Indigenous communities across Canada are affected by health disparities that threaten Indigenous culture and way of life. In Canada, only 44% of Indigenous individuals have reported living healthy lives, opposed to 60% of the non-Indigenous population. These statistics are the product of a healthcare system that doesn't support Indigenous peoples or provide treatment in accordance with their cultural backgrounds. Diabetes rates are five times higher in Indigenous communities, and the Indigenous population in Canada is among the highest ethnic groups to be disproportionally affected by heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and other diabetes-related ailments. 

Although healthcare programs such as the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program exist, these actions are not enough. Only 867,749 Indigenous individuals in Canada are deemed eligible for these benefits, but the Indigenous population count is 1,807,250 as of 2022. Canada must also recognize how Indigenous peoples are affected by either blatant racism or microaggressions when interacting with healthcare settings and professionals, and how some treatments go in direct opposition to the unique Indigenous cultural beliefs. 

By signing this petition, you are supporting the belief that health care is a human right. Despite being the original peoples on the land we call Canada, the Indigenous community is victimized by a healthcare system that won't acknowledge their individual needs. You can't change what you won't acknowledge, and in order to make a change, we need to acknowledge how Indigenous communities are affected by the health care system and the actions that need to be done. This petition will be emailed to the Indigenous Services Canada and the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.