historical and scientific perspectives on the health of canada's first ...

into modern times. Throughout the last century their socio-economic status has closely paralleled
that of First Nations people living on reserve.
The systematic removal of Métis People from the l<strong>and</strong>s they traditionally occupied resulted in
the destabilization of Métis self-governing processes, interruption of their traditional knowledge
patterns, <strong>and</strong> oppression of Métis culture <strong>and</strong> language. Although of mixed heritage, Métis
people have suffered effects similar to other Aboriginal peoples as a result of the colonization of
Canada <strong>and</strong> subsequent devaluation of Aboriginal cultures <strong>and</strong> knowledge systems.
Métis Portaging Trade Goods NWT
Their mixed traditions <strong>and</strong> comm<strong>and</strong> of both
European <strong>and</strong> First Nation languages, led to
their role as logical intermediaries in the
commercial relationship between two
civilizations. Consequently, as a people they
were heavily involved in fur trading activities,
which inevitably led to their widespread
dependency on denatured foodstuffs, <strong>and</strong>
alcohol which were obtained for trading
services, or by barter <strong>and</strong> a corresponding
ab<strong>and</strong>onment of living off the l<strong>and</strong>. This greatly
contributed to their experiencing the same range
of devastating infectious, degenerative, <strong>and</strong>
social diseases as <strong>historical</strong>ly occurred among
their First Nation cousins, <strong>and</strong> later the Inuit.
By the end of the nineteenth century, most western Métis could be found living on the margins of
both First Nation <strong>and</strong> Euro-Canadian societies. Many lived on l<strong>and</strong>s adjacent to First Nation
reserves, <strong>and</strong> although most held strong ties of kinship with people on the reserve, they were
denied treaty <strong>and</strong> other benefits <strong>and</strong> services because of their ambiguous legal status. Others
lived along road allowances on the outskirts of Euro-Canadian settlements, <strong>and</strong> were considered
squatters on provincial l<strong>and</strong>s. The more northern Métis settlements like those in the south were
impoverished, <strong>and</strong> infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis <strong>and</strong> syphilis became rampant.
Today, Métis People have neither treaties, nor a l<strong>and</strong> base within Canada. Most Métis People are
disbursed across the country, living in urban, northern <strong>and</strong> rural public communities. One
exception to this is found in northern Alberta. In 1932, the Government of Alberta set aside a
modest l<strong>and</strong> base for the Métis of the region, now comprising eight communities known
collectively as the Métis Settlements of Alberta. 46
1.7 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF MEDICAL SERVICES TO CANADA’S FIRST PEOPLES
The process of dealing with Aboriginal title <strong>and</strong> rights through formal treaty agreements began
shortly after contact was established between Europeans <strong>and</strong> Aboriginal peoples of North
America. These first agreements, the Peace <strong>and</strong> Friendship treaties, were concluded during a
period of extended warfare between Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> France. They were intended to secure the
neutrality or assistance of the Aboriginal nations in exchange for a commitment not to impede
them in their traditional pursuits. Several of these treaties were concluded by the British Crown
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