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

Yukon Territory & Alaska Aboriginals – Nutrition & Physical Degeneration, Photos pp. 79, 81, & 67 Respectively
All the foods of these nature based societies grew in unpolluted environments free of artificial
chemical fertilization, <strong>and</strong> neuro-toxic pesticides. These peoples ate no canned or processed
foods <strong>and</strong> used no alcohol, coffee, tea, pastries, c<strong>and</strong>ies, sugared drinks, or colas. Whole races
have been damaged <strong>and</strong> in some cases wiped out after introduction of the highly devitalized diet
called "civilized." Among the native Hawaiians who maintained their traditional diet, dental
caries were only 0.02 %. In contrast, when they adopted the foods of modern commerce, decay
levels increased up to 80%. “Many were suffering from degenerative diseases. The effects of
Western civilization's diet of death on other races is more rapid <strong>and</strong>
therefore more apparent than what we are doing to ourselves. But
the white man is eating his way out of existence. He is committing
slow suicide on a racial scale.” 112
A study covering the period of 1968-7 found that New Zeal<strong>and</strong>
Maoris compared to their Polynesian counterparts who live in the
remote isl<strong>and</strong>s of the Pacific, appeared more inclined to suffer
infections, rheumatic fever, <strong>and</strong> tuberculosis. They also seemed
considerably more prone to develop hypertension, heart disease, <strong>and</strong>
diabetes, afflictions which are virtually foreign to more traditional
living isl<strong>and</strong>ers. Despite material improvements, as measured by
European st<strong>and</strong>ards, Maori women between 35 <strong>and</strong> 55 years in age
in New Zeal<strong>and</strong>, suffered from hypertension <strong>and</strong> coronary heart
disease four to five times as frequently as did their female ethnic
cousins of the same age group who maintained their traditional
lifestyles on the atolls of the Central Pacific. 113
2.4.1 Key Nutrient Intake of Canada’s First Peoples
Using field data from Price’s research in highly remote regions of
Northwestern Canada <strong>and</strong> Alaska the FIGURES II, III <strong>and</strong> IV 114 on
the next page compare some key nutrient intakes of Canada’s first Pacific Isl<strong>and</strong> Polynesians
peoples when still living on their traditional foods, in contrast to the Recommended Dietary
Allowance (RDA). 115 The high nutrient levels of these peoples ensured that they enjoyed
outst<strong>and</strong>ing levels of natural immunity to tooth decay <strong>and</strong> a general freedom from degenerative
disease processes. Similar high mineral <strong>and</strong> vitamin intake levels were also exhibited by remote
Polynesians, Melanesians, pastoral <strong>and</strong> agriculturist Africans, <strong>and</strong> South American Indians who
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