Racism and it's Effects on lndigenous Health

Racism and it's Effects on Indigenous Health

"Where you are born should not dictate your potential as a human being." ~ Romeo Dallaire

On December 10, 2014, the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative (CUAI) Human Rights and Health Domains presented in recognition of International Human Rights Day, "Racism and it's Effects on Aboriginal Health" at Mount Royal University, Leacock Theatre, Treaty 7 territory with the opening prayer by Doreen Spence. There were wonderful speakers.

I want to focus on Dr. Cheryl Currie's research. From the biography provided by CUAI, she is a AIHS Translational Health Chair and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. Her research explores the upstream determinants of Indigenous health, strength and resilience in Canada. She works in partnership with urban and rural Indigenous communities to examine health determinants and to develop and evaluate interventions that address community-identified health needs. Dr. Currie is committed to conducting practical, translational research that governments and community stakeholders can use to guide action.

Dr. Currie started out by talking on there being no biological criteria to support race. Race is a social construct and there are many stereotypes in Canada that we need to address and debunk. Right now an Indigenous person with the same level of education will make 30% less simply because they are Indigenous. So when researching this topic, she found that what US African Americans experienced in a lifetime were comparable to what Indigenous peoples' in Canada experience within a year.



From Dr. Currie's presentation.

 Dr. Currie talked about how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should start to include racism in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMV.) She cited many medical examples of psychological stress and how it can create dysfunction for life from adrenal cortical and cortisol level dysfunction, to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA or HTPA axis) adrenal gland dysfunction. She cited studies of racial discrimination being associated with red blood cells and oxidative stress as well as breast cancer being linked to racism. The SWAN heart study - Chronic exposure to everyday discrimination and coronary artery calcification in African-American women. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16738065 There is also the example of the Sami peoples of Scandinavian countries. She spoke of the need to do more studies that are Canadian specific.



From Dr. Currie's presentation.



From Dr. Currie's presentation.



From Dr. Currie's presentation.

On Dec. 2, 2004, the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights, gave the Human rights and Indigenous issues, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and
fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, by Rodolfo Stavenhagen   http://www.gcc.ca/pdf/INT000000012.pdf in which was focused on racism in Canada and Australia. There were many recommendations. Immediately, Australia launched a kindergarten to grade school education reform to stop racism. Recommendations were ignored by Canada, leaving us 10 years behind. Thankfully, Dr. Currie is working with an Indigenous chair on racism in Australia that confirms the barriers she faces in her research today, was the experience in Australia 10 years ago giving her direction on how to approach.

Epigenetics shows the intergenerational trauma's known to show in a person's genes. Articles from Grandma's experiences leave a mark on your genes to Ghost in your Genes by Nova - documentary show the science already proving experiences of 9/11 babies, or on the great grandkids of Holocaust survivors. The U of L is world renown in neuroscience and epigenetics yet there is still a need to have more studies specific to Indigenous peoples' in the boundaries of Canada and how the intergenerational experiences of colonialism has on genetic health.

From Dr. Currie's presentation

From Dr. Currie's presentation

From Dr. Currie's presentation

From Dr. Currie's presentation

From Dr. Currie's presentation. She spoke in detail about blaming the victim in the health field, debunked some myths about Indigenous peoples` having a genetic disposition to alcohol. She also talked about scientific proof of Type 2 Diabetes being linked with chronic stress issues and intergenerational trauma, debunking a genetic disposition.

Solutions were also presented. She spoke of learning the history of colonization, the four phases of colonization, and to be educated on the impacts of internalized oppression with the video of The Kenneth en Mamie Clarks' doll experiment. She spoke of the need to celebrate diversity, the need to return to culture, and the pride that increases with these actions. The peer reviewed Resilience and Indigenous Spirituality: A Literature Review shows the positive results in reducing suicide and alcohol abuse with an increase in culture. Taking action against injustice, protecting young people from oppression, teaching people to create a safe space are ways to help. Demanding our provinces follow the BC example of using Indigenous Cultural competency training program in health services. Lastly, she spoke of being an Ally and how Anne Bishop`s book Becoming an Ally has a free chapter to give to people.

Dr. Currie`s research should be used in evidence-based policy nationally. In health, poverty is considered the number one determinant in health. Dr. Currie is correct to say it is actually racism. We can see that with the imposed Indian Act is a racist act that created systemic poverty, creating the health issues we see today. Having a kindergarten to grade school education program that focuses on history of Indigenous knowledge, and racism prevention are needed. Having health professionals and other professions have complete Indigenous Cultural competency training nationally is needed. Changing the systemic oppression of the Indian Act is also needed.

She ended her talks with a wonderful thought. Human dignity, plus compassion equals peace. She can be reached at Cheryl.currie@uleth.ca

For more on Historic Trauma and Aboriginal Healing.