A Connection
Totem poles in BC, Canada
Canada and Australia are two different countries, with different geographies, demographics and contexts, but they have in common the multiple issues experienced by many of their Indigenous peoples in the present day. Why is this so? After looking at some of the current issues that are prominent in Indigenous populations and the histories of colonialism in these countries, it stands to question, is there a connection between colonialism and current issues? What might such a connection be?
While there has been a lot of research on how Indigenous peoples experience many prominent social issues such as poverty, high rates of mental health issues and addictions, and homelessness, theories or explanations, such as unhealthy lifestyles or genetic predispositions have not served to further understanding of why such current inequities exist (Ringel, 2005, p.41). For example, with very similar health issues being experienced by genetically diverse Indigenous peoples in various locales, there is no solid medical rationale for why this should be (Kermode-Scott, 2009, p.b1379). Also, it has been noted that while there have been multiple studies on mental health amongst Indigenous peoples; research tends to fail to take into account the possible impacts of historical government policies (Ringel, 2005, p.46). It is therefore significant to pursue other explanations of why Indigenous peoples are experiencing highly disproportionate levels of social inequities and issues and one important explanation worth pursuing involves intergenerational trauma and attachment.
While there has been a lot of research on how Indigenous peoples experience many prominent social issues such as poverty, high rates of mental health issues and addictions, and homelessness, theories or explanations, such as unhealthy lifestyles or genetic predispositions have not served to further understanding of why such current inequities exist (Ringel, 2005, p.41). For example, with very similar health issues being experienced by genetically diverse Indigenous peoples in various locales, there is no solid medical rationale for why this should be (Kermode-Scott, 2009, p.b1379). Also, it has been noted that while there have been multiple studies on mental health amongst Indigenous peoples; research tends to fail to take into account the possible impacts of historical government policies (Ringel, 2005, p.46). It is therefore significant to pursue other explanations of why Indigenous peoples are experiencing highly disproportionate levels of social inequities and issues and one important explanation worth pursuing involves intergenerational trauma and attachment.