Aboriginal Contributions to Canada - Essay Example

Since the time the aboriginals have been living in Canada, they have also been a great source of contribution to the country. They have significantly contributed in the field of agriculture, geography, literature, military, arts, fur trade and medicine. This paper primarily focuses on the contributions of the aboriginals in Canada with regards to medicine. Aboriginal Population Statistics In 2001, there were 3.4% aboriginals who lived in Canada from which 62% were North American Indian while 30% were Metis and 5% were Inuit.

The largest populations of the aboriginals in Canada lived manly in the provinces names of which are Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. However, the projections that have been made with regards to the aboriginal population in Canada tell that there would be 1.39 to 1.43 million people by 2017 and therefore, they would represent 4.1% of the entire population in Canada. Moreover, the population is expected to increase by 1.8% on an annual basis and this is because of the aboriginal birth rate which is 1.

5 times higher than the Canadian birth rate (CBC NEWS, 2006).  Aboriginal Traditional Medicine Traditional medicine plays a very vital role and is an essential for of First Nations health. However, it has not been given much importance by the health care system. A holistic model is used by the traditional medicine and its purpose is to ensure wellbeing by integrating a variety of aspects that include emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. Although there is a variation between the specific tribes, all tribes practice medicine on the belief that man is a part of nature, and health should be balanced.

This is the reason why land and its offerings are respected. Importance of using environment for foods which were traditional and medicines was understood by the traditional elders. Today, there are many alternative medical models that analyze health and body like traditional medicine did. Moreover, same philosophies are followed by alternative medical models which relate to well being of the human bodies and the environment (FNHC, 2011). There are various principles philosophies with regards to the treatment of whole person which include body, mind as well as spirit through health and well being.

Things such as plant, animal and mineral are used to make medicines. Moreover, the aboriginals have passed their knowledge and expertise to their future generations that have developed the ability of diagnosing and treating various conditions. Therapies such as “Naturopathic Medicine” can be accessed and can be used as alternative to conventional care. However, the federal government of Canada does not fund traditional medicine. In certain situations when individuals visit practitioner of alternative medicine are covered but naturopathic physicians do not bill the government.

This is the reason why it has become challenging for the patients to opt for health care which they prefers. Besides this, it has also become challenging for the clinics who need to hire the traditional healers (Elias, 1991). It was known to the women in the first nations which included the Inuit and the Metis that traditional healing can play a great deal for us, our families as well as for our communities. Since traditional healing is important, the government of Canada has also recognized it.

Although aboriginal medicine is becoming more and more important, there are still a lot of improvements that need to be made. Traditional healing provides treatment to the mind, body as well as the spirit. This approach is very much