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
Some interesting report i found while researching:
ReplyDeleteFirst Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/pubs/services/_home-domicile/prog_crit/index-eng.php
Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan
http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED450973.pdf
Meagan, this is an excellent introductory post! I really like the way you situated yourself as a non-Indigenous person. While your understanding of the issues will be limited by your own social location, you can aspire to becoming an ally. I think you have just taken your first step to doing so.
ReplyDeleteI've just been reviewing the literature in this area, since I put in a research proposal with an Indigenous colleague a week ago on Indigenous aging. There is so little out there on the social aspects of aging among Indigenous peoples and I hope that as the year progresses, I will be able to share some of what we will be learning by consulting with elders councils and grandmothers groups.
Thanks Sylvia, i would really appreciate any information you find, not only because it is relevant to my blog posts but mostly because this is an area that i am particularly interested in. I have definitely run into some difficulties in finding scholarly literature on issues relating to Aging Aboriginal People so I am excited to see what comes of your proposal.
ReplyDeletethanks
Meagan
Meghan, I think you have brought up a number of very interesting points. Much like you, I am not an expert when it comes to Aboriginal culture. In fact, I believe that I have much to learn about the immensely diverse group as well as the older adult population that identifies as Aboriginal. It is interesting to see how the demographics compare with Canadian “normative” standards of aged 65 and older. While reading this I thought of the definition of what constitutes “aging”, or what this broad term means to individuals from different cultural groups.
ReplyDeleteI was able to take a look at the link that was posted in the initial comment. Within this article different solutions were proposed which are reflective of some of the needs of the Canadian Aboriginal population; one recommendation is self-government. I would argue that as social work students it is important to not only acknowledge the diversity of aging, but to also incorporate it into appropriate policies and programs. I do not believe that there is one general program that will solve our countries issues related to aging, and there is no one-size-fits-all policy for our seniors either. Instead it is imperative that we create our aging policies to center on the diversity of this population, especially while we are still in a period of development and change. In this particular case, we have an opportunity to encourage Aboriginal people to determine the needs of their elderly, and also to create culturally appropriate policies, services and supports.
While reading over your post I did some research on Aboriginal aging and found an interesting report of older adult abuse in Indigenous communities. While this was not the specific topic that you were discussing, it does highlight some important issues concerning historical and present policies of colonization and how it should be a central concern for all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals. Although statistics may have been updates since the time this study was published much of the information is still applicable, I hope that is helps!
www.ahf.ca/downloads/ahfresearchelderabuse_eng.pdf
-Alison
Meagan
ReplyDeleteI think everyone in class is struggling with the concept of how to write on groups that some of us many not hold membership in. However, with that being said I think your post is amazing and written in a respectful manner. Lastly, I agree with Silvia that by situating yourself as a non-Indigenous individual and acknowledging your desire to learn more about a culture different from your own, you have made a great step forward as what Silvia said last class an ally in training. Thank you for sharing-- Meghan
Meagan
ReplyDeleteGood job, I can see how difficult it was for you to place yourself as an writer of a person of a particular group you do not belong too, but kudos to you for being mindful! I think this is part of being a Social worker in training and beyond, to always reminding ourselves that no matter how much we believe we are the expert and are the all knowing of a particular area or persons. We are neither. The Aboriginal older person’s needs all of us to have understanding and to be compassionate when addressing their compounded and often complex needs. We have to continually question our place in another group of people or place. So we do not become complacent and judgmental.
I appreciate your insight- Veronica
Meagan,
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting and startling at the same time. I think what struck me was the fact that "senior", for the Aboriginal community, is better represented at age 55 as opposed to the current set age of 65. I found this alarming because of the implications that these types of statistics reveal about a whole population of Canadians. If there is a difference in life expectancy for Aboriginal females and males of 5.5 to 8.1 respectively, than should not our social policies reflect the difference?
For me your article demonstrated the urgent need to re-evaluate eligibility criteria for OAS and GIS for the Aboriginal aging population. This past week David, from St. Boniface College, came and discussed how when somebody on social assistance turns 65 they recieve an increase of government benefits, and loose the stigma of being on welfare. This in turn helps increase their living conditions, and makes needed medications easier to access. However, is the aging Aboriginal population being afforded this same privilege? I am inclined to say no. Many of them suffer with chronic disease long before they reach the age of 65, and will do with out proper treatments due to financial strain.
Based on the statistics in your article, proportionately speaking, fewer Aboriginal people are able to recieve the OAS and GIS benefits, stigma free, than are Non-Aboriginal people. However, as you said in your article, due to the lack of research on this topic, this fact is widely unknown. Looking forward to reading more on this topic. Thanks.
-Michelle
A very interesting blog. One thing I found particularly curious, from my own focus on elderly women in Canada, is the difference between male/female life expectancies among Aboriginals compared to the national population in general. The difference between the male/female life expectancies mentioned in the post is 7.7 years. In 2010, that difference for the Canadian population in general was just 4.7 years.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2010/02/23/life-expectancy-canada.html
This is a difference of more than 60%, which I would argue makes it pretty significant, statistically speaking.
I think this would be a fascinating topic for research. Since we could imagine that in general Indigenous men and women will tend to live in similar environments, what are the factors in those environments that seem to impact men so much more strongly than women. Perhaps, in terms of improving health outcomes for Aboriginals, this could help identify some of the prime opportunities for improvement, simply because if these factors tend to apply to half of the population, they may be more easily and quickly addressed than tougher factors that affect the entire population.
Meagan, your blog introductory post is excellent! You have really done a great job of introducing our groups blog on aging Aboriginal people.You have provided great knowledge, and well researched information on the diversity of the population on aging Aboriginal people and their quality of health. Thank-you for providing statistics on the health disparities of the aging Aboriginal population and for informing readers of this blog and myself about other issues that the aging Aboriginal people are currently facing such as: inadequate income and sub-standard housing conditions.
ReplyDelete-Arlene
I’m a little late responding to this blog but I think what struck me the most was the invisibility of Aboriginal Peoples in the dominant discourse surrounding health. I read the Wilson, Rosenburg, and Lovelace (2010) article and every third paragraph made reference to how the literature was silent when it came to older Aboriginal adults’ health. Although I feel like a broken record saying this, I see it as another example of ‘not-naming’ or the social exclusion of certain marginalized populations.
ReplyDeleteDespite recognizing that certain populations have unique health issues that need to be addressed and the vast health disparities that exist, until recently little research touched upon these issues. Why? It seems quite simple to me. If you don’t talk about it or look at it then you don’t have to deal with it. If we don’t acknowledge or document the fact that Aboriginal people have little or no access to proper health care in their own communities or the fact that healthy and nutritious food is unreasonably expensive in their communities then we don’t have to address these complex and expensive issues. Really it boils down to not wanting to address the structural issues that produce these kinds of health disparities. As the authors stated, there is a need for significant future research into the unique set of social determinants of health for Aboriginal people and such research must be grounded in the context of the historical influences of colonization.
If we continue to structure research around a white, Eurocentric model we will continue to fail Aboriginal people in terms of addressing disparities and meeting their unique health needs.
-Carrie
Your blog had me thinking about one of the most common factors in aboriginal health and that is diabetes. This is a major issue that aboriginal people face not only on the reserves, but in the city as well. I think that it does fall back on lower income wages, and the fact that 'bad food' is cheaper and 'healthy food' is expensive. I think that when one hears how pricey it is on a reserve for a jug of milk, and how cheap it is for a bottle of pop, it is quiet disguesting to think about the set up for one to end up with diabetes all based on ones' income. It is a life-threating disease and a battle that the indiginouse population face even in 2011.
ReplyDelete~Jessica
Thank you for posting your blog Meagan!
ReplyDeleteCanadian aboriginal people die earlier than their fellow Canadians, on average, and sustain a disproportionate share of the burden of physical disease and mental illness. I think Aboriginal people are at a greater-than-normal risk of infectious diseases, injuries, respiratory diseases, nutritional problems (including obesity) and substance abuse. There are studies that assessed poverty as a confounding factor most especially in terms of nutrition.