Aboriginal Communities Flashcards
What was the purpose of the 1967 British North American act?
Create a newly formed federal government; Government took responsibility and authority over Aboriginal people, land and resources.
What is colonization?
Extending a government’s power through the migration to settler colonies and the ruling of that colony’s existing people.
What was the purpose of the 1876 Indian Act?
Aboriginals = ward of the state.
When did residential schools become compulsory?
1920
What was the medical impact of the original treaties?
Reference to medical services were omitted from treaties. Aboriginals were exposed to new diseases but were deprived of their own native medical services. Led to creation of outpost medical stations and “Indian Hospitals”.
What was the purpose of the 1991 Royal Commission on Aboriginal People?
To shed light on historical issues.
What was the purpose of Gathering Strength (1998)?
Plan for reconciliation and renewal.
What was the purpose of the Transformative Chance Accord (2005)?
Plan for reducing gaps in socioeconomic status.
What was the purpose of the Aboriginal Health Plan (2006)?
Support aboriginal health and wellness.
What was the purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008)?
Forum for victims to speak out about past abuse.
How are Aboriginals in BC regaining community control socially?
56% of BC’s aboriginal population have assumed some level of responsibility for child and family services.
How are aboriginals in BC regaining community control politically?
65% of BC’s registered aboriginal population are engaged in treaty negotiations I.e. land ownership and self-governance.
How are aboriginals in BC regaining community control culturally?
58% of BC’s aboriginal population are taking on more responsibility for community health services and regaining control over culturally relevant programs
What are some treaty benefits? (4 categories)
● Reconciliation
● Economic Development
● Protection of Aboriginal Culture
● Equality
What are some disparities in health status for Aboriginals in general (compared to non-aboriginals)?
● Life expectancy: 5 years less
Infant mortality: 1.5x higher
● Mortality in first year of life: 4x higher
Preschoolers 5 X higher/ teens 3 X higher
●In 2012, 27% of off-reserve First Nations people over 12 smoked daily, compared to 15% for the non-aboriginal population (Statistics Canada, 2015).
35% of off-reserve First nations people over 12 reported heavy drinking, compared to 23% for non-aboriginals (Statistics Canada, 2015).
● Age distribution: 46% under 24 vs. 29%
● Accidental deaths: 5x higher
1 in 4 children in First Nations communities live in poverty. Nearly double the national average (AFN, 2011).
A First Nation youth is more likely to end up in jail than to graduate high school (AFN, 2011).
In 2011/2012, aboriginal people accounted for over ¼ (28%) of admissions to sentenced custody (Statistics Canada, 2015).
In 2009, 12% of Aboriginal people reported being the victim of at least one non-spousal violent crime, more than double the proportion of non-Aboriginal people (5%) (Statistics Canada, 2015).
In 2009, Aboriginal people (10%) were almost twice as likely as non-aboriginal people (6%) to report having been a victim of spousal violence in the five years preceding the survey (Statistics Canada, 2015).
Among off-reserve First Nations over 12, 22% lived in households that experienced food insecurity, 3x the proportion of non-aboriginal people (7%)
First Nation children, average 22% less funding for child welfare services than other Canadian children (AFN, 2011).
There are almost 600 unresolved cases of missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada (AFN, 2011).
What are some mental health disparities for Aboriginals (compared to non-aboriginal population)?
Majority of off-reserve First Nations people (60%), Metis (64%) and Inuit (53%) over 18 reported excellent or very good mental health. Corresponding percentage for non-aboriginal was 72%. (Statistics Canada, 2015).
Suicide rates among first nation youth are 5-7 times higher than other young non-aboriginal Canadians (AFN, 2011).
What are some health disparities faced by aboriginals regarding chronic conditions (compared to non-aboriginal population)?
6/10 off-reserve First Nations people (60%), Metis (61%) and Inuit (42%) over 12 reported they had been diagnosed with at least one chronic condition. Corresponding percentage for Non-aboriginal was 53% (Statistics Canada, 2015)
Tuberculosis rates among First Nation people living on reserve are 31 times higher than the national average (AFN, 2011).
What are some educational initiatives for Aboriginals?
● Aboriginal Educational Institutions
Wilp Wilxo’oskwhil Niga’a Institute, SFU Kamloops
● Aboriginal Enhancement Agreements
2006 Tripartite Agreement
● Community Initiatives
Backpack Picnic, Seventh Generation Club
● Improving performance of Aboriginal Students
Aboriginal communities and School Districts
Commitment of teachers and administrators
Inclusion of Aboriginal languages and culture
What are some living environment initiatives?
Aboriginal Housing Management Association of BC
Seabird Island Sustainable Community Housing
Drinking Water Safety Programs
Prenatal Nutrition Projects
What are some employment initiatives?
Understanding First Nations Communities Understanding land, water, resources Community planning Aboriginal Youth Internship Program Bladerunners
What is cultural safety?
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.
What does cultural safety require of the health care provider?
Requires the health care provider to recognize their own culture and attitudes that they may be bringing to a health care relationship.
What are the aboriginal Five Outcomes of Healing?
Balance Belonging Cleansing Empowerment Discipline
What is balance (according to the Aboriginal Five Outcomes of Healing)?
Mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.
