The study found that the proportion of native people and the unemployment rate constituted the best predictors of the violent crime rate in Ontario communities. The property crime rate, on the other hand, was most closely linked to the demographic characteristics of the communities (e.g., the proportion of young males in the population). Fundamental improvements in the social and economic conditions under which native Canadians live would seem to be the single most effective strategy for preventing violent crime. This means the living conditions of Ontario's native people must be greatly improved in accordance with the recommendations of the Canadian Council on Social Development (1984). Property crime might be addressed by increasing the constructive community involvement of young men. A large pool of unemployed young men is a principal factor in property crimes. 3 tables, 4 notes, 31 references.