All levels of government play a key role in helping communities to mobilize. Our changing society brings with it new challenges for governments. They need to continue to fund public services and to create new structures and processes to work in partnership with other sectors. Local governments are under tremendous pressure to respond to increased demands when resources from other levels of government are dwindling and, at the same time, the families and communities they serve are more diverse. Multicultural communities require approaches that advocate mutual respect and cross-cultural understanding.
Aboriginal communities can demonstrate remarkable resilience, strength and creativity.
Like other communities, they are culturally, geographically and structurally heterogeneous and differ in health status. Economic changes have led to significant social stratification within indigenous groups, and between these groups and the rest of Canada. Aboriginal people and their communities are at particular risk from stresses caused by rapid social and economic changes, such as unemployment. In Canada, Aboriginal communities face poor housing conditions, high unemployment and low incomes. As in other communities, patient and persistent leaders are at the forefront of Aboriginal community development.