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John D. O’Neil & Brian D. Postl. (1992). “Community Healing and Aboriginal Self-Government: Is The
Circle Closing?” Paper prepared for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
When Europeans settlers came to Canada they brought new disease that killed large
portions of Aboriginal communities. This caused Aboriginals to sign treaties in exchange for
food and healthcare. However, the health care received by Aboriginal peoples has proven to be
unsatisfactory, with Aboriginal groups suffering higher mortality rates than the general
population. Lack of mental health programs available for aboriginals has played a role in high
suicide rates among Aboriginal peoples. Recent federally funded health programs under
Aboriginal control have had success in reducing Aboriginal mental illness. John D. O’Neil and
Brian D. Postl’s article argues these self-governed medical institutions have had a positive effect
on Aboriginal communities. The author also highlights the social and political ramifications of
self-governed medical healing.
The history of Aboriginal healing is entrenched into their culture and religion. Aboriginal
healers played a vital role in aboriginal society using plants and herbs to cure most common
ailments. However, this system was undermined when western settlers brought new disease
such as smallpox, influenza, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis. These diseases were
especially deadly due to the lack of immunity among Aboriginals. The impact was severe as the
diseases wiped out 40 to 90 percent of some aboriginal communities. Aboriginal leaders were
forced to turn to European medicine in order to ensure the survival of their tribes. Many
Aboriginal tribes made deals with the Euro-Canadian government to give up their land and
resources, with the condition of relocating their tribe to villages and reserves. They did this in
exchange for health care for Aboriginal communities and future Aboriginal generations. As a
result, Treaties were signed that stated the government is responsible for protecting the
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Aboriginals from disease and famine. First Indian agents were given medicine boxes to be
stored in their homes. Medicine was distributed among Aboriginals when seen as necessary by
the Indian agent. However, Aboriginal tribes were not satisfied with this method prompting the
agreements made in Treaty 8 which promised medicine and medical care. A report by the
secretary of Indian affairs stated “that government would always be ready to avail itself of any
opportunity of affording medical service” (pg.3).
Unfortunately the government did not uphold these agreements as evidence in
residential schools. Residential schools became a breeding ground for diseases killing large
amounts of students. Even the students who managed to survive the school system left
psychologically disturbed. To make matters worse new rules in the Indian act banned
