Multiplying and Dividing - The University of Auckland

officials advised community members to wash their hands after sneezing to prevent the spreadof infection. The Chief went on to note that many of the residents are “living in third worldconditions” and “the majority of the homes in Garden Hill don’t have running water” (CBCApril 13, 2006). This crisis, along with the death of a six year old Aboriginal child from TB inanother community the following month, prompted National Chief Phil Fontaine to say“We’ll never eradicate TB in First Nations until we eradicate poverty” (CBC May 18, 2006).The incidence of TB in the Aboriginal population has also been shown to vary inversely withthe time interval of contact with European settlers (e.g., higher rates occurring in areas lastexposed) (Enarson 2001, Waldram et al. 2006). Table 2 reveals that Aboriginal TB casesmake up 95 percent of the cases in the North 3 , 90 percent in Saskatchewan and almost 70percent of all cases in Manitoba. This table also highlights the fact that, although Aboriginalpeople in Canada only make up 3.3 percent of the total Canadian population (based on the2001 census), they accounted for 15.2 percent of all TB cases in Canada in 2003.Table 2 Percentage of tuberculosis cases in Canada by origin – provinces/territories: 2003.Geographic RegionCanadian-bornnon-AboriginalCanadian-bornAboriginalForeign-bornUnknownbirthplaceAlberta 16.4 17.3 66.4 0.0British Columbia 12.1 8.5 75.1 4.3Manitoba 14.2 69.3 16.5 0.0New Brunswick 66.7 0.0 16.7 16.7Newfoundland andLabrador50.0 16.7 16.7 16.7Nova Scotia 66.7 0.0 33.3 0.0Ontario 7.8 1.2 88.0 3.0Prince Edward Island 33.3 0.0 66.7 0.0Quebec 31.8 1.6 65.1 1.6Saskatchewan 5.5 90.1 4.4 0.0North 3 0.0 95.0 5.0 0.0Canada 14.1 15.2 68.2 2.5(PHAC 2007a:19)Aboriginal peoples’ over-representation in the Canadian TB statistics is the result of theperpetuation of many negative conditions and circumstances stemming from colonialexperiences and relationships with the Canadian government. Inequities in the health status ofAboriginal peoples in Canada in general are linked to a complex interplay of social determinantsand circumstances rooted in generations of colonial policies which sought to undermine theirculture. It is recognized that factors related to colonialism remain a significant determinant ofhealth for Aboriginal peoples in Canada (PHAC 2004c), and that mechanisms of colonialismhave changed in Canada but have not ended (Aboriginal Healing Foundation 2005, Fleras andElliot 1992). Improving health and healing for Aboriginal peoples is increasingly linked toempowerment and self-determination coupled with improved relations with the dominantsociety. This includes the need for Canadian citizens to learn and acknowledge the history of87