. Social capital needs to be put within the context of civil society in order for interests to be pursued and to have people come together. Social capital is the glue that holds societies together.
We must continue to build bridges together
We must continue to build bridges together
Social Capital and Cultural Understandings
It is important for social capital to be discussed specifically within a particular society or community context. It is not a concept that has the same applications to be applied universally. The First Nations Social Cohesion Project at the University of Western Ontario was one of the first attempts to examine social capital in First Nations communities. Social capital has been discussed in areas of economic development, traditional forms of indigenous governance, sustainable development and welfare reform. Understanding how poverty is intensified because of socio-economic factors in First Nations communities has begun to look at social capital as a way to address how to impact health and reform beyond the individual level. It is important that social capital be identified and conceptualized within the community. Barriers that exist in mainstream society need to change and reflect the appreciation and initiatives to
increase well-being that is embedded in cultural understandings.
increase well-being that is embedded in cultural understandings.
Program Example with a Focus on Building Social Capital
The formation of sustainable networks at the bridging and linking level have been noticed to be an obstacle for poor communities. This may stem from members inability to create micro-level capital and social action to politically and economically effective levels (Evans, 1996). Strong relationships with formal institutions have been described as a vital way for groups to access resources, ideas and information from institutions of power (Mignone, 2009).
Bridging, bonding and linking capital have been identified as relevant social capital components in First Nations communities. Research done on linking social capital to the health impacts for First Nations has demonstrated that with increased recognition and inclusion, communities that have these relationships (with formal and informal institutions) have better health than those who are not effectively included. In particular, the communities which have more opportunity for direct control are more likely to improve their health status than those whose relationships limit their active participation in social service developments within the community (Mignone, 2009).
One particular model used by Javier Mignone and John O'Neil addressed the suicide rates of First Nations Youth. The research was informed by the concepts of social capital within First Nations Communities (2005). Through the process of exclusion, youth in First Nations communities have experienced stress, loss of culture, economic uncertainty and a lessened transmission of culture and identity. As Mignone describes, social capital emphasizes the quality of interactions among people. In First Nations communities, the suicide rates range from very low to very high. The decline of social capital has linkages to the present rates of suicide amongst youth. Socio-economic risk factors refer to poverty at the individual and family level, community instability or lack of prosperity, limited opportunities for employment, lack of proper housing and inadequate sanitation and water quality. The more resources are socially invested, even in situations of scarce resources, the more the possibility of mitigating the effects of poverty and increasing the social infrastructure that will reduce these types of risk factors (Mignone & O'Neil, 2005).
A culture with significant collective action, participation and with positive norms of reciprocity is expected to reduce
the sense of instability or hopelessness that particularly affects youth and leads to self destructive behaviours. Networks that are flexible, diverse and inclusive across the three dimensions of social capital increase the opportunities of information and
employment, and thus play a mitigating role among the socio-economic risk factors. The preservation of culture and ensuring local control has been found to significantly impacted suicide rates.
Policy needs to take into account the levels of social capital that exists in a community and how policy decisions influence social capital, especially if they are operating within western policy and program areas.
Bridging, bonding and linking capital have been identified as relevant social capital components in First Nations communities. Research done on linking social capital to the health impacts for First Nations has demonstrated that with increased recognition and inclusion, communities that have these relationships (with formal and informal institutions) have better health than those who are not effectively included. In particular, the communities which have more opportunity for direct control are more likely to improve their health status than those whose relationships limit their active participation in social service developments within the community (Mignone, 2009).
One particular model used by Javier Mignone and John O'Neil addressed the suicide rates of First Nations Youth. The research was informed by the concepts of social capital within First Nations Communities (2005). Through the process of exclusion, youth in First Nations communities have experienced stress, loss of culture, economic uncertainty and a lessened transmission of culture and identity. As Mignone describes, social capital emphasizes the quality of interactions among people. In First Nations communities, the suicide rates range from very low to very high. The decline of social capital has linkages to the present rates of suicide amongst youth. Socio-economic risk factors refer to poverty at the individual and family level, community instability or lack of prosperity, limited opportunities for employment, lack of proper housing and inadequate sanitation and water quality. The more resources are socially invested, even in situations of scarce resources, the more the possibility of mitigating the effects of poverty and increasing the social infrastructure that will reduce these types of risk factors (Mignone & O'Neil, 2005).
A culture with significant collective action, participation and with positive norms of reciprocity is expected to reduce
the sense of instability or hopelessness that particularly affects youth and leads to self destructive behaviours. Networks that are flexible, diverse and inclusive across the three dimensions of social capital increase the opportunities of information and
employment, and thus play a mitigating role among the socio-economic risk factors. The preservation of culture and ensuring local control has been found to significantly impacted suicide rates.
Policy needs to take into account the levels of social capital that exists in a community and how policy decisions influence social capital, especially if they are operating within western policy and program areas.
Does your organization or place of practice's policies and decision making positively influence social capital for a First Nations individual or community?
Bridging Bonding Linking
Bridging Bonding Linking
Exclusion and immigrants
Although multiculturalism is part of the official Canadian policy, there have been debates in the immigration and settlement studies field over the meaning of multiculturalism and its relationship to citizenship, social cohesion, and social integration. the data on Canada’s new immigrants have shown that their levels of poverty and social exclusion have been increasing steadily since the early 1990s
Another arguement that racism is itself a form of social exclusion by Saloojee (2003), pointed out that the increasing levels of poverty among new immigrants to racial inequality and discrimination resulting in their become economic, social, political and cultural disadvantage.
Understood from this perspective, a social inclusion strategy that is meaningful to Canada’s new immigrants does not focus on social cohesion, instead it makes visible and seeks to break down barriers that prevent full participation into their new country.
Another arguement that racism is itself a form of social exclusion by Saloojee (2003), pointed out that the increasing levels of poverty among new immigrants to racial inequality and discrimination resulting in their become economic, social, political and cultural disadvantage.
Understood from this perspective, a social inclusion strategy that is meaningful to Canada’s new immigrants does not focus on social cohesion, instead it makes visible and seeks to break down barriers that prevent full participation into their new country.
empowering de-valued immigrants in labor markets
In Canada, attracting skilled immigrants has become an important issue for the national agenda, especially since the 1960s, when a points system was introduced for admitting highly educated immigrants. But structural barriers in the labor markets in countries restrict skilled immigrants’ access to occupations. The policies and practices are often mediated by the accreditation requirements of professional associations and regulatory bodies, and labor market constraints. Consequently, many skilled immigrants of ethnic have become de-skilled or de-valued workers in Canada(Danso,2009).
Consequently, a socio-political stance should adopted, which would direct the worker to assess how personal, cultural and structural processes shape immigrants’ presenting problems. By adopting a socio-political approach, practitioners would better understand that investments in human capital that skilled immigrants made abroad are discredited in Canada because of racism.
Consequently, a socio-political stance should adopted, which would direct the worker to assess how personal, cultural and structural processes shape immigrants’ presenting problems. By adopting a socio-political approach, practitioners would better understand that investments in human capital that skilled immigrants made abroad are discredited in Canada because of racism.