Aboriginal Health Essay

Introduction to the issue of Aboriginal Health in Canada
There are an increasing number of racial remarks towards aboriginals in Canada in terms of health care and the way their healthcare issues are handled with respect to the social determinants of health and their own cultural beliefs and rituals, along with the laws and policies that are set in place for all Canadian citizens. The unfair treatment towards aboriginals in the lack of funding for proper healthcare services, housing, education and the lack of attention given to their suffering in both physical and mental health by the Canadian government and healthcare workers and providers causes many Aboriginal people to feel neglected, uncared for and unimportant in this society.
The

Issues Present
The issues presented in Aboriginal communities stem from the time of colonization, the Aboriginal people were faced with culture changes, and standard of living changed drastically for them. With the settlement of the Europeans not only did they bring offerings of food and fur trade but they also brought residential schools and many diseases that the Aboriginal people were not familiar with and since their immune systems were not conscious of these diseases many people suffered and as a result died from unknown, untreated diseases.
The main issue is that since colonization, Aboriginal people have not been treated fairly in terms of their healthcare treatment and there is a lack of attention given to their issues by the Canadian government. Since these issues were never completely resolved it begins to snowball and matters get increasingly worse. The factors that shape a person’s healthcare outside of the traditional biomedical approach would include successful employment, quality education, proper housing developments, and trustworthy interpersonal connections and relationships, many of these factors are not present in aboriginal citizens due to the lack of attention given to them from the Canadian government and the inconsiderate amount of time and effort shared towards this community in improving their standard of living while still following their own cultural and spiritual beliefs.
The Concerns of this Issue
The concerns around this issue would be Canada’s bold statements about the importance of having universal healthcare when in reality this ‘ideal’ healthcare system does not reach out to some of the most important people in this country. Many Aboriginals are concerned with the fact that their healthcare needs are not being met and other factors such as overcrowded housing, poor water quality and lack of credible health care facilities are not being noticed by the Government of Canada. These factors and more are all important determinants of one’s health. The main concern is the inequality and the rising number of sickness and mental health issues that are negatively impacting the population of Aboriginals.
The Dilemma
The dilemma of this issue is that there is an unequal sharing of the health care budget under the Federal Government and there are no policies to insure their communities. Aboriginal people have many cultural differences within the traditional ‘western’ or North American biomedical approach to disease and sickness compared to the Aboriginal’s all inclusive wellbeing approach.
Thesis statement:
Although there are many cultural differences and beliefs between the biomedical and traditional approach to treating sickness and disease, more time, effort, and money should go into ensuring Aboriginals are taken care of. Providing healthcare is a basic human right and unfortunately almost 4.3% of the Canadian population cannot practice this fundamental right (Statistics Canada).
Why is it an Issue?
This is an issue because due to the 200+ years of racism and oppression felt by these people they have dealt with low self esteem, stress, and other factors that dampen their mental health. Aboriginals were forced into ways of thinking outside of their culture and beliefs. Young children were sent off to residential schools where they were tortured and repeatedly taught to ‘kill the Indian in them.’ In some cases some kids never came back home to their families and along with the numerous amounts of sexual assault, rape and abuse that many citizens experienced; especially women. It is no wonder why these people have suffered and continue to suffer to present day. The unfair treatment of Aboriginals in terms of health is an issue because it affects their communities, way of life, and overall lifestyle.
How did this issue evolve?
This issue evolved from the 15th – 19th century when the Europeans settled into the ‘New World,’ it evolved from European settlers invading North America. The Europeans first began by fishing along the coasts and embracing the abundance of natural resources but after months of fishing, packing and shipping off their catch they began communicating with the Aboriginals and that is how their relationship began. The Europeans repeatedly took advantage of them in aspects of trading, hunting and fishing and intervening in their way of life. Many new diseases were brought by Europeans and because Aboriginal people were never exposed to those diseases in the past and within their communities causing many of them to suffer and die. Pre-colonial times and events were the basis of the structure of the healthcare system for Aboriginals here in Canada today. There are many cultural differences in the ways that Aboriginal people diagnose and treat illness and disease and there is a traditional biomedical approach that majority of western health care professionals provide. Over the years approaches in the delivery of healthcare has not changed much in order to accommodate for different religions, cultural and spiritual beliefs. There are many gaps and barriers such as language, religious context and cultural beliefs between health care service providers and his/her patients.
Where it began
The settlement of Europeans occurred in many different continents and affected many different countries and people. To be specific, this health issue amongst First Nations is prominent throughout North America especially in Canada, under our ‘Universal Health Care System’
Why did it capture my interest?
This issue captured my interest because as time has passed from the very first policies of health care for citizens in Canada it seems as if there has not been enough progress towards the amount of attention Aboriginals receive from the government.

This issue also interests me due to the new presidential administration under Donald Trump south of the border and his desire to morph the American health care system has sparked debates in whether or not universal health care can be achieved and the effort required for everybody residing to feel safe and taken care of, including Aboriginal people, in both Canada and the United States.
Who does this issue involve?
This issue involves Aboriginals, the Canadian government, health care policy workers, health care providers, social workers, and the other citizens residing in Canada.
Implications of Public and Policy

makers
When looking at effects and impacts of health care providers in terms of Aboriginal care there seems to be a disconnect with the way care is delivered. In a study done in Australia, it was found that many Aboriginal patients would discharge themselves because they were displeased with the service given and the language barrier made it difficult to communicate to their doctors and nurses. The study conducted included hiring a health care provider that was of Aboriginal identity and found drastic changes in the responsiveness of patients (Exploring the Impact of Aboriginal…Experience pg 551-555). Introducing the idea of including more health care providers that speak the same language and understand the culture behind illness is vital to moving towards an all inclusive health care system. Policy makers and health providers play a huge role in the way patient care will be delivered from province to province and it is crucial that laws and policies are in place to protect and conserve the traditional and ritualistic aspects of Aboriginal health care treatment. Health workers of Aboriginal origin should be hired in order to act as translators to break the language barrier, they should also offer emotional and patient support and encourage the attendance of Aboriginal patients in educational sessions about approaches to treating certain diseases with the help of biomedical resources.
New insights
From the conducted for this paper, I have learned that the term ‘Universal Health Care’ has not always been represented in Canada.

It disappoints me to learn of all the suffering Aboriginal people are facing even though they live in a first world country with a highly praised healthcare system that is free of cost. I have extended my knowledge to the traditional approaches to healthcare that Aboriginal people practice and the importance of maintaining balance on their ‘Medical Wheel,’ this approach to health care and treatment looks at all aspects of someone’s wellbeing and ensures all aspects of someone’s health is in harmony, instead of the traditional biomedical tactic of diagnosing through running tests and prescribing medicinal drugs. The proper actions must take place before we can see change as a country. Aboriginals’ health care systems, institutions and providers should be up to pare with the rest of Canadian citizens and the only way this can be achieved is if the government of Canada gives them the attention, support and funding Aboriginal people need in order to maximize their quality of life while still practicing and preserving their culture and

beliefs.
Possible solutions to this issue
Possible solutions to this prevalent issue in Canada would be morphing and adapting to treatment and methods of medication in a more Aboriginal approach to sustain the well being of these citizens. The government of Canada must also take into consideration the other factors that determine health and provide more money into building and improving housing conditions, revising the school curriculum to enhance student learning. Mental health and social workers should also be present in schools and community centers in the community to help care for the wellbeing on the Aboriginal people and help deal with the rising incidents of suicide in young adults and help victims of abuse and suffering to feel safe and secure, ensuring there is enough clean water and proper food distribution amongst citizens and opening small clinics that are scattered throughout the region that allows the healthcare services to be used and taken advantage of. These are all just some ways that the government of Canada can help to improve the health care of Aboriginals.
What do you conclude?
From the research I gathered from this prevalent issue in Canada it is safe to conclude that major changes must take place in the Canadian health care system to accommodate for the amount of diversity there is in this nation which includes Aboriginal people. They have been looked upon for too long and no serious action has taken place due to the lack of attention, funding and proper resources. The population of Aboriginals are declining faster and faster due to health concerns that can avoided and prevented. The deterioration of their environmental conditions such as the increased pollution causing disease and the lack of government interference in a beneficial manner is playing a toll on the lives of many. Without the correct health care institutions in place and without the required funding and government attention people living in a first world country are surviving in a third world manner.