Dene health survey conducted in own language

A survey conducted of the Dene Nation in the Northwest Territories reveals that 90 per cent of respondents indicated that at some point they or their family have gone hungry. The survey was conducted from 2008 to 2010 and involved Aboriginal workers in 17 communities going door-to-door and speaking with people of all ages in their language.

Other highlights of the survey indicate that 60 per cent of Dene smoke; three quarters of the homes are smoke-free; alcohol and drug abuse top the list of concerns; and family values rate high.