Healthcare Inequality Amongst the Indigenous

By Aaliyah Khan and Amrit Rai

It can be easy to assume that healthcare is equal to all Canadians, but sadly that is not the case. Hidden behind various layers of policies and legislation lies the deep-rooted disparity and discrimination in healthcare for the Indigenous population. Lower quality education, inadequate housing, overcrowded living conditions, insufficient income, unemployment, and incarceration rates amongst Indigenous peoples are just a few determinants of health affecting their community. 

The population of Indigenous people in Canada suffers from a greater number of health issues than most of the population. Mental health is also a very apparent issue amongst the population, leading to the extremely high suicide rates coming from these populations. These groups have long outgrown the policies and healthcare systems that were laid out years ago. To create a new, more inclusive system, it is imperative that the governments; local, provincial, and federal, understand that every group of people requires a unique approach to health. Acknowledging this is the first step in creating equity in the Canadian healthcare system.

The systematic oppression in regards to the Indigenous peoples of Canada has caused the public health system to work against them. Due to the lack of proper care within these communities, there has been a surge in opioid-related deaths and illnesses. First Nations Peoples are suffering from a scarce supply of clean water and other basic needs that cause Canada's Aboriginal groups to gain more health problems than the general population. Tuberculosis is a serious issue for many Indigenous families because the supplies made to battle the disease are hard to get to First Nations People for reasons such as little to no access to medical care, poverty, language differences, and living in poor communities with no access to outside technology.

By continuing the unfair system designed to isolate Indigenous People and not treat them with the proper care they need, we as a society are turning our backs on our fellow Canadians without giving them the opportunity to get better. If steps towards change in the public health system are not taken, the Indigenous groups of Canada will begin to fall further into poverty and sickness. To help make a difference it is vital for all to educate themselves on the issues that First Nations are forced to deal with every day.

In order to decrease the overall percentage of deaths and illnesses within Indigenous groups, we must bring awareness to the problems that various Aboriginal and First Nations groups in Canada face today. Ignoring the injustices brought to Aboriginal groups by governments in the past will not solve anything, but bringing light to the suppression that still goes on in these communities today can help teach the youth of today to not make the same mistakes, and to take action to eradicate the issue in modern society.

Organizations that work towards helping Indigenous groups receive the healthcare they deserve include the First Nations Health Authority, Healthlinkbc.ca, and the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association. The First Nations Health Authority works towards helping numerous issues such as mental wellness, substance use, environmental health, nursing services and, much more. By visiting their site you can see recent projects and places that need funding or donations to the website itself. The Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association of Canada (CINA) is devoted to helping gain the same medical care for Indigenous groups that they have been denied for so long.

To bring equality to the medical care system for all Indigenous peoples, there needs to be equal access to medical facilities, doctors, equal funding, and an increase in the number of Indigenous nurses and doctors within the public healthcare system. To beat the outdated system that works against Indigenous youth and forces people of all groups into gang violence, substance abuse, susceptibility to deadly diseases, and poverty, everyone needs to do their part. Whether it be donating, sharing a post to raise awareness, or protesting for equal funding, it can ensure that equity within Aboriginal and First Nations groups is restored.

As of 2010, the CINA has stated that they are “To promote awareness in both Canadian and International Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities of the health needs of Canadian Indigenous People,” as well as “To strengthen partnerships and develop resources supporting the recruitment and retention of more people of Indigenous ancestry into nursing and other health sciences professions”. More and more non-profit organizations such as the CINA are working towards finding equity within the Canadian healthcare system and it is important to stay aware of what is being done to help those in our community and see what you can do to help make a difference.

Reversing the racism ingrained in the Canadian Healthcare system cannot be done in a day, a month, or a year. This is an issue that will likely take decades to truly tackle. The healthcare system has become insensitive to Indigenous history, resulting in ignorance when it comes to their unique individual needs. Structural change needs to occur in our own government and healthcare systems in order to begin reforming the current system. The four steps outlined in this post will guide you to become an effective ally in the fight for Indigenous equality in healthcare:

Step 1: Acknowledge the inequity - Many of us were oblivious to the integral racism in our healthcare system faced by the Indigenous population. Take a second to understand how important this issue is and why it is so important to address.

Step 2: Educate yourself and others - Learning the harsh details behind the systemic inequality can be difficult, but will empower you to do more. Also, try and get your family and peers to join you in your mission to create change!Take a second to understand how important this issue is.Many of us were oblivious to the integral racism in our healthcare system faced by the Indigenous population. Take a second to understand how important this issue is.

Step 3: Voice your opinion - By letting the people around you know where you stand on an issue, you are opening the door to a lot of uncomfortable conversations with people who may not be as educated on the topic. These interactions may be difficult, but can create a world of difference when it comes to the public opinion of an issue as historical and systemic as this one.

Step 4: Take Action - There are many ways to take action.

1. Sign Petitions: Petitions are a great way to help out of you are unable to donate or attend protests

2. Contact Government Officials: New policies MUST be made to make a difference. Indigenous health is too often ignored by law enforcement, and policies that command independent investigations for these people are integral to making a REAL difference.

3. Attend Protests - Check if there are any protests happening near you, and challenge the government alongside the people who have faced discrimination for their entire lives.

4. Donate: Providing organizations with donations will support them in their goals to communicate relevant issues to our government, as well as help these people

Sources:

• www150.statcan.gc.ca

• Nccih.ca

• www.ictinc.ca

• publichealthreviews.biomedcentral.com

• www.sac-isc.gc.ca

• www.express-scripts.ca