Societies change over time: the population grows, we develop technologies, we acquire knowledge, we transform our environment. All of these changes are creating new challenges that must be addressed.
For example, when a society is young – as is the case for numerous Aboriginal Nations where there are many children – it is important to make sure that the education system is working well and that the families who need help can get it. The Aboriginal Nations of Quebec want to offer children an education that respects traditions while preparing them for the modern world, but they also want the schools to function in such a way as to make young people want to stay in class until they graduate. The communities are working very hard to make this happen.
As in all societies, medicine also allows Aboriginal people to live longer: there are more elders. Another challenge is to ensure that everyone can access health care without having to leave home for long periods of time: so clinics and home-care networks are being created, and more and more Aboriginal people are studying to become doctors and nurses, to take care of their people while respecting their traditions.