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Colonialism as a Broader Social Determinant of Health

International Indigenous Policy Journal · 2011 · 481 citations · 23 references

Open access

TL;DR

A broader or Indigenized social determinants of health framework incorporates colonialism, noting that intergenerational trauma and ongoing social, political, and economic marginalization produce real health effects that are reinforced within Indigenous mental health discourse and shape scholarly and popular perceptions. The study seeks to clarify what it means to view Canadian colonialism as a distal determinant of Indigenous health. The authors conduct a review of relevant discourses on Indigenous mental health in Canada. The findings suggest that policy work addressing colonialism must improve relationships by eliminating colonial relations and increasing self‑determination to enhance Indigenous health.

Abstract

A proposed broader or Indigenized social determinants of health framework includes "colonialism" along with other global processes. What does it mean to understand Canadian colonialism as a distal determinant of Indigenous health? This paper reviews pertinent discourses surrounding Indigenous mental health in Canada. With an emphasis on the notion of intergenerational trauma, there are real health effects of social, political, and economic marginalization embodied within individuals, which can collectively affect entire communities. Colonialism can also be enacted and reinforced within Indigenous mental health discourse, thus influencing scholarly and popular perceptions. Addressing this distal determinant through policy work necessitates that improving Indigenous health is inherently related to improving these relationships, i.e. eliminating colonial relations, and increasing self-determination.