Indigenous Health Essay

The Indigenous population in Canada has been subjected to persistent inequalities for generations, stemming from a multitude of contributing factors. In the realm of healthcare, Indigenous communities in Canada face persistent barriers to accessing health services, which exacerbates the already prevalent health issues among this population. This disparity is attributed to a shortage of government funding for Indigenous healthcare, historical injustices, and the persistent boil water advisories in numerous communities. It is imperative that the Canadian healthcare system and government take action to address these disparities, with the expansion of resources being a crucial step towards achieving healthcare equity for Indigenous peoples in

Indigenous practices are not favored in Canada and the prohibition of spiritual methodologies during the residential school era has exaggerated this issue. Western healthcare practices do not typically involve any traditional indigenous practices which make it difficult for the practices to be as beneficial for indigenous peoples. Their cultural practices and spiritual traditions were a large part in maintaining peace with themselves and the world, but these practices were deemed illegal after the Indian act was passed, and 100 years later the effects of this act are still damaging the mental health of indigenous Canadians. Colonization has been very dehumanizing for indigenous people as it stripped them of their culture and practices. “Decolonization should go hand in hand with a process of “indigenizing” medical education, creating a space where Indigenous knowledge and ways of coexisting with Western worldviews” (Jones., et al, 2019), stating that it is of great importance to acknowledge the indigenous ways of medicine in order to compensate the needs of the population. In order for indigenous people to be in control of their own health, these practices have to become more relevant and integrated into Canada's healthcare practices in a respectful, nonjudgmental way, which has impacted the Canadian healthcare system as new training measurements have been put in place to meet the needs of Canada's indigenous population. Healthcare providers now have to undergo unique, cultural-specific protocols and training measurements as well as receive historical background information to best understand their patients and provide care in a culturally safe and inclusive way. Despite these efforts, there is still much work to be done to address health inequities in Indigenous communities. One of the main challenges facing the healthcare system is the ongoing legacy of