Additional context
Reporting on inequalities in social determinants of health and health outcomes often follows a deficit-based approach by drawing attention to the relative disadvantages faced by specific groups in relation to others. As a result, unless properly contextualized and discussed, data on inequalities can emphasize deficits rather than strengths, stigmatize groups in vulnerable situations, reinforce power imbalances, and shift the focus away from the structural factors that underlie disparities. This is particularly the case for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, who experience inequities in many of the domains covered by the Pan-Canadian Health Inequalities Reporting Initiative.
While there are commonalities in terms of how colonialism has, and continues to affect First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, their encounters with colonial structures and subsequent impacts are distinct. Nonetheless, federal colonial policies imposed on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have been widely recognized as key determinants of health, and include policies such as: forced displacement from traditional lands to remote, resource-depleted lands; oppressive legislation like the Indian Act that curtailed autonomy and cultural practices; the damaging legacy of residential schools, day schools, and the Sixties Scoop, which sought to erode Indigenous cultures and languages; and structural discrimination across social, criminal justice, health care, and employment environments. These policies have fractured and dislocated communities, leading to cultural dispossession and loss of self-determination, causing deep trauma that continues to be passed down through generations.
Despite these challenges, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities show strength, resilience, and perseverance in preserving cultural heritage, fostering community solidarity, and advocating for rights and self-determination. A profound connection to the land endures, fostering a deep understanding of the environment. These communities’ holistic worldviews emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Rich cultural traditions, encompassing unique languages, art forms, and storytelling, continue to be vibrant expressions of identities.
Addressing the health and social inequities experienced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis requires acknowledging the historical roots of these inequities and understanding the unique experiences of each group. It involves collaborative efforts to improve social determinants of health, providing culturally safe healthcare, supporting communities in their paths towards self-determination, and upholding, implementing and ensuring inherent rights as outlined in national and international instruments such as section 35 of the Constitution Act, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is crucial for the reconciliation process and for ensuring equitable health outcomes for all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada. The path forward must be paved with respect, understanding, and a commitment to rectifying the injustices of the past.
For additional information, please consult the following links:
This section was drafted following discussions with the First Peoples Wellness Circle, who provided valuable guidance, review, and feedback, for which we are grateful.
