The colonization of Indigenous peoples has dramatically affected their health, and health-seeking behaviours, in a myriad of ways. The Indian Act of 1876 was, in essence, created to control the Indigenous population. The Indian Act laid out laws and regulations that tightly regulated the lives of natives economically, ideologically, and politically. This included a wealth of ways in which their identities were stripped away, and in which they were taken advantage of by the Government of Canada. This has resulted in a reduced quality of life for Canada 's indigenous population, as well as adverse health problems, and prejudicial perceptions that we still see the impact of today. The documentary series, 8th fire, by Dando and Ingles (2012) supports this claim. The Indigenous peoples ' have long felt betrayed by the government that they had signed a treaty with, so why would an Indigenous person seek health services from this establishment? The mistrust between the Indigenous peoples and the Government of Canada is the result of colonization, specifically the Indian Act, and it undoubtedly impacts Indigenous peoples and their faith in, and ability to get proper care from, the healthcare system.
The Indian Act, first introduced in 1876, was primarily a way for Canada to exercise complete control over the Indigenous population, limiting their rights and dissolving their identity. Firstly, the Indian Act did not allow Indigenous peoples to sell their cows or crops without the
We can therefore deem that the Indian Act was specifically put in place to discriminate against the Aboriginal people of Canada. Although the Canadian government has tried to change the Indian Act and has been amended several times since its’ creation in 1876 it still continues to have significant effect on Aboriginal people in
Since Native Americans have a high rate of poverty they suffer more when it comes to health problems. It was stated that if healthcare providers were to take the time to learn about Native American culture, while also spending time within their communities. Native Americans would be more open to letting healthcare providers help take care of them when it is needed. In the end it is up to the healthcare provided to gain their trust so that we would be able to help them
This paper will give an overview of the act and how it impacted the Indigenous community into becoming
The Impact of the Indian Act on Canadian Society and First Nations Identity is massive. The Indian Act had a goal of assimilating the First Nations, therefore influencing their identity and culture and also influencing Canadian Society as a whole. There are many aspects of this which will be looked into. The first step is to understand the Indian Act, which will be paragraph one. The next step is to look at the challenges left behind from the Indian Act on both the European and First Nations sides, which will be paragraph two.
Essay Outline The human race that inhabited the lands earlier than anyone else, Aboriginals in Canada had conquered many obstacles which got them to what they are today. In the past, Canadian Aboriginals have dealt with many gruesome issues that primarily involved the Canadians opposing them or treating them like ‘‘wards.’’ The Indian Act is a written law which controls the Indian’s lives and it is often amended several times to make Indian lives either peaceful or cruel but especially, cruel. Aboriginals found the Indian Act a massive problem in their lives due to it completely controlling them and how they lived on their reserve.
The imperial medical model was different than what the Native Americans were used to because it was based on science considering that they utilized medications and vaccinations and it caused the Native Americans to suffer immensely [Lecture 1/23]. Native Americans grew extremely desperate for these vaccinations, specifically for smallpox since the destruction the disease caused was so immense. For example, the desperation is illustrated in an entry of James Pattie’s journal as he recalls himself and fellow prisoner being asked if they had a vaccine [Pattie 1]. This desperation caused Native Americans to be taken advantage of by white settlers. For example many of the medical benefits treaties required the Native Americans to surrender their land in order for vaccinations [Lecture 1/23].
Under the Act, Indigenous people were forcibly removed from their traditional lands and relocated to reserves, often far from their original homes and communities. This practise of forced relocation disrupted Indigenous societies and resulted in the loss of traditional languages, cultures and ways of life (Wilson, n.d.). Forced relocation also had negative impacts on Indigenous people's health and wellbeing. The trauma and stress of being forced to leave their homes and communities led to an increased risk of mental health issue’s such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Indigenous people who were relocated to unfamiliar areas also had to adapt to new environments and resources, which often led to poverty and malnutrition (Onderkova,2015).
Colonialism has been a huge factor that has and will attempt to make aboriginal people conform to new cultural norms. Residential schools have been the most well-known way as to how colonialism affected these people. What society is not aware of is the cruelty of hospitalization of aboriginals, where unethical procedures took place using them as subjects without consent. As Dr Geddes stated during his lecture, the Canadian health care system has racism embedded in it. Stripping indigenous people of the proper health care which they have the right to receive, but kept from due to their racial status.
Tensions with the Native American tribes continued well into the nineteenth century despite efforts on their part of capitulation, assimilation, appeasement and resistance. As the federal government realized that their theory that the Native Americans had been conquered was incorrect they began to establish policy that would assimilate the Indians into white society and culture, but also facilitated the tribes losing their lands to white settlers. (Nash, et al., 2007., p. 255) Assimilation tactics varied and one such way was done through regulation of the fur trade.
Canada is often regarded as multicultural country with a high human development, great education, high life expectancy and extraordinary healthcare, proving it is an over all exceptional place to live. Although this might be the case, a fraction of Canadians who are “Indians” believe their native culture is being compromised and quality of life does not reflect that of the over all population. In the Globe and Mail article , To be Indian in Canada Today… by Richard Wagamese’s the author argues the pros and cons to granting Métis and non-status Indians status under the Constitution Act. As well as, when it comes to nationalism how are Indians regarded and what role do the first nations play in the construction of Canadian culture (Wagamese,
Europeans had many effects on the area now known as Texas and on the Indians. Few if any of those effects were positive. The Conquistadors affected the people, the land, and caused the colonization of Texas. They had many motives for their deeds, converting the Indians to Christianity, finding cities of gold, or just claiming land. A Spanish conquistador named Cabeza de Vaca crashed into the mainland near Galveston in 1528 and began exploring the area now known as Texas.
The video by Tasha Hubbard titled “Canadians have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people” displays the multitude of ways in which Canada and its government have failed to fulfill the promises it made to the Indigenous people. These promises that were made almost a century ago before 1945 are yet to be satisfied. In this video, the speaker, Tasha Hubbard details the historical and currently ongoing impact of settler colonialism and the Indian Act on the Indigenous peoples of Canada. In this essay, I will be deconstructing the Indian Act and its role in perpetuating the wrongful treatment of Canada’s original inhibitors.
Canada is known for its amazing healthcare and it is considered one of the best in the world. In Canada, healthcare is ‘universal’ to its citizens under the Heath Care Act. However, not everyone has equal access to healthcare, Aboriginals being some of them. Aboriginals have trouble getting the access they need because of socio-economic status, geography, lack of infrastructure and staff, language or cultural barriers an more. Aboriginals on reserve face many barriers when it comes to access to healthcare, they include cost, language, distance, climate, education and more.
The problem appears to become evident right from birth with aboriginal woman twice as likely as non-indigenous woman to have a stillborn baby and twice as likely to give birth to an underweight baby (ed. Healey 2000, p.4). During the period between 1991 and 1996, life expectancy for indigenous people was around 20 years than that of their non-indigenous counterparts. The lives of indigenous people are affected by many other health factors, one of most concern is alcohol related problems that impact on their well-being, family structure, and even aboriginal traditional life because they tend to drink more haphazardly. Some of the health risks to which indigenous people are exposed can be attributed the differences between the health of indigenous and non-indigenous people.
While the colonization of the America’s was negative for many reasons such as the spread of illnesses, and the forcing of religion upon natives, it was also beneficial to the Native’s because it allowed them to have better weapons and to have different foods and goods in their lives. The Europeans exposed the Natives to many new diseases once they colonized the new areas they discovered. The Europeans greatly impacted the family life and religion of the inhabitants of the areas they found. There was also a lot of exchange going on during the conquest of the Americas because the Natives were excited by the new gadgets they had never seen before that the Europeans brought over.