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Human Security Issues of the Indigenous People of Canada

Alek Gonsalves

A00413208

Department of Global Development Studies, Saint Mary’s University

GDST 3402: Seminar in Development Studies: Contemporary Issues

Dr. Madhuparna Gupta

March 24, 2023

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Abstract
This study examines the problems with human security that Canadian Indigenous people
experience. It looks at how Indigenous peoples have been marginalised historically and currently,
as well as how that has affected their security. The three main pillars of human security—
economic, dietary, and health security—are the main topics of this essay. The paper identifies the
difficulties encountered by Indigenous peoples in accessing these basic necessities and the
consequent effect on their wellbeing through a review of the body of literature, case studies, and
other peer reviewed articles. The paper makes the case that dealing with these problems
necessitates a comprehensive strategy that incorporates Indigenous viewpoints, information, and
solutions. To conclude we will be exploring policy and practise suggestions to enhance the
human security of Indigenous Canadians.

Indigenous peoples in Canada have a unique history and cultural heritage that spans
thousands of years. They have faced significant challenges in their interactions with colonial
powers and their descendants, resulting in a range of humanitarian issues that persist to this day.
The legacy of colonization, including the forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their lands,
the residential school system, and the ongoing effects of the Indian Act, has had profound
impacts on the social, economic, and cultural well-being of Indigenous communities.
The effect of colonisation on the well-being of Indigenous peoples in Canada has been
profound. The Indian Act, passed in 1876, was an especially heinous piece of legislation. The Act
had a number of negative effects, such as the forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their
lands, the imposition of Eurocentric forms of governance and education, and the erosion of
Indigenous cultural practises and languages. (Asch, 2014). The Act has also been used to sustain
systemic discrimination and racism by restricting Indigenous peoples' access to resources and
chances. (Henderson & Schwartz, 2015). As a result, Indigenous peoples continue to face major
human security challenges, including economic, food, and health security. (Skinner et al., 2017;
MacRae et al., 2019; Smylie et al., 2015). Despite efforts to engage in reconciliation and address
the long-term consequences of colonization, the legacy of the Indian Act and other forms of
colonialism continue to have a major impact on the well-being of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
To address these problems, it is critical to identify and treat the underlying causes, which include
systemic discrimination, historical injustices, and the ongoing effects of colonialism.
One of the remnants of colonization was the introduction of residential schools.
Residential schools were a key component of the Canadian government's attempts to assimilate
Indigenous peoples and destroy their cultures, a practise known as cultural genocide. Children
were taken from their families and communities and sent to schools where they were punished
for speaking their native languages or practising cultural customs. Students were subjected to
physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in institutions that were frequently underfunded and
overcrowded, with insufficient food and medical care. (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of
Canada, 2015).
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Residential schools had a profound and long-lasting effect on Indigenous peoples.

Survivors' and their families' trauma have added to ongoing intergenerational effects such as
mental health problems, substance abuse, and social and economic marginalisation. (Milloy,
1999; Kirmayer et al., 2014). The consequences of residential schools can still be felt today, as
Indigenous peoples face significant obstacles to attaining human security and well-being. Efforts
to address the legacy of residential schools and cultural genocide have been ongoing. The Truth
and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, established in 2008, made recommendations aimed
at promoting healing and reconciliation, including the need to address the ongoing impacts of
residential schools and to promote Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditions (Truth and
Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015). However, much work remains to be done to
address the ongoing impacts of cultural genocide and to support Indigenous peoples in their
efforts to rebuild and revitalize their cultures.
Another issue that this Indigenous people face is forced relocation and dispossession of
land. Indigenous peoples' forced relocation and dispossession of territory in Canada has been a
persistent issue since the advent of European colonisers. Indigenous peoples have been
systematically removed from their traditional territories and pushed onto smaller and less
desirable plots of property over the ages. The Canadian government frequently justified
dispossession under the guise of "developing" or "modernizing" the country, but in reality, it was
a strategy to gain control of Indigenous peoples' territories and resources. (Coulthard, 2014).
Forcible relocation and land dispossession have had a devastating effect on Indigenous
peoples. The loss of traditional territories has hampered their ability to practise their cultures,
access traditional foods, and participate in traditional economies. (Klein, 2018). This has had
serious consequences for their human security, including food security, fiscal security, and
cultural security (Skinner et al., 2017; MacRae et al., 2019). Efforts to address the impacts of
forced relocation and dispossession of land have been ongoing, but progress has been slow.
While there have been some successful land claims and treaties, many Indigenous peoples
continue to live on inadequate and substandard lands, and they face ongoing threats from
resource extraction, climate change, and other environmental pressures (Alfred & Corntassel,
2005; Hodgson, 2017). To address the ongoing impacts of forced relocation and dispossession of
land, it is essential to recognize the historical injustices that have been committed and to work
collaboratively with Indigenous peoples to restore their lands and resources. This includes
supporting land claims, treaties, and other forms of reconciliation, as well as ensuring that
Indigenous peoples have meaningful input into decisions affecting their lands and resources.
Indigenous peoples in Canada experience significant barriers to accessing healthcare,
which has serious consequences for their overall health and well-being. In Canada, significant
disparities in life expectancy exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, with
Indigenous peoples having higher rates of chronic diseases and shorter life expectancies.
(Kirmayer et al., 2014). Substance abuse and addiction are also significant problems among
Indigenous peoples in Canada, with rates of substance abuse being higher among Indigenous
peoples compared to non-Indigenous Canadians (Gone, 2013). Like mental health issues,
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substance abuse and addiction are often rooted in historical trauma, dispossession of lands and
cultures, and ongoing marginalization and discrimination (Gone, 2013).
To summarize, while the Canadian government has taken some steps to address Indigenous
peoples' human security concerns, much work needs to be done. Efforts to address these issues
must be anchored in a commitment to Indigenous rights and sovereignty, and Indigenous
communities must be involved in policy and programme development decision-making
processes. Only genuine partnership and collaboration can result in long-term transformation.

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, are also more prevalent among
Indigenous peoples in Canada. These disparities are due in part to limited access to healthcare
services, but also to the impact of colonialism and ongoing systemic discrimination and
marginalization (Smylie et al., 2010). Efforts to address these issues are continuing, but progress
is slow. Working collaboratively with Indigenous communities to create culturally appropriate
and responsive healthcare services that meet their unique needs is critical to improving
Indigenous peoples' access to healthcare services. (Kirmayer et al., 2014). Supporting the
recruitment and retention of Indigenous healthcare providers, as well as ensuring that Indigenous
peoples have real input into healthcare decision-making processes, are examples of what this
entails. It is also critical to treat the underlying causes of mental health problems, substance
abuse, and chronic diseases, such as historical and ongoing trauma, poverty, and marginalization,
by promoting cultural revitalization, social and economic empowerment, and self-determination.
Indigenous peoples in Canada have long faced substantial disparities in educational
attainment, with lower rates of high school graduation and post-secondary enrollment compared
to non-Indigenous Canadians. These disparities are the result of a complicated set of variables,
including historical and ongoing discrimination and marginalization, insufficient financing for
Indigenous education, and cultural and linguistic barriers in mainstream educational systems.
(Battiste, 2013). Inadequate financing for Indigenous education is a major contributor to
educational disparities. Indigenous schools and programmes have traditionally received less
funding than non-Indigenous schools, with some estimates claiming that funding for Indigenous
education is approximately 30% less per student than funding for non-Indigenous education.
(RCAP, 1996).
Other than those humanitarian crises that these people face, they also face struggles when
it comes to economic development. Indigenous peoples in Canada experience significant
economic development challenges, with high rates of poverty and unemployment common.
(RCAP, 1996). These difficulties stem from a variety of factors, including historical and ongoing
marginalization, restricted access to economic possibilities, and reliance on government
assistance. Access to economic opportunities is a major issue for Indigenous peoples, especially
those living in remote and rural areas. Many Indigenous communities lack access to basic
infrastructure and services like roads, telecommunications, and electricity, making it difficult to
attract investment and create employment. Furthermore, cultural and linguistic barriers can make
it difficult for Indigenous peoples to gain access to mainstream economic possibilities. (RCAP,
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1996). Although climate change isn’t directly linked to humanitarian issues, it does however
have indirect implications. Indigenous peoples in Canada are inextricably linked to the natural
environment, on which they depend for their livelihoods and cultural customs. They do,
however, face several environmental issues that endanger their health and way of living.

Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental issues confronting Indigenous
communities in Canada, having a major effect on their ecosystems, traditional territories, and
way of life. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme
weather events are threatening food security, water purity and availability, and Indigenous
communities' health and well-being. (Government of Canada, 2019). Another environmental
worry for Indigenous peoples is resource exploitation, which frequently results in environmental
degradation, habitat loss, and water and soil contamination. The consequences of resource
extraction can be especially devastating for Indigenous peoples, whose traditional lands and
methods of life are inextricably linked to the natural environment. (Government of Canada,
2019). Indigenous peoples depend heavily on wild foods and traditional hunting and fishing
practises for their livelihoods and cultural customs, so food security and traditional subsistence
practises are also major environmental concerns. However, environmental deterioration and
ecosystem changes can endanger these practises and jeopardise Indigenous communities' food
security. (Government of Canada, 2019). Access to clean water and sanitation is also a critical
environmental concern for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Many Indigenous communities do not
have access to safe drinking water, and infrastructure and funding shortfalls have made it
difficult to address this issue. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation can have serious
health impacts, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly
(Government of Canada, 2019). Efforts to address environmental concerns for Indigenous
peoples must be grounded in Indigenous knowledge and perspectives and must prioritize
Indigenous rights and sovereignty. This includes involving Indigenous communities in decision-
making processes related to resource management and environmental protection, supporting
Indigenous-led initiatives to address climate change, and ensuring that Indigenous communities
have access to safe and clean water (Government of Canada, 2019).
So, what actions are governing bodies taking to address these many issues? The Canadian
government has implemented a number of policies and initiatives targeted at addressing
Indigenous peoples' human security concerns. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
is one such initiative, which was created to investigate the legacy of residential schools and to
encourage healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. (Truth
and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015).
Another significant legislative initiative is Canada's adoption of the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2016. The declaration explains,
among other things, Indigenous peoples' rights to self-determination, land, language, culture, and
education. The UNDRIP's implementation, however, has been slow, and many Indigenous
leaders and advocates are calling for more action to guarantee that Indigenous rights are
respected and upheld (Assembly of First Nations, 2021). Self-governance and land claims
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settlements are also significant initiatives geared at addressing Indigenous peoples' historical
injustices. These programmes seek to empower Indigenous communities to govern themselves
and assert their rights to their traditional lands. While some progress has been made, difficulties
remain in obtaining sufficient funding and resources to support self-government and land claims
settlements. (Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 2019).
Finally, the Canadian government has implemented a number of policies and programmes
targeted at addressing Indigenous peoples' human security concerns. These include programmes
addressing substance abuse and addiction, mental health, and chronic diseases, as well as
initiatives to better access to healthcare, education, housing, and jobs. While these programs are
important, many advocates argue that they do not go far enough in addressing the systemic issues
that contribute to Indigenous marginalization and inequality (First Nations Child and Family
Caring Society of Canada, 2019).
In conclusion, while the Canadian government has taken some steps to address the human
security issues faced by Indigenous peoples, much work remains to be done. Efforts to address
these issues must be grounded in a commitment to Indigenous rights and sovereignty and must
involve Indigenous communities in decision-making processes related to policy and program
development. Only through genuine partnership and collaboration can lasting change be
achieved.
To summarize, Indigenous peoples in Canada confront complex and multifaceted human
security problems that are rooted in a long history of colonization, forced assimilation, and
systemic discrimination. These problems influence every aspect of Indigenous peoples' lives,
from health and well-being to economic opportunities, education, and environmental
sustainability. While the Canadian government has made steps to address these issues, there is
still much work to be done. Indigenous rights and self-determination efforts must be grounded in
real partnership and collaboration with Indigenous communities. Recognizing the value of
traditional knowledge, language, and culture, as well as supporting Indigenous-led projects
encouraging healing, reconciliation, and resilience, are all part of this. Finally, addressing
Indigenous peoples' human security problems necessitates a commitment to social justice and
human rights, as well as acknowledgment of the ongoing effects of colonialism and systemic
discrimination. We can create a brighter future for all Canadians by working together in a spirit
of mutual respect and collaboration, one that is based in respect for Indigenous peoples and their
contributions to Canadian society.
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