Many, if not all, of the videos, we reviewed in Module 5, mentioned the loss of language and culture as a result of colonization. The Canadian government has made efforts to solve issues that they created with little positive results. We often hear people complaining about the amount of money being given to Indigenous groups - but aren't we just repeating history by using Western solutions to 'fix' Indigenous issues? An article written by The National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health discussed culturally- specific solutions for health- related issues.
The article stated that, in general, the "erosion of culture" contributes to poor mental health, physical health, well-being, depression, anxiety and substance abuse issues. Language and culture are at the core of the solution. Indigenous people have had their language suppressed for hundred of years and with that comes all of the negative emotions, feelings of inadequacy, broken family structure, health issues and being under educated. The importance of language is paramount, especially when it comes to how we look at Indigenous health needs. Like we learned about a few weeks ago, combining the Western and Indigenous philosophies is very difficult. In terms of healthcare, Indigenous people may have different perceptions of their illness, symptoms or stigmas. This could result in being untreated, misdiagnosed, and not having their needs met in a Western healthcare system. Regardless of the persistent attempts by the government to suppress Indigenous language and culture, a high percentage of Indigenous people (on and off reserves) showed an interest and participation in cultural and traditional activities. This shows that Indigenous people value culture as a core component to their well-being.
The article mentions several solutions for the government to implement to help Indigenous people reclaim language and cultural supports. These include;
recognition of the Aboriginal Language Act
hire an Aboriginal Language Commissioner
start post- secondary school Indigenous language programs
reclaim Indigenous names
start Indigenous - based ECE programs that teach
Indigenous values and history
start more language nests
train health care professionals to
learn the local Indigenous language
learn local knowledge and healing practices (combined with Western)
implement locally responsive services and culturally- appropriate healthcare policies
follow '3 Pillars of Healing'
reclaiming history
cultural interventions
therapeutic healing
TRC recommendations that reflect these solutions are;
LANGUAGE
13. We call upon the federal government to acknowledge that Aboriginal rights include Aboriginal language rights.
14. iii. The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal-language revitalization and preservation.
iv. The preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities.
15. We call upon the federal government to appoint, in consultation with Aboriginal groups, an Aboriginal Languages Commissioner. The commissioner should help promote Aboriginal languages and report on the adequacy of federal funding of Aboriginal-languages initiatives
16. We call upon post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages.
17. We call upon all levels of government to enable residential school Survivors and their families to reclaim names changed by the residential school system by waiving administrative costs for a period of five years for the name-change process and the revision of official identity documents, such as birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, health cards, status cards, and social insurance numbers.
v. Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages
HEALTH
19. We call upon the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes Calls to Action| 3 between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and to publish annual progress reports and assess longterm trends. Such efforts would focus on indicators such as: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, birth rates, infant and child health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury incidence, and the availability of appropriate health services
22. We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.
23. iii. Provide cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals.
This link has a variety of groups and events that celebrate Indigenous culture in the hopes to increase Indigenous language knowledge, appropriate housing opportunities and strengthen individuals. On organization, not on the list, is Kahwá:tsire Indigenous-Led Child & Family Programs. This program travels to different playgroups and daycare centres to educate our youngest population about Indigenous languages through language, music and food. They teach both Anishinaabemowin and Kenyen’kéha. We have a daycare centre located in our school and I have heard great things about this group.
References
https://www.ccnsa-nccah.ca/docs/determinants/FS-CultureLanguage-SDOH-FNMI-EN.pdf