Aboriginal Communities

Question 1

Define: Aboriginal

Answer 1

Includes all first-nations peoples, including inuit and metis group, all who have a unique heritage, spiritual beliefs, practices, languages, etc.

Question 2

Define: First Nation

Answer 2

Status and Non-status Indian’s, first to live in Canada

Question 3

Define: Inuit

Answer 3

People of aboriginal decent who live in northern parts of Canada (ex. Yukon, NWT, Labrador, etc.)

Question 4

Define: Metis

Answer 4

People of aboriginal decent who date back to the fur trade, where they married people of European decent, creating the unique culture of the metis nation

Question 5

Define: Status First Nation

Answer 5

Defined as “Indian” under the Indian act; often member of first nations off or on reserve

Question 6

Define: Non-status First Nations

Answer 6

Aboriginal ancestry that is not registered under the Indian act

Question 7

Define: Reserve

Answer 7

Tract of land set apart by “her majesty” for use and benefit by band, but not actually owned by aboriginals

Question 8

Define: Band

Answer 8

One or more reserves

Question 9

What are examples of disease that was common during the European takeover of Aboriginals:

Answer 9

TB, Measles, Smallpox, Whooping Cough, and Syphilis

Question 10

What is the Indian Act (1876)?

Answer 10

• Gov’t decided who was and was not Indian; spelled out what considered you to be Indian, as well as who could maintain or lose their status
• Only 250 individuals choose to lose their status
• Most dis-empowering act in the history of the Canadian government

Question 11

What is the British North American Act (1867)?

Answer 11

Purpose was to create a newly formed federal government, where the government took responsibility and authority over Aboriginal people, land and resources

Question 12

When was the first residential school created? When was it compulsory?

Answer 12

1883 first created; in 1920 it became compulsory

Question 13

Define: Colonization

Answer 13

Extending gov’t power through the migration to settler colonies and the ruling of that colony’s existing people

Question 14

When were residential schools closed? What did this mean for the children?

Answer 14

• 1970

- Several children ended up under federal care

Question 15

When was there a “lift” on the ban of cultural ceremonies?

Answer 15

1951 (after 75 years of a ban)

Question 16

What was the purpose of Indian Reserves?

Answer 16

• Assemble Aboriginal people in fixed locations
• Be less mobile
• Be subjects of the Indian Act

Question 17

What was the purpose of residential schools?

Answer 17

• Established by the gov’t and church
• Children “rounded up” and punished for their traditional beliefs
• Deculturation: presented the belief that Aboriginal culture was not worth preserving

Question 18

What was the health implication of original treaties?

Answer 18

• Reference to medical services were omitted
• No longer had knowledge of traditional healing, had to rely on Western medicine
• Aboriginals exposed to new diseases, but were deprived of their own native medical services
• Led to creation of outpost medical stations and “Indian hospitals” (isolate and segregate individuals with illnesses like TB)

Question 19

Discuss aboriginal health today:

Answer 19

• Life expectancy shorter than other non-aboriginal Canadians (5-7 years less)
• Infant mortality rates 1.5 times higher
• More likely to smoke and drink heavily compared to non-Aboriginals
• Approximately half of the aboriginal community rated their overall health as good
• Less access to health care services
• Majority report having good mental health, but suicide rates are 5-7 times higher compared to other non-aboriginal Canadians
• 6/10 off-reserve First Nations report having at least one diagnosed chronic condition
• TB is 31 times higher for people living on reserves than the rest of the population

Question 20

Describe the social circumstances of Aboriginals in Canada:

Answer 20

• 1 in 4 children live in poverty compared to the national average
• First Nations youth more likely to end up in jail than graduate high school
• Aboriginals account for over 1/4 admissions to sentenced custody
• More likely to report spousal and non-spousal violent crimes
• More likely to experience food insecurity, 3x the proportion of non-aboriginal peoples
• Children receive on average 22% less funding from welfare services
• Approx 600 unresolved cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women

Question 21

What are some barriers to education for aboriginals?

Answer 21

• Almost 1/2 aged 25-65 report post-secondary qualification (compared to almost 2/3 of non-aboriginals same age)
• Hx of being required to give up status to achieve higher education level
• Hx of abuses through residential schools
• Lack of access to quality education d/t geographic, demographic, social and cultural barriers
• Personal barriers (cost, confidence, etc.)

Question 22

Name some educational initiatives for aboriginals:

Answer 22

• Aboriginal educational institutions
• Aboriginal enhancement agreements
• Community initiatives (ex. seventh generation club, backpack picnic)
• Improving performance of students via commitment by educators; inclusion of aboriginal language and culture; and aboriginal communities and school districts

Question 23

What are barriers to healthy living environments aboriginals face?

Answer 23

• Crowded living conditions on reserves
• Homes needing major repairs on reserves compared to the rest of Canada (43% vs. 7%)
• Lack of adequate housing
• Relative homelessness
• Exposure to environmental hazards
• Second hand smoke
• Mold
• Poor water quality
• Outdoor air pollution
• Lack of adequate nutrition

Question 24

Name some living environment initiatives:

Answer 24

• Aboriginal housing management association of BC
• Sustainable community housing
• Drinking water safety programs
• Prenatal nutrition projects

Question 25

What are barriers to employment?

Answer 25

• Higher rate of unemployment
• Median of income approximately $20,000/year compared to $27,600/year for non-aboriginals
• Lack of jobs in small, remote communities
• Lack of transportation
• Lack of necessary work experience
• Discrimination in work force
• Limited opportunities
• Educational barriers influence employment

Question 26

Name some employment initiatives:

Answer 26

• Understanding First Nations communities
• Understanding land, water, resources
• Community planning
• Aboriginal youth internship program

Question 27

What are the aboriginal five outcomes of healing?

Answer 27

1) BALANCE: mental, physical, emotional, spiritual
2) BELONGING: maintaining connection with family, community, culture, etc.
3) CLEANSING: identify, express emotions in positive ways
4) EMPOWERMENT: attain and maintain mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health
5) DISCIPLINE: following traditional teachings that allow one to take responsibility for his/her actions

Question 28

What was the purpose of Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1991)?

Answer 28

Shed light on historical issues

Question 29

What was the purpose of gathering strength (1998)?

Answer 29

Plan for reconciliation and renewal

Question 30

What was the purpose of transformative change accord (2005)?

Answer 30

Plan for reducing gaps in socioeconomic status

Question 31

What was the purpose of the aboriginal health plan (2006)?

Answer 31

Support aboriginal health and wellness

Question 32

What was the purpose of the truth and reconciliation commission (2008)?

Answer 32

Uncover the truth about effect of residential schools and harm done to aboriginal people

Question 33

What is cultural safety? **exam

Answer 33

• The recognition of the social, economic and political positions of certain groups within society
• Fostering an understanding of the relationship between minority status and health status
• Requires the health care provider to recognize their own culture and attitudes that they may be bringing to a health care relationship

Question 34

How does the community regain control? **exam

Answer 34

• Social: 56% of BC’s Aboriginal population have assumed some level of responsibility for child and family services
• Cultural: 58% of BC’s Aboriginal population are taking more responsibility for community health services and regaining control over culturally relevant programs
• Political: 65% of BC’s registered Aboriginal population are engaged in treaty negotiations (i.e. land ownership and self governance)

Question 35

What are treaty benefits? ** (important for exam)

Answer 35

• Reconciliation: reconcile interests of Aboriginal, Canada and BC in a formal way
• Economic development: ownership over land and resources, provide opportunities for investments, job creation
• Protection of Aboriginal culture: economic stability enables Aboriginal people to better protect and develop their unique culture
• Equality: better self-reliance to close the social and economic gaps seen between Aboriginal and the rest of Canada

Question 36

Describe health care providers as they relate to aboriginals: ** exam

Answer 36

• Aboriginal patient liaisons (APL’s) for acute and community care
• Aboriginal RN’s and NP’s
• First Nations support workers and allied health care
• Dental care (specific)
• Education (ex. FAS workshops, tobacco reduction)