INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ EXPERIENCES WITH HEALTH CARE: RACISM, BIAS, ASSIMILATION, ERASURE, AND THE CONTEXT OF CARE
Indigenous Peoples in what is now Canada have a long and rich history of health and wellness, characterized by a wholistic definition of health that emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental dimensions of well-being. Indigenous Peoples’ health and wellness is intertwined with their relationship with the environment, community, ancestors, and future generations. Through processes of colonialism, Indigenous Peoples’ wholistic, relational, approach to health and wellness was intentionally disrupted and replaced by a Western system of health and wellness that inflicted trauma upon families and societies, undermined the self-determination and decision making of individuals and Nations, and systematically devalued their practices, beliefs, and traditions (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], 2015; Turpel-Lafond, 2020a).
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Whether consciously or unconsciously, racial stereotypes continue to shape healthcare providers’ beliefs, decisions, and actions. These lead to poorer quality care for Indigenous Peoples, who face longer wait times and delays in service, less medication, fewer referrals, disrespectful treatment, and even misdiagnosis and preventable death.
A conceptual framework for Indigenous cultural safety measurement
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