Race Crime and Justice Tutorial Activity - Reducing Indiginous and non-Indigenous inequalities - Essay Example

Solutions for the Indigenous: Fighting Inequality Indigenous people face social problems at vary high rates compared to non-indigenous people. This is a problem that has persisted in spite of many efforts to turn it around. Some solutions have brought about positive changed, but the fact of the matter is that there is still much equality to be found between the indigenous and non-indigenous. Reporting on the amount of indigenous people in poverty it was stated that, “…indigenous peoples make up about 5 percent and about 10 percent of the world’s poor, yet they account for only 4 percent of the world’s total population”(Hall & Patrinos, 2010).

For this reason many continue to offer suggestions as to how this problem can be best addressed. Some feel that the government can play a significant role by establishing policies in favor of assisting indigenous people. For example, Paul Kauffman (2003) performed an exploration into the plight of indigenous people in the ‘New World’. He looked at the strength and weaknesses of Australia, Canada New Zealand, and the United States and was able to make some suggestions on polices that could be implemented in order to improve the situation of the indigenous.

Indigenous people tend to have shorter lifespans resulting from lack of access to proper medical care, higher rates of poor health habits, and even suicide (Kauffman). This shows a great inequality, as non-indigenous people tend to live longer. As a solution to this issue Kauffman suggested that the governments of the New World establish health programs that guarantee just and equal medical care by catering to indigenous people. However, health is just one of the issues that are causing inequality between indigenous and non-indigenous people.

Employment is another focal point. Kauffman suggested that agreements be established in Canada which “included training and work rights” (Kauffman) In addition, he addressed the issue of land for the indigenous in Australia, calling for housing loan programs whereby they can regain their territory in the North.Indigenous people in Australia suffer from high rates of homelessness. It was reported that “Despite a strong push to improve housing, 9248 people, or 1.9 per cent of the indigenous population, lacked a permanent place to call home in 3006 – the same figure as in 2001” (Homeless Aborigines situation still dire 2009).

Kauffman’s suggestion to create housing loan programs so that they can regain their territory may be productive for some but, unless the qualifications for obtaining the loan are very lax, it will not make a big difference in helping the indigenous people. Something that is more generous is called for so that they are able to gain housing. Finding an adequate solution for lowering the level of inequality between indigenous and non-indigenous people in the New World has proved to be quite a challenge.

Many of the solutions, such as the housing assistance programs in Australia, have proven to be ineffective. As well, no solution can be made to fit all four countries. Any effective plan must be designed to address a number of problems simultaneously and each country must have its own, customized solutions. However, a solution to this issue is possible. ReferencesHall, G. & Patrinos, H.A. (2010). Indigenous peoples poverty and development. Rough draft published during the ninth period sessions of the Permanent Forum for the Native Questions of the United Nations Hall, 19-30 of April.

Homeless Aborigines situation still dire. Smh.com. Sydney Morning Herald, 7 Oct. 2009. Web. 3 Nov. 2011. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/homeless-aboriginies-situation-still-dire-20091008-gnem.html Kauffman, P. (2003).Diversity and indigenous policy outcomes. International journal of diversity in organizations, communities and nations. (3):166-186.