Colonization breeds chronic disease: history and Aboriginal health

November 22, 2006

Source: University of Regina
http://www.uregina.ca/news/releases/2006/november/22.shtml

Aboriginal people experience higher rates of infectious and chronic disease, higher rates of poverty and unemployment, lower levels of education, lower incomes, higher rates of domestic violence and higher incarceration rates than non-Aboriginal people in Canada. Why is this so? Does Canada’s history of colonization, oppression and attempted assimilation matter? Are the issues our community faces today precipitated by past events?

In her talk, "Does History Matter? Health and Healing in Aboriginal Communities", assistant professor of indigenous health studies Carrie Bourassa considers how the historical experiences of Aboriginal people are linked to many of the health problems they face today. She explores how the attempted assimilation of Aboriginal people resulted in a loss of language, culture, identity and spirituality, and how healing is starting to occur as people begin to reclaim their identities.

The sixth installment of the Faculty of Arts’ popular Coffee House Controversies series will take place Thurs., Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Chapters bookstore behind the Southland Mall (2625 Gordon Road).

Coffee House Controversies aims to bring the research interests of Faculty of Arts members to the community. Speakers give an informal 20-minute talk focusing on a controversial topic of interest to the general public. The talks are intended to encourage the open exchange of ideas. Twenty minutes of discussion follows each talk, during which members of the general public can ask questions or raise issues with the speaker or other audience members. The events are free and open to the public. Contact Jennifer Arends at 585-4226 for more information.

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Contact: Stephen King, External Relations
E-mail: Stephen.King@uregina.ca
Phone: (306) 585.5632
Mobile: (306) 536.4312
Fax: (306) 585.4997