Glen Tong

Who are Canada’s indigenous people?

-Referred to also as First nations, aboriginals and in the north of Canada, Inuit's.-In U.S.A referred to as Native Americans as well-Colloquially: Indian, Red man, Red Indian. -They were the people present in Canada before the arrival of Europeans.

What are some of the problems?A report done by stats Canada for year 2000 showed that, compared to the rest of Canada -Life expectancy of native males was 7.4 years less and for females 5.2 years less.-Birth rate is double and one in five involve teenage mother-Circulatory disease and injury account for half of mortality -Natives 1 – 44 injury and poising common cause of death, above 45 circulatory disease-Elevated rates of

-Pertussis 2x-Rubella 7x-Tuberculosis 6x-Shigellosis 2x-Chlamydia 7x-Heart Disease 1.5x-Type 2 diabetes 3-5 x

-Alcoholism

When did it all start? -Arrival of Europeans caused many health issues with First nations people

-Introduction of alcohol (firewater)-Introduction of common European diseases -Forcing of aboriginals onto reserves

-Some of these actions in the past have had lasting effects that are present today.

Alcohol Effects, then and now. Historically-The effect of alcohol historically caused break down of social structure-As young native men were the ones most likely to partake. This was a problem as they were the main providers for the community.-Also caused social breakdown through alcohol induced violence

Effect Now -Alcoholism has been behaviorally carried down through many generations, exacerbated by the lack of education-FAS (Fetal alcohol syndrome) in aboriginal communities is much higher than the national average.-Alcohol related deaths 187 per year

-4x the normal rate -2/3 male

What they caught from the Europeans-Isolation of first nations people made them very susceptible to common European diseases -Diseases such as Chicken pox, measles and small pox were deadly to First nations-Caused epidemics that destroyed 1/3 to 3/4 of some villages -Caused social break down as well as the continued health effects.

Result of Displacing the first nations-By moving First Nations people on to fixed reserves much of their culture was taken away.-Cause continual alcoholism.-Drug abuse.-Lack of education towards health issues

-Nutrition – circulatory problems-Contraception-Venereal disease -Teen pregnancy.

What has been done?-Programs and support groups for alcoholism-Incentives for higher education (no fees, allowance)-Specialized health promotion and services-Tax exemptions -Government funding

Why is this still a problem? -Much of the substance and alcohol abuse as well injury caused by lost sense of culture.- Many stay on reserves to preserve what culture is left-Problems on reserves

-Educational attainment rates lower on all indicators, secondary, postsecondary and university degrees-55.8% of homes are considered adequate for living-15.7% require major repairs-5.3% not-inhabitable-Behaviorally learned alcohol abuse-Violence

-Difficult to provide social programs for isolated reserves-Continued lower socio-economic status

Referenceshttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/famil/preg-gros/intro-eng.php

http://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca/documents/FNIHB%20Alcohol%20Factsheet.pdf

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/index-eng.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Nations

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/start-debut-eng.html

http://www.naho.ca/english/index.php

http://www.gov.mb.ca/ana/apm2000/1/n.html

Photos from google search