Aboriginal Health Care

995 Words2 Pages

In Canada, consistent growth of Aboriginal health and social inequities signal a critical need for public policy juncture (Richmond & Cook, 2016) Richmond & Cook identify that current public policy fails to meet Canadian Aboriginal health needs, as influences of historic colonialism still perpetuate current public policies (2016).It is understood that colonialism efforts destroyed First Nations political and economic systems, trivializing and degrading world views And further, causing dislocation and detachment from culture causing rippling intergenerational effects(Wasekeesikaw, 2014). These impacts of colonialism are significant still today, contributing to unique social determinants of health that present largely in social and health inequities. …show more content…

Wasekeesikaw, (2016) states that not only do biases and lack of cultural knowledge contribute to inadequate delivery of health services, but also correlate with perceptions Aboriginal people have with nurses and the nursing profession. With policies still deeply rooted in colonization, nurses may be seen as contributing factors in inability to access health care and negatively influence nurse patient relations(Wasekeesikaw, 2014).
Richmond and Cook identify that a growing body of research highlights the impact racism has on health and health status, in addition to evolving racial attitudes and practices through institutional approaches and system development (2016) The CNA and ANA working collaboratively together have identified that the commitment to addressing institutional barriers including racism and discrimination to support positive change for quality of care (CNA, 2016). However, the growing inequities and disparity warrant a critical need to examine current political policies contributing to the marginalization and disparity of Aboriginal Peoples. Current policies, rooted in colonization necessitate a healthcare reform where culturally specific and safe healing systems are implemented (Wasekeesikaw, 2014). By examining colonization impact on current policies, individual nurses are better equipped to understand health inequities, and …show more content…

Colonization, an assimilation process whereby First Nations peoples economic and political systems were destroyed has had detrimental and lasting effects on First Nations health and way of life. (Wasekeesikaw, 2014). With European settlers came the displacement of First Nations and to adoption of government policies to protect, civilize and assimilate First Nations into Canadian Society. The assimilation process depleted both the physical and spiritual health of First nations peoples, repressing First nations governance and cultural identity (Wasekeesikaw, 2014). To add insult, the inherent oppressive nature of past policies lingers in current policies and continue to contribute to health disparity among First peoples

Open Document