Warwick Anderson (2007) discusses that the indigenous health is related to the subjects of geography and colonization. The status of aboriginals involves a history of colonization and dispossession where subsequent struggle and adaptation to invaders and settlers is involved. Now we first have to understand the term ‘Colonization’. Colonization is the act of succession of the sovereignty of any other area, which later called a ‘colony’. In ancient time the Roman colonization expanded across three continents. Most of the famous European countries have been Roman colonies (Colonization, 2009).
As the ideas develop, they provide with better glimpse of the whole background of colonization and dispossession, which rigorously damaged the whole health system of Australian aboriginals. The essay passes through the points how aboriginals were confined by European settlers to prevent killing diseases and what kind of life they had in those institutions. Later it talks about the role of the Social Justice Commissioner who protects the aboriginals’ rights.
As the colonization expands, the infectious diseases also pass through the area where the colony is established. In this way the diseases are transmitted from one area to another area, from one group to another group. The colonization not only affected the health of the aboriginals but also it severely affected their well settled and successful economic system (Jan Ryan).Aboriginal people always lived with the land but the European settlers started to destroy the vegetation which was the aboriginal’s main source of survival (Dispossession and the frontier war, 2009).
Warwick Anderson (2007) additionally states that the history of aboriginal health requires understanding of both the impact of colonization and the beginning of white nation-state. At the same time Warwick Anderson (2007 argues that it also needs to know about the dark side of these contacts, civilization and development. It necessitates the appreciation of the numerous propositions of the related processes such as integration, assimilation and self determination (Warwick Anderson, 2007).
Dispossession had an effect on the health of the indigenous people as well. In Australia, the legal dispossession was direct and it was achieved before the European settlement. In 1770 James Cook captured the Eastern part of Australia to the British Crown and announced it Terra Nullius- no ones land. Aboriginals were severely affected with this by not having any legal right to their homeland. The British Crown hold the possession of all the lands except it was sold to any individual (Jan Ryan).Then the colonization started. Marcia Hewitt (2006) describes that it completely changed the life of aboriginal people in Australia as it affected their health adversely. It not only put influence on their traditional life style but also today it is considered as the most important issue for building poor the health status of Australian indigenous.
Marcia Hewitt (2006) talks about that the meaning of health to aboriginal people is in contrast to the western meaning of well-being. Marcia Hewitt (2006) delivers that it is a multi-dimensional concept which affects all aspects of living. Marcia Hewitt (2006) describes in her paper that The National Aboriginal and Island Health Organization presents the definition of health as “it is not just the physical well being of the individual but the social emotional and cultural well-being of the whole community. This is a whole of life view which includes cyclical concept of life” (Marcia Hewitt 2006).
Marcia Hewitt (2006) additionally says that Eckermann et al (1992) investigate that at the time of colonization indigenous people were not having any major issues related to any diseases rather they were leading a healthy life which was in contrast to the vast population of the British. Marcia Hewitt (2006) says that in a semi nomadic lifestyle, Indigenous Australians could use the land and its resources freely with which they used to compose their traditional medicine and due to this the Australian population was very healthy and well nourished but after some time this hale and hearty population became the sickest minority group in Australia (Marcia Hewitt 2006).
Dispossession of the aboriginal land and destruction in the economic system with lots of new spreading diseases influenced the whole population and resulted in its loss. Marcia Hewitt (2006) points out that Smith’s analysis in Saggers and Gray reflects that before the colonization that aboriginal population was approximately 314,500 and then Smith estimated that in 1933 it reduced to 73.828. These records show that the colonization affected the Indigenous Australians’ health status drastically.
Marcia Hewitt (2006) recites the views of Lappe and Collins (2001) by stating that colonialism spoils the whole cultural patterns on which the traditional societies of underdeveloped countries are dependant and if these patterns are disturbed the other kinds of imbalances occur like with in a few years after European colonization the important conditions for maintaining good health were missing from the lives of Aboriginal. Marcia Hewitt (2006) talks about the Better Health Commission established that may factors were responsible for this situation as suitable nutrition, adequate health, income, companionship and healthy environment. Marcia Hewitt (2006) accepts the view of Saggers and Gray (1991) and discusses that on top to these factors, aboriginal people’s health was in risk by many new diseases and in opposition to them they did not develop their resistant power since their traditional life did not recognize these diseases. The diseases were measles, small pox, tuberculosis, leprosy and influenza which all affected severely the health of Indigenous Australians (Marcia Hewitt, 2006).
Marcia Hewitt (2006) cites that Knowles (2001) reports during 1890s under a government protection policy aboriginal people, who had been compelled to leave their countries, were separated and confined in reserves to create an ideal environment for the conduction of infectious diseases. Marcia Hewitt (2006) further delivers that the living conditions were not of high-quality in such kinds of institutions where the people were confined as they were overcrowded. The government did not provide the people with any fundamental facilities like toilet, water etc. and the large population and malnutrition allocated the diseases. Marcia Hewitt (2006) says that the response of European people for the transmittable diseases such as leprosy was dreadful. Instead of providing the Indigenous people with high-quality healthcare, they just kept themselves away. In 1911 the first medical examination were brought into practice for Aboriginal people. This was because of European settlers’ fear who wanted to protect themselves from the infectious diseases (Marcia Hewitt, 2006).
Marcia Hewitt (2006) indicates that Aboriginal people had to follow the policies of these institutions where they lost their freedom of independence, choice and mobility. Many children were separated from their families. European colonization devastated the whole kinship infrastructure and the right to use bush food which was excellent for the Aboriginal health (Marcia Hewitt, 2006).
Later than going through a long trauma the aboriginal population in Australia is receiving now privileges. In December 1992 the Aboriginal and Torres straight Islander Social Justice Commissioner was introduced by the federal parliament. It was in response to the severe social and economic disadvantage which the Indigenous Australians were facing. Its important role is to protect the right of indigenous people and provide them support and strength which really can help in supporting them (Dr William Jonas).
The whole idea in the essay provide with some important issues such as struggle of Australian Aboriginals with not only European settlers but also with their health system, their struggle for their own land and to survive in an unhealthy environment. Later the development of Social Justice Commissioner gives the originals some relief who can protect their rights and can offer them better life.
Reference List
Anderson, W 2007, ‘The Colonial Medicine of Settler States: Comparing Histories of Indigenous Health’, Vol 9, No.2. Web.
Colonization 2009. Web.
Dispossession and the frontier war 2009. Web.
Hewitt, M 2006, ‘The process of colonization upon Indigenous Australians’, UWA, published in lateralspin.
Jonas, Dr W, ‘Social justice and human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’, Australian Human Rights Commission, 2009. Web.
Ryan, J, ‘Aboriginal Studies’, Charles Sturt University. Web.