UBC Wiki:Discrimination Against Canada's Indigenous
Introduction
The Indigenous population of Canada is made up of three particular groups, this being: First Nations, Inuit, and Metis [1]. Through a recent census (2011), it was found that there are currently 1,400,685 people of Indigenous heritage living in Canada [1]. With the number growing at a steady rate of approximately 20% annually, it is important to recognize past trials and tribulations this group has faced with regards to discrimination [1]. This includes: Residential schools, poor living conditions on reserves, health care inequality, poverty, systemic/societal discrimination/inequality etc. Although there have been numerous strides taken to try and correct these past wrongs, including reconciliation by the Canadian government, the lasting effects are shown to be generational.
Policies
As early as the mid 1800’s, the British Government established numerous laws pertaining to the “gradual civilization of Indian tribes” [2]. It involved promoting a Eurocentric worldview of land ownership, inheritance, taxation etc. [2]. Through the Gradual Civilization Act of 1857, which was brought into act before Canada was even a nation, is said to control Indigenous people and impose European laws and customs [2]. In fact, these laws continued even after Canada was formed [2]. In 1869, a new act was created labelled “Canada’s Gradual Enfranchisement Act” which essentially re-enforced the earlier act [2]. It involved creating additional rules to dominate and control Indigenous people on a larger scale through bureaucracy [2]. In the 1870’s the Canadian government further revised this due to the “lack of progress” on assimilation, and created the Indian Act of 1876 [2]. To this day, the Indian Act controls many aspects of Indigenous life including controlling movement, economic opportunities, lands, relationships etc. [2]
Policies Brought To Action: Residential Schools
The colonization of Canada by European settlers forced Indigenous people into a world in which they had no idea of. Many of these settlers saw First Nations group as “uncivilized” and needing to be helped. Therefore, as early as 1892, Indigenous kids were taken from their families and communities and sent away to schools that were being operated by the Catholic church, and later the government of Canada [3]. This removal was in fact lawful, and intended to erase the social and cultural identity of the Indigenous child [3]. This was all done in order to try and get the future First nations generations who were being re-socialized, to contribute economically to a modernizing Canada [3]. Residential school children experienced loss of culture, language, values, family bonding, life skills, and even self-respect [3]. Bonds were loosened between parents and children as a result, leaving many in a very poor state [3]. Survivors reported problems with alcohol and drug abuse problems, homelessness, gambling, hopelessness, dependency, isolation, prostitution, and suicidal behaviour [3]. In fact, it has been found that this trauma has lasted and continues to for the third generation now [3]. Within these government run schools, kids faced both physical and sexual abuse, shame, neglect, abandonment, racism etc. [3] These schools remained in effect until 1996, when the last government run one closed [3].
Outcomes of Discrimination on Health
Experiences pertaining to colonization, alongside inequalities in income, employment, housing, and food security has resulted in numerous problems for the Indigenous population of Canada [4]. Health being the major issue, where even the average life expectancy for First Nations are much lower than the rest of Canada [5]. For example, in 2017 Aboriginal men had a life expectancy of 70.3 years, in comparison to 79 years for all other Canadians [5]. Aboriginal women were at 77 years, in comparison to 83 years for all other Canadians [5]. What is important to note, is the traumatic and negative effects ongoing and historical colonialism has had on Indigenous health [5]. With limited access to resources due to high levels of poverty, systemic racism and other forms of discrimination perpetuate this never ending cycle [5]. With limited access to resources due to high levels of poverty, systemic racism and other forms of discrimination perpetuate this never ending cycle [5]. For example, through racial comments regarding alcohol/substance abuse, land claims, entitlements etc. all create an extremely harmful stereotype [5]. As a result, Indigenous people have difficulties seeking help and/or accessing public services due to such assumptions and continued discrimination [5].
Health Care System
Government run healthcare services, are not designed to take into the accounts if Indigenous people; especially with regards to past trauma [5]. This is another key issue, as many First Nations people often rely on the mainstream system. As a result, it is extremely important to continue the establishment of Aboriginal health centres, where patients can access tailored and non-biased help [5].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hackett, Christina. "Canada's residential school system: Measuring the intergenerational impact of familial attendance on health and mental health outcomes". Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health: 1096–1105.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Neeganagwedgin, Erica. "The land since time immemorial: A review of the assimilation policies on indigenous peoples through canada's indian act". Journal of Indigenous Studies and First Nations and First Peoples' Cultures: 136–142.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Elias, Brenda. "Trauma and suicide behaviour histories among a canadian indigenous population: An empirical exploration of the potential role of canada's residential school system". Social Science & Medicine: 1560–1569.
- ↑ Hajizadeh, Mohammed. "Socioeconomic inequalities in psychological distress and suicidal behaviours among indigenous peoples living off-reserve in canada". Canadian Medical Association Journal.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 Browne, Annette J. "Enhancing health care equity with indigenous populations: Evidence-based strategies from an ethnographic study". BMC Health Services Research.