The Indigenous population in Canada has been subjected to persistent inequalities for generations, stemming from a multitude of contributing factors. In the realm of healthcare, Indigenous communities in Canada face persistent barriers to accessing health services, which exacerbates the already prevalent health issues among this population. This disparity is attributed to a shortage of government funding for Indigenous healthcare, historical injustices, and the persistent boil water advisories in numerous communities. It is imperative that the Canadian healthcare system and government take action to address these disparities, with the expansion of resources being a crucial step towards achieving healthcare equity for Indigenous peoples in …show more content…
Indigenous practices are not favored in Canada and the prohibition of spiritual methodologies during the residential school era has exaggerated this issue. Western healthcare practices do not typically involve any traditional indigenous practices which make it difficult for the practices to be as beneficial for indigenous peoples. Their cultural practices and spiritual traditions were a large part in maintaining peace with themselves and the world, but these practices were deemed illegal after the Indian act was passed, and 100 years later the effects of this act are still damaging the mental health of indigenous Canadians. Colonization has been very dehumanizing for indigenous people as it stripped them of their culture and practices. “Decolonization should go hand in hand with a process of “indigenizing” medical education, creating a space where Indigenous knowledge and ways of coexisting with Western worldviews” (Jones., et al, 2019), stating that it is of great importance to acknowledge the indigenous ways of medicine in order to compensate the needs of the population. In order for indigenous people to be in control of their own health, these practices have to become more relevant and integrated into Canada's healthcare practices in a respectful, nonjudgmental way, which has impacted the Canadian healthcare system as new training measurements have been put in place to meet the needs of Canada's indigenous population. Healthcare providers now have to undergo unique, cultural-specific protocols and training measurements as well as receive historical background information to best understand their patients and provide care in a culturally safe and inclusive way. Despite these efforts, there is still much work to be done to address health inequities in Indigenous communities. One of the main challenges facing the healthcare system is the ongoing legacy of
During this time, family members emphasized that understanding and honoring individuals whose lives were cruelly cut short necessitates a detailed accounting of all the ties that molded their loved one's life and that their loved one, in turn, shaped. Throughout the process, public community hearings were held, private statements were collected, expert panels were formed, and written archive records and existing studies on the problem were reviewed. This process aims to find the truth by gathering many stories from many people to have the truths woven together to show the world what violence really looks like for Indigenous women and girls in Canada. The National Inquiry reached out to put families first throughout the process rather than others who hold power, as well as being informed about the trauma encountered and making sure there is no further harm, and decolonizing where in they center Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing. The idea of cultural safety emerged from this process as a foundational principle of wellness.
Historic trauma stems from relocation, disease, residential schools, the Indian Act, and racial policies meant to assimilate and eradicate Aboriginal people (First Nations Health Council, 2011). Contact between Aboriginal Peoples and non-Aboriginals facilitated the spread of epidemic diseases which lead to the Aboriginal population collapse (First Nations Health Council, 2011). Daschuk, Hackett and MacNeil (2006) note that different severities of diseases experienced by First Nations were directly related to the new realities of the First Nations peoples as they struggled to adapt to the world of the colonisers including economic dislocation, political changes, and changes from traditional diets all created the perfect environment for breading diseases. The government and churches actively colonized and controlled Aboriginal peoples by eroding all Aboriginal systems including “spirituality, political authority, education, health care systems, land and resource access, and cultural practices” (First Nations Health Council, 2011, p. 13). It is important to recognize that colonial structures have purposely sought to “eliminate Indigenous sovereignty, Indigenous governments and Indigenous constitutional orders” (Ladner, 2009, p. 90).
In interviewing my mother and sister-in-law, I was fully aware that there would be two distinct perspectives relating to health, healing, birth and death. The fact that my mother did not acknowledge our indigenous bloodline was of no surprise to me. That is partially due to the society she grew up in, where repressing any indigenous identity, were rejected influences by colonization and intergenerational trauma. Whereas, interviewing my sister-in-law who is indigenous and identifies as a Kichwa woman, grew up with a completely different philosophy, belief and acceptance. The reason I state this is to give a clear understanding of how these two opposite ideologies influenced my world.
Like many articles on Aboriginal Peoples issues, Anna Banerji’s CBC article “Improving Indigenous Health Starts With Reconciliation” (Banerji, 2015), is a critique on the treatment of Native Peoples in Canada. Her main thesis focuses on the inequality that exists in Canada, by underscoring the biases and discriminations perpetrated on Indigenous Peoples, in terms of basic human rights. Banerji’s advocacy, although commendable, leaves an empty space, in terms of both a governmental (policy) perspective, and her own assertion’s credibility, due to her writing style and content. These ingredients are essential for an understanding by the target audience (Canadians, in general), as it could allow for a powerful critique on the human rights violations
To improve health outcomes in the Doomadgee community, it is crucial to address the social, historical, and political factors that have led to health inequities. One approach to achieving this is through the principles of culturally safe health care. Culturally safe health care refers to health care that is respectful, inclusive, and appropriate for Indigenous Australians and their communities. Two principles of culturally safe health care that could have been utilized to improve Betty Booth's health outcomes are the principle of cultural responsiveness and the principle of
Health outcomes refers to the effect healthcare activities have on an individual, group or population. It 's evident that even with the presence of anti-discrimination and equal opportunities legislation, Indigenous Australians have inferior health outcomes than non-Indigenous Australians. The dissimilarities in health status between Native and non-Native Australians are closely linked with the allocation of health determinants such as income levels and housing conditions, education levels and access to healthcare services. Income levels and housing conditions can easily be identified as an important determinant of health. Many health outcomes, including life expectancy and infant mortality can be associated with inequalities of income distribution
Colonialism has been a huge factor that has and will attempt to make aboriginal people conform to new cultural norms. Residential schools have been the most well-known way as to how colonialism affected these people. What society is not aware of is the cruelty of hospitalization of aboriginals, where unethical procedures took place using them as subjects without consent. As Dr Geddes stated during his lecture, the Canadian health care system has racism embedded in it. Stripping indigenous people of the proper health care which they have the right to receive, but kept from due to their racial status.
There is a great concern to today’s inequity regarding Aboriginal people’s health, education, culture and language. Stereotypes and racism are preventing the Aboriginal people from seeking the benefits they deserve. As Treaty People in Canada, reconciliation must be a top priority to support the healing process of Canada’s history. The treaty relationship has a significant impact on all Saskatchewan and Canadian citizen’s personal beliefs, societal and political positions, and the process of reconciliation.
The indigenous health disparity is a critical event that has significant implications for Canadian society. This is because it exposes the deep-rooted problem of systemic racism, impacts the health and livelihood of indigenous individuals and provides society with the knowledge and opportunity to see what their past choices have led to and how society can use this event as a guide to a more equitable future. Firstly, systemic racism is a major issue that affects the majority of indigenous people in all sectors and predominantly in healthcare. For instance, many indigenous people have voiced how they often experience profiling, bias, stereotyping and non-culturally appropriate care from healthcare professionals which can lead to different treatment
In the United States, healthcare is one of the largest industries. Hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and home health services in this industry can account for just some of the healthcare services and centers available to the public. With this in mind, it would seem that healthcare could be accessible to citizens in the United States. Yet, some populations do not have easy access to healthcare. Native Americans are an underserved population when it comes to healthcare.
Aboriginal identity, mental health and suicide rates were outlined throughout this analysis along with the disgusting lack of government aid. As stated above, the aboriginals from the Kattawapiskak River have a strong sense of identity. The persons on these reserves are proud of their traditions and practice resilience in their faith and values, however, the physical and emotional pain these people are put through will soon break their spirits. They can only ask for help from the government so many times before it will be too
Janet Smylie presents the current challenges facing indigenous Canadians in Westernised educational models. The author outlines the impact of colonisation on indigenous sociocultural belief systems highlighting this as a mitigating factor in the low levels of indigenous youth literacy. Smylie summarises the need to incorporate conceptualisation of Aboriginal culture, learning styles and perceptions when drafting framework for literacy outcomes. Additionally, the author highlights the need for self-determination by utilising the knowledge within communities to officially establish intrinsic connection between health and literacy outcomes in indigenous communities. In particular, embracing indigenous values such as metaphysical beliefs and traditional
Canada is known for its amazing healthcare and it is considered one of the best in the world. In Canada, healthcare is ‘universal’ to its citizens under the Heath Care Act. However, not everyone has equal access to healthcare, Aboriginals being some of them. Aboriginals have trouble getting the access they need because of socio-economic status, geography, lack of infrastructure and staff, language or cultural barriers an more. Aboriginals on reserve face many barriers when it comes to access to healthcare, they include cost, language, distance, climate, education and more.
The problem appears to become evident right from birth with aboriginal woman twice as likely as non-indigenous woman to have a stillborn baby and twice as likely to give birth to an underweight baby (ed. Healey 2000, p.4). During the period between 1991 and 1996, life expectancy for indigenous people was around 20 years than that of their non-indigenous counterparts. The lives of indigenous people are affected by many other health factors, one of most concern is alcohol related problems that impact on their well-being, family structure, and even aboriginal traditional life because they tend to drink more haphazardly. Some of the health risks to which indigenous people are exposed can be attributed the differences between the health of indigenous and non-indigenous people.
The colonization of Indigenous peoples has dramatically affected their health, and health-seeking behaviours, in a myriad of ways. The Indian Act of 1876 was, in essence, created to control the Indigenous population. The Indian Act laid out laws and regulations that tightly regulated the lives of natives economically, ideologically, and politically. This included a wealth of ways in which their identities were stripped away, and in which they were taken advantage of by the Government of Canada. This has resulted in a reduced quality of life for Canada 's indigenous population, as well as adverse health problems, and prejudicial perceptions that we still see the impact of today.