Half of Canadian aboriginal children living in poverty, new study finds

TORONTO – Half of Canada's aboriginal children are living in poverty, triple the national average, according to a new analysis of census statistics.

The study by the left-leaning Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released Wednesday says indigenous children trail the rest of Canada's children on practically every measure of well-being: family income, educational attainment, water quality, infant mortality, health, suicide, crowding and homelessness.

The report points out First Nation children often live in communities that are impoverished when it comes to services and infrastructure.

The analysis is based on Canada's latest census in 2006. The low income measure amounts to $38,000 a year for a family of four.

The study urges an increase in government spending but also says the key is to remove barriers to education, training and employment.