The Impact of Colonization and Western Assimilation on Health and Wellbeing of Canadian Aboriginal People

Abstract Colonization and government assimilation (i.e., into mainstream Western society) impacted all aspects of Aboriginal life, including: health, traditional roles, culture, socio-economic conditions, access to services, and equity among others. Consequently, many Canadian Aboriginal people today experience health inequities, loss of tradition and traditional practices, and breakdown of the family unit. To gain an understanding of how to promote equity in health care for Aboriginal people, a critical examination of the root causes of health and healthcare inequities must be considered within historical, economic, and socio-political contexts. The following paper uses a post-colonial feminist theoretical perspective to situate inequities in Aboriginal people's lives and health by focusing on the impact of colonization and assimilation on Aboriginal people.