Land acknowledgements are acts of Reconciliation, and a way for Canadians to recognize the ongoing injustices and resilience of Indigenous peoples across Canada.
In the land acknowledgement, we acknowledge the land and the waters, the nations of people who are the stewards of these lands. Land acknowledgements also play an important role in treaty education as the treaties are the foundation to the relationship between Canada and First Nations.
These acknowledgements are also a reminder of the responsibility we all have to educate ourselves and address, acknowledge, and repair these injustices.
An important aspect of land acknowledgements is to consider actionable steps towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
We encourage you to learn more about the nations, the land, and the communities in the areas where you live. It is important to understand the impacts of colonization and work together to address these impacts collaboratively with Indigenous peoples.
Arthritis and Indigenous Communities
While epidemiological data on the burden of arthritis in Indigenous populations in Canada are limited, arthritis has been found to be more common in First Nations and Métis adults relative to the prevalence among non-Indigenous adults. The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Key Health Inequalities in Canada: A National Portrait (2018) reported the prevalence of arthritis among First Nations people living off reserve (26.0%), First Nations people living on reserve (25.2%), Métis people (25.8%), Inuit (21.1%), and non-Indigenous people (16.6%) living in Canada.
A literature review conducted by Arthritis Society Canada also identified common barriers that Indigenous people face when accessing healthcare, including financial, geographic, social, and political issues. Key barriers highlighted include limitations in healthcare infrastructure, lack of quality of care, social discrimination and cultural obstacles, and more.
Pronunciation Guide:
- Mississaugas (mis-sus-SOG-guz)
- Anishinaabeg (ah-nish-in-NAW-beg)
- Chippewa (CHIP-uh-waa)
- Haudenosaunee (HOE-den-no-SHOW-nee)
- Wendat (wen-dat)
- Métis (MAY-tee)
- Inuit (IN-ooh-eet)
Source: The Arthritis Society
https://arthritis.ca/about-us/about-arthritis-society-canada/land-acknowledgement
