Introduction
Inequality is an issue that permeates all spheres of people’s lives, and it is challenging for people to discover and address the root of the problem. For instance, inequality is often viewed through the lens of economics, with some scholars believing that income adjustment can resolve such staggering concerns as poverty (Visano 192). However, it is vital to consider other aspects of one’s existence, paying attention to multiple social determinants and their interconnectedness. In Canada, Indigenous Peoples encounter economic inequality that is further worsened by racism, their remote geographic location, a lack of accessible medical services, and food insecurity.
Poverty
Racialized groups face economic and health-related hardships worldwide, and Canada is not an exception. Although the idea of multiculturalism is embraced in the country on paper, it is apparent that minorities continue to face inequality (Jacobs and Ouedraogo 270). For example, the population living in the most northern territory of Canada, Nunavut, mostly consists of Indigenous Peoples (Inuit, in particular).
This region differs greatly from the rest of the country due to its harsh northern climate as well as the lack of urban development. As a result, the local Indigenous communities do not have the same quality of life as people living in other Canadian cities. In this case, the primary type of poverty is material – Indigenous Canadians suffer from great food insecurity as local farming opportunities are limited by the weather (Visano 197). The combination of the remoteness from urban life with fresh produce and clean water puts the health of the community at risk of malnutrition, obesity, and overall poor health.
Another problem that much of northern Canada’s Indigenous Peoples face is the availability of healthcare services and people’s inability to access medical help. Apart from being unable to acquire the same products as other Canadians, residents of Nunavut lack healthcare facilities that would be as advanced as those in more prosperous territories. Such costs as transportation, housing, and food make health travel extremely challenging and further limit communities’ healthcare access. Here, the combination of such social determinants as low income and no access to healthcare services play a significant role in Indigenous People’s wellbeing.
Race Inequity
The issues of poverty and poor health of Indigenous Peoples cannot be analyzed without acknowledging the underlying systemic racism. The location of the communities in the north shows that the majority of Indigenous Canadians live in regions with worse infrastructure, and they cannot access education and job opportunities. In Nunavut, employment is limited to industries that can or have to operate in a harsh environment.
Thus, many Indigenous Peoples may not have another choice but to apply to these positions. The lack of development in these territories is notably contrasting the rest of the country – the discrepancy between food insecurity in Ontario and Nunavut is substantial. In comparison, Nunavut’s population is primarily Indigenous Peoples, while Ontario’s majority is people of European descent (Visano 196). There exists a clear issue of race inequity that is strengthened by the climate and other conditions that discourage improvement.
Conclusion
Indigenous Peoples in Canada are affected by poverty that is comprised of territorial isolation, harsh environment, food insecurity, lacking healthcare services, and limited job opportunities. Poverty leads to worse health, which, in turn, further lowers the quality of life for Indigenous Canadians. The majority of this population group is located in the northern part of the state, and such segregation leads to racial inequity and long-term effects on the community’s economic and social security.
Works Cited
Jacobs, Merle A., and Awalou Ouedraogo. “Is there Equity in Multiculturalism?” Race In-Equity: Intersectionality, Social Determinants of Health & Human Rights, edited by Awalou Ouedraogo and Merle A. Jacobs, APF Press, 2017, pp. 265-294.
Squire, Jeffrey N. T. “Ebola in West Africa Equity and Human Rights Issues in the Global Response: A Synthesis.” Race In-Equity: Intersectionality, Social Determinants of Health & Human Rights, edited by Awalou Ouedraogo and Merle A. Jacobs, APF Press, 2017, pp. 108-126.
Visano, Brenda Spotton. “Interpretations of Economic Inequality in Canada and Why It Matters for Public Policy.” Race In-Equity: Intersectionality, Social Determinants of Health & Human Rights, edited by Awalou Ouedraogo and Merle A. Jacobs, APF Press, 2017, pp. 190-202.