Indigenous people 'worst-off world over'
 Indigenous people are much worse off even in developing nations |
The health of indigenous people worldwide is much worse than that of other communities, even the poorest communities in the countries where they live. This is among the findings of a major investigation launched by the medical journal The Lancet into indigenous communities.
The relatively poor health of aboriginal people in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand has been well-documented.
But this study finds that indigenous communities are much worse off than other poor people in Asia, Latin America and Africa as well.
Looking at infant mortality among the Nanti tribe in Peru, the Xavante in Brazil, the Kuttiya Kandhs of India and the Pygmy peoples of Uganda, researchers found much worse figures than in the "host" communities.
And the gap between these indigenous communities and the wider community was even greater than between the two groups in countries like the US and Australia.
Caste distinctions
In India for example, 25% of the population live below the poverty line, but among so-called "Scheduled Tribes" the figure rises to 45%.
 |  Colonialism [created] an image of indigenous peoples as primitive, backward and deliberately obstructive to modernity  |
The concept of "indigenous" is a complex one, particularly in India and Africa.
The Indian government acknowledges the existence of "tribals", or "adivasis", adhering to pre-Hindu animist faiths.
It is among these "tribals" that India's biggest current security concern, the Maoist Naxalites, recruit and operate.
Lancet researchers record even more difficulty in defining indigenous people in Africa, blaming colonial persecution - inherited by other dominant groups since the end of Empire - for the poor health of some marginalised communities who live outside the mainstream.
Colonial blame
Colonialism began the decline in health for indigenous peoples by introducing unknown diseases, and displacing them from their ancestral lands.
"Colonialism impacted as profoundly in a conceptual sense - creating an image of indigenous peoples as primitive, backward and deliberately obstructive to modernity," says the study.
Many of the indigenous people surveyed shared a sense of the loss or pollution of tribal lands, as mining, and other industries came in.
Unemployment, alcoholism, and drug dependency came along with their proximity to "civilisation". Homicide is a much more common cause of death among Australian aboriginal women than among the general population.
UN goals 'divert attention'
The biggest concern of the Lancet researchers, led by Dr Carolyn Stephens from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is that the health of indigenous people does not register on world statistics at all.
The current priority in development funding is to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), targets set during the UN Summit in 2000. But the report says: "The MDGs could be achieved even if indigenous peoples disappear from our world."
Dr Stephens says the focus of the MDGs on "headline-capturing big numbers has an [negative] impact on indigenous peoples - both in terms of their international visibility, and in fund allocation".
Rich heritage
The cultural traditions and knowledge of herbal medicine of indigenous people predate the collective knowledge of globalisation, and the Lancet researchers believe that we could lose much if these people are allowed to die.
"Globally, indigenous peoples represent a demographic minority and they are amongst the world's most disenfranchised peoples," says the study.
"Despite this, they have lived in and protected our most precious ecosystems and many of their ideas are vital to the survival of the ecosystem on which we ultimately all depend."
The authors quote approvingly the words of Mexican poet Octavio Paz: "The ideal of a single civilisation for everyone implicit in the cult of progress and technique, impoverishes and mutilates us. Every view of the world that becomes extinct, every culture that disappears, diminishes a possibility of life."
Mark M. Persaud, LL.B., LL.M.
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian International Peace Project
1027 Finch Avenue West
P.O. Box 30088
Toronto, Ontario
M3J 3L6
Canada
The Canadian International Peace Project ( CIPP) is a novel and unique non-partisan organisation that has brought together diverse groups and individuals to work on issues and projects relating to local, national and international peace, security and development . Through partnership on events and projects, the CIPP fosters mutual respect and sustainable relationships among diverse groups including those in conflict with each other.
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Main objectives of the United Nations' 2nd International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 2005–15
To promote non-discrimination and inclusion of Indigenous peoples at all levels of society, especially regarding laws, resources, policies, and programmes.
To promote full and effective participation of Indigenous peoples in decisions that affect their lives and lands.
To redefine development policies to include a vision of equity for Indigenous peoples, respecting their cultural and linguistic diversity.
To adopt targeted policies, programmes, and budgets for Indigenous peoples, with a particular emphasis on women, children, and youth.
To develop strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to meet these objectives.
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AFN Press Release - May 11, 2006
AFN National Chief Says Drug Spending in Canada Report Confirms Discrimination of First Nations
Yesterdays’ Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) report on drug spending in Canada confirms that First Nations receive the least amount of health funding per person.
“We are among the poorest of the poor in Canada, which includes having the poorest health status. Health Canada has acknowledged this for many years.” said National Chief Phil Fontaine. “The average per person drug spending for First Nations is $419 compared to an average of $770 per Canadian, a difference of $350. This is simply unacceptable.
“This situation will only continue to get much worse since there is a projected $2 billion deficit over the next five years on health spending for First Nations,” commented the National Chief. “Our people suffer from poor health as a direct result of living in poverty. And yet the government continues to cut corners with our health services.”
In 2004-5, the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada, spent approximately $320.6 million on drug benefits, which averages out to $419 per person for the total population of 765,000 First Nations and Inuit. By contrast, the drug spending for Canada’s 133,000 veterans is approximately $843 per person; the 67,000 members of the Department of National Defence receive $3,519 per person; for the 21,255 inmates in federal prisons, it is $6,492 per person.
“The NIHB Program has many barriers and restrictions for First Nations accessing the drug plan. Most drugs on the NIHB Benefit list are cheaper generics, while the more expensive drugs or therapies are often listed as limited use, or may require prior approvals,” noted the National Chief. “Health Canada’s mandate is to increase the health status of First Nations. Why then is the government openly restricting access to benefits? With a 3% cap on the NIHB funding envelope, as opposed to a 6 per escalator for the rest of Canadians, First Nations will continue to suffer unnecessarily.”
The AFN released a First Nations Action Plan on NIHB in April, 2005 that sets out recommendations for addressing the current discrimination.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts:
Bryan Hendry, AFN Health and Social Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext. 229 or cell 613-293-6106
Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 320 or cell 613-292-2787
Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 336 or cell 613-859-4335
