Health inequities are the direct result of the impact of policies and actions that disempower and oppress communities and populations, leading to sub-standard social determinants of health (SDOH) inclusive of all categories: income, housing, access to employment and education, social structure, religious freedom, etc.
We can see how the two biggest systems that created the power and wealth of the United States were based on racist policies; chattel slavery and settler colonialism are the results of U.S. Government policies that benefited those in power. The disenfranchisement of African people who were brought here as slaves and their ancestors, and the Indigenous people who lived here prior to colonization and their ancestors, is now evident in multi-generational trauma, disparities in social determinants of health, and health inequities.
This article gives us a closer look at several of the significant policies in recent U.S. history that have impacted the health of Native Americans. This gives us a big-picture view of how policies impact social determinants of health which in turn impact health outcomes. It also zooms in and tells the story of the Day family - Dorene Waubanewquay Day's family in fact! Dorene is our guest instructor from the Introduction to Cultural Safety course. We get to learn about what it was like for her and her family to live through the experience created by the U.S. governmental relocation program and the aftermath.
Please note: We appreciate that it's hard to learn and unlearn dark parts of our history and for those students who experience trauma, oppression, or marginalization, reading about this may be difficult or triggering. Please take care of yourselves in any and all ways you have available to you, and reach out to your faculty if you have concerns about your experiences with this content. Assignment Instructions
Read this article about the American Indian Removal policies from the 1950s in the U.S.: Uprooted: The 1950s Plan to Erase Indian CountryLinks to an external site.
Disclaimer: The article includes a quotation using potentially sensitive and offensive language. Please know that this language does not reflect the perspective of FNU. The audio version of this article excludes this quotation.
Fill out this worksheet table Download worksheet tableOpen this document with ReadSpeaker docReaderbased on information in the article
Note: not every policy goes into great detail regarding the population implications, but you can infer some of the outcomes/inequities as you work through the table cumulatively
Please type your answers succinctly into the template provided. Calibri, Times New Roman, or Arial fonts are the easiest to read.
Answer the following questions:
Overall reflection from the article (free write).
What examples of Native American self-advocacy efforts (apart from the governmental policies) stood out to you from the article? Describe at least three.
Sample Answer
Worksheet Table: Impact of U.S. Policies on Native American Health
| Indian Removal Act of 1830 |
Forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river, known as the "Trail of Tears." |
Displacement and cultural disruption, loss of traditional ways of life, increased vulnerability to disease and poverty. |
Limited access to resources, health disparities, and increased rates of chronic diseases and mental health issues. |
| General Allotment Act (Dawes Act) of 1887 |
Divided tribal lands into individual allotments, with the intent of assimilating Native Americans into mainstream society. |
Loss of tribal land, erosion of tribal sovereignty, and increased poverty and vulnerability. |
Restricted access to traditional resources, limited economic opportunities, and health inequities due to poverty and lack of access to healthcare. |
| Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 |
Aimed to reverse the effects of the Dawes Act, promoting tribal self-governance and economic development. |
Some tribes regained control over their lands and resources, but many remained vulnerable to economic hardship and limited access to healthcare. |
Improved access to resources and self-determination for some tribes, but persisting inequities due to historical dispossession and systemic barriers. |
| Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946 |
Established a tribunal to hear and adjudicate claims of Native American tribes against the U.S. government for past land seizures and treaty violations. |
Some tribes received compensation for historical injustices, but the process was often lengthy and complicated, leaving many tribes with limited resources. |
Limited impact on social determinants of health, as compensation often did not address underlying issues of poverty, infrastructure, and healthcare disparities. |
| Indian Relocation Act of 1956 |
Encouraged Native Americans to relocate from reservations to urban areas, with the goal of assimilating them into mainstream society. |
Disrupted cultural ties, increased poverty and social problems, and further marginalized Native Americans in urban areas. |
Limited access to culturally appropriate healthcare, increased social isolation, and exacerbated existing health disparities. |
| Termination Policy of the 1950s |
Eliminated federal recognition and services to specific tribes, leaving them vulnerable to economic hardship and lack of support. |
Loss of tribal self-determination, increased poverty and health disparities, and further eroded cultural connections. |
Severed access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, exacerbating health inequities. |
Overall Reflection:
This article paints a stark picture of the devastating impact of U.S. government policies on Native American communities. These policies were not simply misguided attempts at assimilation; they were systematic attempts to erase Native American cultures, control their land, and deny them basic human rights. The consequences of this legacy are still felt today, in the form of persistent poverty, health disparities, and ongoing struggles for self-determination.