Indigenous Peoples In Canada Research Articles

Reconciled futures: An art camp for Indigenous youth

The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) identifies reconciliation as one of the four pillars that guide its work. Reconciliation has become a matter of national significance in Canada since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Report in 2008, which highlights the harmful legacies of residential schools on the daily lives of Indigenous Canadians. It also demonstrated that social inequalities continue to persist across the nation because of this, and other assimilationist policies previously adopted under Canada’s Indian Act. Recommendations of the report were aimed at improving Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations and removing barriers, both intentional and unconscious, that prevent Indigenous Canadians from accessing the same opportunities and services as other Canadians. It can take many years to implement institutional change, but public programming offers an opportunity to demonstrate intentions for change with more immediacy. This paper provides an overview of an art program created for Indigenous youth in the Greater Vancouver area by Indigenous professionals working in a museum setting. The initiative was funded through a creative partnership between the MOV and the City of Vancouver’s Green Infrastructure team and resulted in the creation of public art that was installed in a Green Infrastructure demonstration project within the city.

Housing and respiratory health among Indigenous peoples in Canada

Indigenous (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) peoples bear a disproportionate burden of infectious and noninfectious respiratory disease in rural and urban communities in Canada. Biologic and behavioral determinants exist and have relevance, but the primary determinants are socioeconomic, environmental and political. Although Canada has recently declared a national housing crisis, crowded and poor-quality housing, or no housing at all, has been experienced by generations of Indigenous peoples. Crowding in homes or shelters increases risk of exposure and dose to infectious agents. Indoor air pollutants are due to housing defects, sources of heat and smoke, and include mold, endotoxin, mite allergens, gases and particulate matter, which in turn are associated with respiratory irritation and disease. Environmental radon is a noted risk factor for lung cancer in communities located in high risk regions. Studies have demonstrated that interventions in Indigenous communities on both the social and biomedical fronts, to improve housing and health care, result in improved well-being, of which respiratory health is only one component.

The influence of Survivor stories and a virtual reality representation of a residential school on reconciliation in Canada

Indigenous Peoples in Canada have endured many genocidal efforts, such as residential schools. Across the country, initiatives to promote critical historical education about residential schools are underway, ranging in duration, content, and immersion. In this study, we tested whether a promising high-immersion approach, a virtual reality residential school, could improve non-Indigenous participants' attitudes and feelings toward Indigenous people. We compared the effects of the virtual residential school to a transcript condition, in which participants read the transcripts of the narration that accompanied the virtual residential school, and an empty control condition. The study had three time points: Baseline (N = 241), intervention (N = 241), and follow-up (N = 132). Immediately following the intervention, what participants learned about the residential school, both through virtual reality and reading the transcripts, increased non-Indigenous participants' empathy, political solidarity, and outgroup warmth for Indigenous people, relative to the control. The virtual reality school, but not transcripts, also increased privity relative to the control. These effects decreased over time. In summary, though both written and virtual reality forms of critical historical education were effective in the short term, to maintain the long-term effects of critical historical education, ongoing or recurring education is likely necessary. These results extend the virtual reality literature to unstudied concepts (political solidarity, privity) and critical historical education literature to a new form of media (virtual reality). We discuss the findings in relation to literature on critical historical education and virtual reality as well as outline future directions.

A comprehensive exploration of chronic kidney disease and dialysis in Canada's Indigenous population: from epidemiology to genetic influences.

This study aims to review the escalating prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among Canada's Indigenous population, focusing on risk factors, hospitalization and mortality rates, and disparities in kidney transplantation. The study explores how these factors contribute to the health outcomes of this population and examines the influence of genetic variations on CKD progression. The review synthesizes data on prevalence rates, hospitalization and mortality statistics, and transplantation disparities among Indigenous individuals. It also delves into the complexities of healthcare access, including geographical, socioeconomic, and psychological barriers. Additionally, the manuscript investigates the impact of racial factors on blood characteristics relevant to dialysis treatment and the genetic predispositions influencing disease progression in Indigenous populations. Indigenous individuals exhibit a higher prevalence of CKD and ESRD risk factors such as diabetes and obesity, particularly in regions like Saskatchewan. These patients face a 77% higher risk of death compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts and are less likely to receive kidney transplants. Genetic analyses reveal significant associations between CKD and specific genomic variations. Through analyses, we found that healthy Indigenous individuals may have higher levels of circulating inflammatory markers, which could become further elevated for those with CKD. In particular, they may have higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) fibrinogen, as well as genomic variations that affect IL-6 production and the function of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) which has critical potential influence on the compatibility with dialysis membranes contributing to complications in dialysis. Indigenous people in Canada are disproportionately burdened by CKD and ESRD due to socioeconomic factors and potential genetic predispositions. While significant efforts have been made to assess the socioeconomic conditions of the Indigenous population, the genetic factors and their potential critical influence on compatibility with dialysis membranes, contributing to treatment complications, remain understudied. Further investigation into these genetic predispositions is essential.

Reconcili-Action Begins With Education: Graduate Nursing Students’ Perspectives of an Experiential Exercise About the History of Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Reconcili-Action Begins With Education: Graduate Nursing Students’ Perspectives of an Experiential Exercise About the History of Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Funding the pandemic response for Indigenous Peoples: an equity-based analysis of COVID-19 using a Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) Indigenous lens tool

ABSTRACT This study examines the allocation of COVID-19 funding for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States during the pandemic’s first wave. Indigenous communities, already facing health disparities, systemic discrimination, and historical forces of colonisation, found themselves further vulnerable to the virus. Analysing the funding policies of these countries, we employed a Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) tool and an Indigenous Lens Tool supplement to evaluate potential impacts. Our results identify three major funding equity issues: unique health and service needs, socioeconomic disparities, and limited access to community and culturally safe health services. Despite efforts for equitable funding, a lack of meaningful consultation led to shortcomings, as seen in Canada’s state of emergency declaration and legal disputes in the United States. New Zealand stood out for integrating Māori perspectives, showcasing the importance of consultation. The study calls for a reconciliation-minded path, aligning with Truth and Reconciliation principles, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and evolving government support. The paper concludes that co-creating equitable funding policies grounded in Indigenous knowledge requires partnership, meaningful consultation, and organisational cultural humility. Even in emergencies, these measures ensure responsiveness and respect for Indigenous self-determination.

To Carry Pain, to Heal through Ceremony: Indigenous Women’s Standpoint in Indigenous Australian and Canadian Literatures

To Carry Pain, to Heal through Ceremony: Indigenous Women’s Standpoint in Indigenous Australian and Canadian Literatures

Exploring Economic Development Strategies for Canadian Indigenous Communities Post-Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted the Indigenous Canadian economy. Indigenous enterprises exist in every industry, from small proprietorships to major organizations employing thousands of people. The research concerning the effects of such peculiarities on Indigenous corporations is sparse. This research aimed to examine how the pandemic affected development companies by comparing pre-epidemic forecasts to the trajectory of Indigenous-owned firms after two years of the pandemic and analyzing its singularities. The study was conducted by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and supported by mixed methods techniques such as surveys, interviews, and non-participatory observations obtained from ten distinct Canadian Indigenous Economic Development Corporations, revealing a reality in which Indigenous businesses confront significant challenges in terms of access to public finance, human resources, community well-being, company diversification, and innovation. The result compared pre-pandemic forecasts and analyses that found Indigenous enterprises failing to recover and move ahead on company diversification and innovations, public finance, human resources, and sustainable development.

Towards abundant intelligences: Considerations for Indigenous perspectives in adopting artificial intelligence technology.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare are evolving rapidly. The integration of AI into the Canadian healthcare system has demonstrated significant potential for enhancing the efficiency of care and improving patient outcomes. However, as this transformative technology continues to advance, it is crucial to take into account the unique perspectives and requirements of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This article delves into the political, ethical, and practical considerations associated with introducing AI into Indigenous healthcare, emphasizing the paramount importance of equity and inclusion, which are rooted in the Two-Eyed AI framework. It also underscores the significance of co-creating AI technology in collaboration with Indigenous communities and multidisciplinary development teams. To illustrate these principles, this article spotlights an international AI epistemology-focused working group example. Healthcare professionals who engage with AI, whether it be through research, management, development, or leadership are implicated with this contemporary paradigm shift in decolonizing novel AI technology.

Transform[ing] heart failure professionals with Indigenous land-based cultural safety in Ontario, Canada.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, with disproportionate impacts on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. In Spring 2022, a land-based learning program was piloted and evaluated as an Indigenous cultural safety training for professionals at a cardiac care centre and university in a large urban city. Baseline and endline surveys showed an increase in knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, and practices; increased reflection on positionality and intention to create change; and strengthened relationships with the land. Future work should explore the long-term effects of land-based cultural safety training on participant behaviours, and health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.

Exploring medical students’ experiences with indigenous patient care: a phenomenological study

ABSTRACT Background Indigenous Peoples in Canada bear a disproportionate burden of disease and experience poorer health outcomes as compared to non-Indigenous populations within Canada; these conditions are said to be mediated and exacerbated by pervasive and uninterrupted anti-Indigenous racism. Third and fourth-year medical students at a Canadian medical school were asked to reflect on their experiences working with Indigenous patients in clinical settings, and how their preclinical Indigenous health curriculum impacted these experiences. Method Phenomenology was used, guided by Goffman’s theory of social stigma. Eleven undergraduate medical students were recruited using purposeful sampling. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of the participants’ experiences. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using the four main processes for phenomenological analysis. Results Four main themes emerged from students’ descriptions of clinical experiences involving Indigenous patients: 1) students describe how their Indigenous patients encounter the health care system and their own lack of cultural sensitivity in this context; 2) racism was evident in students’ clinical interactions with Indigenous patients, but students do not always perceive these biases nor the impact of this on patient care; 3) identifying the impact of racism on care is complicated by situational clinical encounters; and 4) practicality of preclinical Indigenous health education is desired by students to prepare them for working with Indigenous patients in the clinical setting. Conclusions In their clinical experiences, students witness racism against Indigenous peoples yet are unprepared to stand up against it. Findings highlight the importance of enhancing undergraduate medical training to allow students to better understand the unique experiences and perspectives of Indigenous patients. The results support the need for ongoing Indigenous health education, to foster culturally sensitive experiences while learning about Indigenous patients.

Advancing health equity for Indigenous peoples in Canada: development of a patient complexity assessment framework.

Indigenous patients often present with complex health needs in clinical settings due to factors rooted in a legacy of colonization. Healthcare systems and providers are not equipped to identify the underlying causes nor enact solutions for this complexity. This study aimed to develop an Indigenous-centered patient complexity assessment framework for urban Indigenous patients in Canada. A multi-phased approach was used which was initiated with a review of literature surrounding complexity, followed by interviews with Indigenous patients to embed their lived experiences of complexity, and concluded with a modified e-Delphi consensus building process with a panel of 14 healthcare experts within the field of Indigenous health to identify the domains and concepts contributing to health complexity for inclusion in an Indigenous-centered patient complexity assessment framework. This study details the final phase of the research. A total of 27 concepts spanning 9 domains, including those from biological, social, health literacy, psychological, functioning, healthcare access, adverse life experiences, resilience and culture, and healthcare violence domains were included in the final version of the Indigenous-centered patient complexity assessment framework. The proposed framework outlines critical components that indicate the presence of health complexity among Indigenous patients. The framework serves as a source of reference for healthcare providers to inform their delivery of care with Indigenous patients. This framework will advance scholarship in patient complexity assessment tools through the addition of domains not commonly seen, as well as extending the application of these tools to potentially mitigate racism experienced by underserved populations such as Indigenous peoples.

Exploring practices, challenges, and priorities for human health and ecological risk assessments in Indigenous communities in Canada.

Indigenous peoples in Canada are disproportionately exposed to environmental contaminants and may face elevated health risks related to their unique cultural, spiritual, and economic relationships with the land, including the use of traditional food systems. However, to date, institutionalized approaches to assess risks to human and ecological health from contaminants have not been well developed or implemented with Indigenous community contexts in mind. There is regulatory interest in developing new approach methods for risk assessment, and thus an opportunity to increase their relevance to Indigenous communities in which they will be ultimately applied. Therefore, we conducted an anonymous mixed-methods survey of those involved with risk assessment in Indigenous communities in Canada to: (1) understand risk assessment practice in Indigenous communities, (2) explore challenges with conventional assessment methods and compare these across sectors, and (3) gather perspectives on the development of new approaches. In all, 38 completed survey responses were received (14% response rate). Respondents were from Indigenous community environment and health offices (21% of respondents), Indigenous governments (8%), federal and provincial governments (21%), and academia (45%). Risk communication was seen as the most challenging part of risk assessment (71% responded "difficult"), and nearly all respondents agreed that time (86%), cost (76%), and resource availability (86%) were "moderate" to "serious" problems. Few respondents (16%) had heard of "new approach methods" for risk assessment, and 76% of respondents (and 100% of community-based respondents) agreed on the need to develop improved risk assessment approaches. To modernize risk assessment, respondents recommended advancing cumulative risk assessment methods, improving risk communication, and promoting Indigenous leadership and Traditional Knowledge in assessment activities. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1677-1692. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Programs supporting incarcerated and previously incarcerated indigenous peoples: a scoping review protocol

ABSTRACT The overincarceration of Indigenous peoples and its impacts on individual and community health is a growing concern across Canada and the United States. Federally run Healing Lodges in Canada are an example of support services for incarcerated and previously incarcerated Indigenous peoples to reintegrate into community and support their healing journey. However, there is a need to synthesise research which investigates these programmes. We report a protocol for a scoping review that is guided by the following research question: What is known about culturally informed programmes and services available to incarcerated and previously incarcerated Indigenous peoples in Canada and the US? This scoping review will follow guidelines published by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. This review will only identify programmes that are guided by Indigenous ways of being and knowing in order to best serve Indigenous communities and our community partners. The results of this review will support the development of programmes that are necessary for understanding and addressing the diverse needs of incarcerated and previously incarcerated Indigenous peoples.

Barriers and Facilitators Associated with the History of Colonization on the Vaccination Process of COVID-19 among Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Barriers and Facilitators Associated with the History of Colonization on the Vaccination Process of COVID-19 among Indigenous Peoples in Canada

You Belong to Everyone

Indigenous peoples in Canada have suffered from ongoing impacts of colonization. The topic of Indigenous health is wholistic and intricate, spanning from individual to kin, to land, economy, socialization, and all things. Such intricacies have been impacted by colonial systems wherein many have left their traditional land bases and communities to pursue other opportunities or to flee circumstance on their home territories. This paper uses Indigenous methodologies to collect qualitative data on the experiences for some First Nations peoples connected to the Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre, on Vancouver Island when relocating off-reserve. Elders were selected as the sample based on the traditional perspective of knowledge and wisdom. As a result, six common themes from experiences were connection, way of living, education and employment, colonialism, land, and quality of health care. Further, axial coding found four action-based themes to be applied from the research. Racism, relevance, restrictions, and resources created the ‘Four R’s’ as recommendations for larger health systems in British Columbia.

Hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence in citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global concern, with Indigenous Peoples bearing the highest burden. Previous studies exploring HCV prevalence within Indigenous populations have predominantly used a pan-Indigenous approach, consequently resulting in limited availability of Métis-specific HCV data. The Métis are one of the three recognized groups of Indigenous Peoples in Canada with a distinct history and language. The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is the only recognized Métis government in Ontario. This study aims to examine the prevalence of self-reported HCV testing and positive results among citizens of the MNO, as well as to explore the association between sociodemographic variables and HCV testing and positive results.MethodsA population-based online survey was implemented by the MNO using their citizenship registry between May 6 and June 13, 2022. The survey included questions about hepatitis C testing and results, socio-demographics, and other health related outcomes. Census sampling was used, and 3,206 MNO citizens responded to the hepatitis C-related questions. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used to analyze the survey data.ResultsAmong the respondents, 827 (25.8%, CI: 24.3–27.3) reported having undergone HCV testing and 58 indicated testing positive, resulting in a prevalence of 1.8% (CI: 1.3–2.3). Respondents with a strong sense of community belonging, higher education levels, and lower household income were more likely to report having undergone HCV testing. Among those who had undergone testing, older age groups, individuals with lower education levels, and retired individuals were more likely to test positive for HCV.ConclusionThis study is the first Métis-led and Métis-specific study to report on HCV prevalence among Métis citizens. This research contributes to the knowledge base for Métis health and will support the MNO’s health promotion program and resources for HCV. Future research will examine the actual HCV incidence and prevalence among MNO citizens.

Moving on from the Consultation Model to the Consent Model in Canada

The legal duty to consult in Canada is changing, as, despite this duty, Indigenous Peoples feel their ability to protect their resources in decision-making processes remains constrained. Currently, Indigenous Peoples are considered equivalent stakeholders when rather, they are self-determining Nations. Serious negative consequences result when meaningful consultation is not practiced. The consent model can aid in achieving reconciliation as a country, but challenges must be overcome. This paper discusses the differences between consultation and consent as understood from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the findings of a small-scale literature review, and personal communications with subject matter experts. It presents the impacts that the legal duty to consult has on Indigenous Peoples in Canada and advocates for the consent model. Developing the consultation skills of engineering students will improve future outcomes for Indigenous communities and the engineering profession; therefore, this topic is important for engineering educators.

Perceived Access to Healthcare of Indigenous Peoples in Canada With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their First-Degree Relatives.

There are complex and interrelated factors that lead to inequitable healthcare delivery in Canada. Many of the factors that underlie these inequities for Canada's geographically dispersed Indigenous peoples remain underexamined. A cohort of 831 First Nations (FN) individuals from urban and remote communities were recruited into a longitudinal study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk from 2005 to 2017. Data from each participant's initial enrollment visit were assessed using a survey that captured concerns with healthcare access. We found that remote participants with RA reported poor access compared to remote first-degree relatives (FDRs; P < 0.001); this difference was not observed for urban participants with RA. We observed substantial differences based on sex; female participants perceived access to care to be more difficult than male participants in both urban and remote cohorts (P < 0.001). We also observed that male participants with RA reported poor access to care compared to male FDRs. Importantly, access to care in remote communities appeared to improve over the duration of the study (P = 0.01). In a logistic regression analysis, female sex, remote location, and older age were independent predictors of poor access to care. Predictors of poor access in participants with RA also included female sex, remote location, and older age. FN peoples living in remote communities, particularly those with an established RA diagnosis, report more problems accessing health care. Sex-based inequities exist, with FN female individuals reporting greater difficulties in accessing appropriate health care, regardless of RA diagnosis. Addressing these sex-based inequities should be a high priority for improving healthcare delivery.

Decolonizing Indigenous Drinking Water Challenges and Implications: Focusing on Indigenous Water Governance and Sovereignty

Indigenous Peoples in Canada have shown great strength and resilience in maintaining their cultures and ways of life to date in the face of settler colonialism. Centering the Water crises within Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, we explore the impacts these crises have on community members. Particularly, the continuous failure of the Canadian government to end the Water crises in remote Indigenous communities, Star Blanket Cree Nation, is investigated in this paper. What implications have these Water governance gaps had on Indigenous Peoples’ sovereignty and self-determination? We adopted an Indigenist theoretical framework to guide the study. Additionally, a community-based participatory research approach was adopted. To achieve our research goals of investigating the implications of the current Water crises for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, specific methods of sharing circles were used to gather knowledge from community members, Elders, and knowledge keepers. The research findings strongly highlight the strength and resilience shown by remote Indigenous communities in the face of the current Water crises and continuous government failure. Solving the current Water crises will involve remote Indigenous communities taking charge of their own Water governance through Indigenous-led Water governance systems. Additionally, taking steps to rebuild trust through genuine reconciliation will be key. Therefore, listening to remote Indigenous communities and taking collaborative action are fundamental.