Poverty: The Indigenous Population

the Indigenous population. The Aboriginal population is deterred from accessing opportunites that will improve their financial siuation and increase their qulaity of life. “...unequal access of resources such as education, training and employment, social and health care facilities, and limited access to and control over lands and resources”(Frohlich et al., 2006, p. 136). These disadantages combine as lack of access to education decrease the chances of finding a good paying job, without a consistent income social and healthcare services are unaffordable along with housing and education. Without a source of income and money one may live in poverty. These conditions are hard to refrain from and overcome as it is proven, with exceptions however,
Not only does living in poverty make it hard to afford basic needs necessary for survival, it pyscholoigcally impacts the Indigenous population(Peiris, Brown, & Cass, 2008, p. 985). Poverty increases mental illnesses, leading to violent behaviour and petty crimes such as stealing, which consequentially rusults in Aboriginals being imprisoned significantly more than mainstream canadians(Chrismas, 2013, p.11). The Indigenous population encounter many disparities in factors that directly and indirectly impact health. “...the health determinants that are directly related to [Indigenous] Third World health status; those socio-economic determinants include infrastructure, housing, employment, income, environment, and education”(Adelson, 2005, p. S45). In each aspect the Indigenous people are deprived; Lack of infrastructure to provide clinics, hospitals and schools affect the health and potential employment of these people. Low income and inaffordable housing causes crowding of multiple families in one home, proven to affect health negatively (Walker, 2008). The shift from naturally claimed land to small reserves with no efficient land use or production effected Indigenous extremely as the land was important for their physical, emotional and spiritual
The lack of social integration caused by the segregation and discrimination experienced by Aboriginals results in shorter life expectancies and higher suicide rates. The lack of educational attainment achieved by Indigenous peoples provides limited opportunities for a good paying job. Without a sturdy income it is hard to maintain well-being and as a result cannot support one with poor health. All these problems are derived from government decisions, by not accepting the indigenous population and their cultural differences, they encounter disadvantages trying to get jobs to afford a living the government makes such an expense and as a result, their health is negatively impacted. “Cultural differences in how we come to understand what health means, economic condition, living and social condition and one's level of formal education are all elements that must be addressed... in reducing health disparities and promoting equity in Aboriginal Canadian Populations”(Adelson, 2005, p.