I have struggled for weeks trying to decide what is the best way to introduce this blog, our topic and the people group we will be attempting to speak about. As a social work student I have been greatly impacted by the few courses I have taken on issues relating to Indigenous people and in turn the people I have been able to meet and learn from. Despite the great teaching I have received I still feel inadequate to speak on many of these issues because I recognize that as a non-Indigenous person I can never truly understand all the complexities of what it means to be First Nations, Inuit or Métis. Not only is there a rich culture present in the Indigenous communities in Canada but there is also a wealth of knowledge and experience. As I attempt to discuss current issues for aging Aboriginal people I look forward to learning from others, whether it be through literature or comments from other bloggers. While I realize I do not come from this perspective that I am studying, I will genuinely try to be as accurate and informed as possible.
So now, how can we begin to introduce issues related to aging Aboriginal people unless we first have a basis for how these particular people are viewed within their own culture and also the broader Canadian context? How does this population differ? How are they the same? How diverse is this population?
Currently the aboriginal population is very young with 30% of its population being under 15 years old (Wilson, Rosenburg, & Lovelace, pp. 370, 2010). However there is now a significant increase in the aging population (Wilson, et al, 2010). Wilson, et al (2010) explains that, according to Statistics Canada, the Aboriginal population over 65 years old increased by 43% between 2001 and 2006 (p. 370). Even in light of this significant population increase it appears that there is little research on this population (Wilson et al, 2010). Additionally, although the Canadian standard for “senior” or older person is those over 65 years some may suggest that due to differences in population distribution a definition of “senior” for Aboriginal people would be those over the age of 55 (Wilson, et al, 2010). There are significant differences in quality of health between Aboriginal people 55+ and those in the non-aboriginal population. Wilson et al. (2010) states “Among those aged 55 to 64, 7 per cent of the Aboriginal population report three or more chronic conditions compared with 2 per cent of the non-Aboriginal population. Yet, among those aged 75 and older, 51 per cent of the Aboriginal population report three or more chronic conditions in comparison with 23 per cent of the non-Aboriginal population” (pp. 369). There is an obvious disparity in health status between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. This disparity is further reflected in the life expectancy of Aboriginal People. The Statistics Canada website states “In 2000, life expectancy at birth for the Registered Indian population was estimated at 68.9 years for males and 76.6 years for females. This reflects differences of 8.1 years and 5.5 years, respectively, from the 2001 Canadian population's life expectancies” (2005). These statistics while alarming also raise some legitimate questions. What is the reason for these differences? Is it due to biological factors? Life style factors? Or a combination of both? What is the response to these disparities? How do we work with this population as social workers? Where is there room for improvement on the way we interact and respond to the issues these groups are facing? What other disparities could arise from these situations?
A Health Canada report states it this way: “The hardships experienced by Aboriginal people in Canada are well documented. In the case of Aboriginal seniors, inadequate income, substandard housing conditions, and an elevated rate of disabilities are just some of the common factors that threaten health and well-being” (2002, p. 33). One could write a thesis or two on these issues but this is just a brief introduction to some very fundamental issues affecting the aging Aboriginal population.
In our first class on aging, Sylvia explained to us that aging people are the most diverse group in Canada. In entering into a discussion on the broad category of aging Aboriginal people it is important for us to remember that even amongst aging Aboriginal people there is so much variation. Although there are many commonalities across Indigenous peoples there are also many differences in cultures and beliefs among these nations and this will provide a challenge in discussing issues related to this population. I will try to do justice to this reality as I research and write.
Please note I have shared some links at the bottom of the articles I have cited and some interesting government programs.
-Meagan
Wilson, K., Rosenburg, S. A., Lovelace, R. (2010). Aging and health: an examination of differences between older aboriginal and non-aboriginal people. Canadian Journal on Aging, 29 (3), pp. 369-382. Retrieved October 14, 2010 from http://journals.cambridge.org.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7878439
Health Canada (2005) First nations comparable health indicators. Retrieved October 19, 2010 from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/diseases-maladies/2005-01_health-sante_indicat-eng.php
Health Canada (2002) Canada’s aging population. Retrieved October 19 from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/publications/public/various-varies/papier-fed-paper/index-eng.php
