Racism and Healthcare for Indigenous People

I have seen racism towards the Aboriginal population locally and provincially which at the time is bothersome. I do what I can as a healthcare professional to provide the best experience for my patients. But like everything that comes across the social media, those situations are quickly replaced with other things. A local incident in July 2018, involved racial slurs on signage identifying the Secwépemc territory near Kamloops (The Star, 2018).

Witnessing judgmental treatment of Aboriginal patients in the hospital and clinic settings is a common theme. According to Tang and Browne (2008) their research showed the stereotypes placed on Aboriginal people and the subsequent treatment in the healthcare system. Common statements included patients describing blame being placed on them for their situations, and neglect of their health. Symptoms of pain ignored, typically of female patients, being looked upon as being drug users or being intoxicated. Looked up as drug-seeking and a burden on the healthcare system, has led to many problems for this population. Racism ends up as a barrier for treatment, a delay on medical and surgical interventions, and further effects on family members and communities. The system fails the Aboriginal communities in Kamloops and BC.

A study by Simon Fraser University (2018) looked at the impact of racism and treatment form chronic disease in Aboriginal women with respect to HIV/AIDS care. The study found that it was not the Aboriginal ancestry of these women but the environment in which they lived, worked, interacted daily, and sought healthcare treatment that shaped their care and follow-up in the healthcare system.

"There is ever growing evidence regarding the negative effects of racism and discrimination on health outcomes for women, including women living with HIV," says Kaida. "The findings of our study reinforce calls for culturally-competent HIV care for women living with HIV in Canada. Working with Indigenous women living with HIV in the planning and delivery of such care is essential" (SFU, 2018).

Macleans Magazine (2016) published an article on the rising numbers of incarcerated Indigenous people across Canada, and the findings are quite disturbing!

"While admissions of white adults to Canadian prisons declined through the last decade, Indigenous incarceration rates were surging: Up 112 per cent for women. Already, 36 per cent of the women and 25 per cent of men sentenced to provincial and territorial custody in Canada are Indigenous-a group that makes up just four per cent of the national population. Add in federal prisons, and Indigenous inmates account for 22.8 per cent of the total incarcerated population" (Macleans Magazine, 2016).

The Health Authorities in British Columbia have implemented mandatory San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training for all healthcare employees (Phsa, 2018). The training includes a general understanding of the following:

• Understanding the diversity of Aboriginal people in BC;
• A description of the residential schools, colonial policies and Indian hospitals;
• The impact of colonialism on current healthcare issues;
• Understanding if healthcare disparities related to Indigenous People;
• Understanding the significance of healthcare disparities for health car employees;
• Defining self-awareness in cultural competency;
• Understanding the impact of personal biases and assumptions towards Aboriginal people;
• Understanding traditional healing and medicine;
• How to develop strategies to establish meaningful, and culturally sensitive relationships with Aboriginal clients.

"Health officials in British Columbia say 27,000 workers and students have been trained on providing care that takes into account the culture and history of indigenous patients - a program that has been spearheaded in the province and has generated interest from elsewhere in the country" (The Globe and Mail, 2018).

References

CBC News: The National. (2015, February 3). Racism against aboriginal people in health-care system 'pervasive': study. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXr-Cfj3EPM

CTVVI. (2011, November 23). BC Has the Highest Rate of Child Poverty in Canada [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvhrLjTMpFs 

Li, W., & W. (2018, July 3). Anti-Indigenous graffiti near Kamloops is in keeping with a recent escalation of racism in Canada, says academic | The Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2018/07/03/anti-indigenous-graffiti-near-kamloops-is-in-keeping-with-a-recent-escalation-of-racism-in-canada-says-academic.html

Macleans Magazine, & Macdonald, N. (2016, February 8). Canada's prisons are the 'new residential schools' [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/canadas-prisons-are-the-new-residential-schools/

Phsa. (2018). San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training. Retrieved from https://www.phsa.ca/health-professionals/education-development/sanyas-indigenous-cultural-safety-training

The Globe and Mail, British Columbia., & Dyck, D. (2018, May 16). B.C.'s indigenous health care program has trained 27,000, agency says. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bcs-indigenous-health-care-program-has-trained-27000-agency-says/article30534224/

Simon Fraser University. (2018, June 21). Studies track impact of racism on Indigenous health - SFU News - Simon Fraser University. Retrieved from https://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2018/06/researcher-to-study-racism-chronic-disease-among-indigenous-peoples.html

Well Living House Wellesley Institute, Allan, B., & Smylie, J. (2015). First Peoples, Second Class Treatment. The role of racism in the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Summary-First-Peoples-Second-Class-Treatment-Final.pdf