As someone who has personally witnessed the health-care system's mistreatment, and the Canadian Government's lack of care surrounding both physical and mental health; of minority groups including my own, I feel a deep and unsettling concern about the current state of care provided to Indigenous communities in Canada. The disparities these communities experience are, in many ways, more prevalent than those endured by other minority groups.

The neglect, the lack of understanding of how historical issues continue to affect the health of present-day Indigenous communities, and the medical malpractice faced by these communities is inexcusable. The impact of such failings seen in suicide rates, infant mortality, metal health, chronic disease and illness, etc., alarmingly evident. 

Statistics from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness show that Indigenous people are over-represented in the homeless population of nearly every region in Canada, primarily due to issues such as discrimination, poverty, and intergenerational trauma, all of which can directly link to health disparities. In addition, collective PTSD as a result of the Residential School System has led to an increased burden of PTSD among Indigenous populations, nearly twice as high compared to non-Indigenous Canadians (source: Centre for Suicide Prevention).

The need for immediate action is undeniably clear. Therefore, I am imploring the Government of Canada to pledge its commitment to creating better infrastructure and resources for the improvement of mental and physical health for its Indigenous communities. This includes establishing culturally appropriate services, implementing trauma-informed care, and ensuring readily accessible resources, in order to tackle the considerable gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous care.

Let us rally together to demand this change from our government. It is time to rectify past wrongs and make amends with meaningful, impactful action. Your signature can make a significant difference. Please sign this petition today.