Aboriginal Canadian Health

First Nations, Inuit and Métis people roughly 4% of Canada's population (Statscan, 2006 census)

Sovereign peoples under the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982

Many groups with diverse needs and interests Negotiate with Government for land rights,

hunting and fishing rights and governance rights

Approximately 50% live on self-governed land

Background

Marginalized from the rest of Canadians Forcibly assimilated; physically and sexually

abused in state-run residential school for more than 150 years

Slowly rebuilding the many cultures that were almost destroyed

Self-governance is the ultimate goal Accepting Government of Canada's Apology

The National Tragedy

Health

General health depends on place of residence Health of non-Reserve aboriginal people better Aboriginal peoples have higher rates of chronic

disease Lower access to health care services Mental health is a major issue in Aboriginal

communities Aboriginal women are more likely to experience

sexual and physical abuse

General Trends

High levels of obesity (especially among women)

High levels of type-2 diabetes and chronic heart disease

Higher HIV/AIDS infection Suicide or self-inflicted injury is the leading

cause of death among aboriginals under 44 yrs Poor housing conditions lead to increase

exposure and prevelance of communicable disease

Children

Aboriginal communities are generally young Disproportionate burden of poor health Very high proportion of injuries (13%) Higher level of obesity and diabetes Aboriginal youth 5 times more likely to commit

suicide then non-aboriginal youth Inuit youth suicide rate is 11 times the national

average

Inuit

Northern health is a big issue Remote communities forced to give up

traditional lifestyle Living in inadequate housing leading to high

exposure and susceptibility Inuit have 62 times higher TB infection rate

What is being done?

Aboriginal peoples continuously fighting for more autonomy and compensation for past wrongs

Government of Canada is working closely with aboriginal groups to increase funding and training

Better integration of aboriginal health programs and provincial and territorial health systems

Aboriginal Health Programs

Indian Health Transfer Policy (negotiations starting in 1969) Community development to remove conditions

limiting attainment of well-being (1979) Pace of transfer of responsibility varies between

groups – to help groups design programs that best fit their needs (1988)

Right to Self-Government Policy (1995)

The Future

Aboriginal communities getting more autonomy and Government support

Community health services become better and more available More trained staff, more funding from Government

More focus on mental health issues General health of Inuit still a big problem

Need more access to health services Need more adequate housing