The Métis do not experience poorer health than non-Indigenous communities because of their cultural practices or ethnicity. On the contrary, the Métis emerged from a vibrant, active history seeded in the fur trade and buffalo hunt. Rather, the trend toward a higher prevalence of illnesses among Métis is rooted in the intergenerational trauma that has resulted from systemic racism, oppressive and exclusionary colonial policies, and horrific assimilation. In 2013, a first-of-its-kind report noted that diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, respiratory disease, and stroke are especially common among Métis.

As she explains to host David Wylynko in this episode, guest Reagan Bartel has set out to reverse these trends. In her capacity as Director of Health for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Bartel is working to address the unique health challenges of the Métis in Alberta through advocacy efforts and the development of health-related programs and services. She focuses on partnerships that ensure Métis people are included in health policy and planning, and on addressing anti-Indigenous racism in health services. Bartel is excited and hopeful for the future of Métis health, and the creation of Métis health authorities that would allow for Métis owned and operated health clinics.

Resources

• Health Programs - Métis Nation of Alberta
• Health Status of the Métis Population of Alberta
• The True Canadians website
• Intro and outro music by Métis musician Alex Kusturok
• Opening quote from an address by Métis leader Jim Sinclair during the 1987 Canadian constitutional talks