Many of the Indigenous peoples in Canada have faced trauma and abuse since colonialist arrived to what is now known as Canada. There are high proportions of Indigenous peoples who have become the victims to substances (i.e. illegal and prescribed) and alcohol. In comparison to non-Aboriginal Canadians, Aboriginal people have a higher level of drug usage and alcohol abuse (Currie). CBC News Network reports that First Nations peoples in British Columbia are “five times more likely to experience an overdose and three times more likely to die from one” than non-First Nations” (CBC). Furthermore, in British Columbia alone, the Aboriginal communities have been affected by a drug crisis that has killed six hundred-forty people in the first five months …show more content…
Aboriginal peoples in Canada have endured a “deliberate, comprehensive, and prolonged assault on their human rights” (Chansonneuve 5). The impacts of historical injustices, such as colonization and the enforcement of residential schools, are still present in the lives of many Aboriginal peoples. Alcohol abuse can be traced back to the European fur traders who introduced liquor to the Aboriginal peoples in the early seventeenth century. Prior to the colonialism, drunkenness and violence were unknown to Aboriginal people (Chansonneuve 7). Additionally, after the arrival of European colonialists, tobacco became a commercially grown addictive substance before which it used to be treated as a scared medicine for ceremonial purposes (Chansonneuve 7). The substance of tobacco which had a beneficial use that is linked to positive health, spiritual or social impact moved right on the spectrum of psychoactive substance use, towards the problematic use and chronic dependence (Richardson). Along with the introduction of alcohol, the Europeans also introduced residential schooling to the Aboriginal peoples. The residential schools have mostly had a negative impact on the lives of many Aboriginal peoples and have caused trauma and pain to many of the students. Many children who attended the residential schools were stripped from their …show more content…
Likewise, poverty is associated with increased substance use (Loppie & Wien 8). In relation to the health factor, colonialism, discrimination, isolation and social exclusion are some of the determinants to the mental and physical health of Aboriginal peoples. All of these determinants relating to health may put a strain on the lives of some Aboriginal peoples as there is correlation between ill health, poverty and low socioeconomic status (Reading 10). Poverty is an issue that transcends age and time. With low income and societal isolation, some Aboriginal peoples are being marginalized into homelessness. Aboriginal peoples who are homeless have high levels of substance abuse (Reading 20). According to a 2007 survey report on Aboriginal peoples and substance use done by Street Health, seventy-seven percent of the participants have used an illicit drug other than marijuana regularly in the past year and twenty-six percent had injected drugs in the past year (Reading 20). This report reveals the high levels of substance use by some Aboriginal peoples. With realities some face – low income, trauma, mental health, poor housing –Aboriginal peoples look at substances and alcohol as remedies to their problems. Aboriginal peoples often reach towards substances and alcohol to relieve isolation and to cope with illness, trauma and/or pain (Reading 20). It has been observed
Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These focuses and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems. (WHO, 2016). In the video, various social determinants of health were being portrayed. They include aboriginal status; how aboriginal people are treated and how this treatment contributes to the economic status and health status of aboriginal people. Education, as aboriginal schools receive less funding from the government. Housing, as aboriginal people are forced to live in unsuitable reserves. Social exclusion and social safety net as aboriginal people are excluded from society. The social determinants of health are what contributes to the attributes of social justice. This problem also led to a larger and broader issue in society that includes the attributes of social justice. Social justice problems such as human and civil rights that includes sexism and racism. Equity in which the distribution of society’s wealth is not distributed fairly and results aboriginal people receive less of society’s wealth. Equity refers to fair shares. (CNA, 2010). It also leads to poverty as they experience lack of access to basic needs such as food, water, clothing and shelter. It also led to higher suicide rates and increase rate of aboriginal people in federal prisons. It also contributes to many health issues such as 42% of aboriginal children lack dental care, tuberculous rate four times higher and diabetics rate three times higher. Most of all it has led
A reasonable way of understanding why aboriginal people in Canada are at a higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS is to go back in time and revisit a few historical events that left an indelible mark on this population. To exemplify, colonialism, the 1876 Indian Act and the establishment of residential schools and Indian reserves, resulted in the loss of physical territory, cultural values and had a demoralizing and traumatizing effect on the indigenous peoples of Canada that extends to this date (Reading & Wien, 2009). Also deriving from colonization, were the losses of self-determination, power of voice and decision making as well...
Definition: Mental health has become a pressing issue in Indigenous communities. Often, a combination of trauma, a lack of accessible health resources, substance abuse, violence, and socioeconomic situations lead to high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in Indigenous Peoples. This crisis is especially apparent in Indigenous youth, where there is a growing suicide epidemic but little mental health support and resources are provided. The increase in stigmatized and untreated mental illness has continued as trauma and systemic injustices remain unaddressed. Indigenous groups, governmental parties, and health organizations are involved.
... be low educated, likely to experience previous marriage or common-law union, and also more likely to be unemployed or have unemployed partner (Brownridge, 2008). Those aboriginal men who live on reserve are highly engaged in substance abuse such as alcohol. Most of the domestic violence tends to occur due to the consequence of high intake of alcohol. In aboriginal family violence offences, “69% were committed while the accused was under the influence of drugs or alcohol …just over half (54%) of the victims of a family violence assault were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the assault” (Paletta, 2008). There are various reasons why aboriginal people are highly involved with substance abuse and are more likely to commit suicide than non-aboriginal people (i.e. socioeconomic conditions, unemployment, traumatic history, residential school, etc.).
There are significant health disparities that exist between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. Being an Indigenous Australian means the person is and identifies as an Indigenous Australian, acknowledges their Indigenous heritage and is accepted as such in the community they live in (Daly, Speedy, & Jackson, 2010). Compared with Non-Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal people die at much younger ages, have more disability and experience a reduced quality of life because of ill health. This difference in health status is why Indigenous Australians health is often described as “Third World health in a First World nation” (Carson, Dunbar, Chenhall, & Bailie, 2007, p.xxi). Aboriginal health care in the present and future should encompass a holistic approach which includes social, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing in order to be culturally suitable to improve Indigenous Health. There are three dimensions of health- physical, social and mental- that all interrelate to determine an individual’s overall health. If one of these dimensions is compromised, it affects how the other two dimensions function, and overall affects an individual’s health status. The social determinants of health are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age which includes education, economics, social gradient, stress, early life, social inclusion, employment, transport, food, and social supports (Gruis, 2014). The social determinants that are specifically negatively impacting on Indigenous Australians health include poverty, social class, racism, education, employment, country/land and housing (Isaacs, 2014). If these social determinants inequalities are remedied, Indigenous Australians will have the same opportunities as Non-Ind...
Walter, M. (2007). Aboriginality, poverty and health-exploring the connections. Beyond bandaids: exploring the underlying social determinants of aboriginal health. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.lowitja.org.au/sites/default/files/docs/Beyond-Bandaids-CH5.pdf/ [Accessed 10 Apr 2014]
Indigenous Australian’s health has been a focal point and topic of interest for many members of the government and policy markers. The reasoning for why this topic has been of popular interest for the government and policy makers is due to the startling and atrocious lack of health that Indigenous Australian’s suffer. Indigenous Australian’s are disadvantaged in the Australian healthcare system and have the poorest health out of all Australians. “Between 2004 and 2008, 66% of Indigenous deaths occurred before the age of 65 compared with 20% of non-Indigenous deaths.” (Red Dust, p.1) Indigenous Australian’s experience this major disadvantage and neglect in the Australian society due to the poor health care system and policies that haven’t been able to solve the issue. This essay will explore the significant and negative impact on the Indigenous communities and how policy decisions have impacted and continue to impact the Indigenous communities. This essay will also outline why there have been significant policy shifts over time, the current issues in delivering services to Indigenous Australian’s and why these issues have emerged.
As we learned throughout the duration of the course through lecture, readings and discussions, Indigenous Canadians are faced with many determinants of health.
No community in Canada comes into conflict with criminal justice system officials more disproportionately than Aboriginals (Dickson-Gilmore, 2011, p.77). Indeed, Aboriginal Canadians are often subject to both overt and unintended discrimination from Canadian law enforcement due in large part to institutionalized reputations as chronic substance abusers who are incapable of reform (Dickson-Gilmore, 2011, p.77-78). One of the more startling contemporary examples of this is the case of Frank Paul; a Mi’kmaq Canadian who was left to die in a Vancouver alley by officers of the Vancouver Police Department after being denied refuge in a police “drunk tank”. Not surprisingly, this event garnered significant controversy and public outcry amongst Canada’s Aboriginal population who have long been subject to over-policing and persistent overrepresentation as offenders in the Canadian criminal justice system (Jiwani & Dickson-Gilmore, 2011, p.43 & 81).
Stephen W. Hwang, et al. "Drug problems among homeless individuals in Toronto, Canada: prevalence, drugs of choice, and relation to health status." BMC Public Health 10, (January 2010): 94-100, EBSCO Academic Search Premier (accessed February 22, 2012).
There are some social determinants factors contribute to Australian indigenous people’s mental health disorders. The addiction incidence of mental health disorders and substance misuse problems is terribly high. Aboriginal Australians suffer from unemployment and that can give rise to substance misuse, anxiety, depression, and sometimes severe mental health conditions. The social isolation risks rose up with development of social exclusion and hardship, such as addiction, divorce, disability, s...
The drugs issue is a major problem in Australia. A simple solution cannot be found to solve this great problem because there are so many decisions, thoughts and sacrifices that need to be made. All sides of the issue must be considered when making such a large decision. To find a solution, several tests, meetings, interviews and research need to be made, to name a few. Extreme care is needed when challenging such major issues, all aspects of the problem need to be considered.
For decades First Nations people1 faced abuse in Canada's residential school system. Native children had their culture and families torn away from them in the name of solving the perceived “Indian Problem” in Canada. These children faced emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of residential school supervisors and teachers. Since the fazing out of residential schools in the 1960's the survivors of residential schools and their communities have faced ongoing issues of substance addiction, suicide, and sexual abuse.2 These problems are brought on by the abuse that survivors faced in residential schools. The government of Canada has established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address these issues but it has been largely ineffective. Though the Government of Canada has made adequate efforts towards monetary reparations for the survivors of residential schools, it has failed to provide a means to remedy the ongoing problems of alcohol and drug addiction, sexual abuse, and suicide in the communities of residential school survivors.3
In order to understand the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal health; it is important to recognize their worldview or set of beliefs on health (Tilburt, 2010). They practice a “holistic” approach unlike the Western Biomedical model where health is centred on biological functioning (Lock, 2007). According to this model the essence of being healthy relies on the mental, spiritual and social well-being rather than the absence of an illness (Hampton & Toombs, 2013). It is closely linked to spiritual and environmental factors; the heart of which is country, tradition and kinship. Land is a source of identity and spirituality for indigenous people (Hampton & Toombs, 2013). Kinship manages connection to land as well as ceremonial obligations and interpersonal relationships (Hampton & Toombs, 2013). For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a healthy person consists of physical and spiritual elements. It’s evident that colonisation eroded the structures upon which Indige...
...s a way of coping with bad memories and changes in culture (Reser, 1991). Many Indigenous are still being affected by the events which unfolded long ago. Alcohol is consumed by many who are known to have mental disorders. Depression is a major issue within the aboriginal population with many suffering with factors like grief, shame, worry, homesickness, and anger due to the colonization and the way it has changed their everyday life, culture and environment (Reser).