Introduction to Indigeneity in the Health Context

Question 1

What are the different definitions of Indigenous?

Answer 1

• People inhabiting or existing in land for the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists (Oxford dictionary)
• UN understanding of the term: self-identification, historical contunuity; strong link to land and natural resources; distinct language; culture and beliefs; non-dominant groups of society.
• Indigenous peoples that have been adversely effected by colonisation
  
  • privileged some groups by taking away from others
  • negative connotations and some people may choose not to reveal their origin

Question 2

Describe health in relation to UNDRIP (United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples)

Answer 2

• The rights of indigenous peoples to the dull enjoyment of human rights, non-discrimination, self-determination and autonomy, maintanance of indigenous institutions, and the right to a nationality.
  Article 23: they get to decide what being healthy means to them and have services to provide this
  Article 24: they have equal rights to the highest attainable standards of health

Question 3

Describe health in relation to the Treaty of Waitangi

Answer 3

• Tino rangatiratanga: the garantee of providing Māori self determination and mana motuhake in the design, delivery and monitoring of health
• Equity: committing to trying to achieve this
• Active protection: requires the crown to act to achieve equitable health outcomes for māori
• Options: requires to crown to provide for and properly resource kaupapa māori health and disability services and that these are provided for in a culturally appropriate way
• Partnership: requires both groups to work in partnership to achieve these health outcomes.