A Vulnerable Population: Inuit Children, Tuberculosis and Sanatoriums
- dlaforce1
- Nov 13, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 29, 2023
Canadian Aboriginal people endure a shorter lifespan and carry a disproportionate burden of physical and mental health challenges compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts (MacMillian et al., 1996, 2010; Tjepkema et al., 2023). This somber truth regarding health vulnerability sparked my curiosity, prompting me to explore the history of Hamilton's Chedoke Mountain Sanatorium, which was established to care for Inuit children stricken with tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB), a contagious bacterial disease primarily affecting the lungs and transmitted through airborne droplets (WHO, 2023), is believed to have arrived with European settlers. Between 1877 and 1927, TB surged as the leading cause of illness and death (BCCDC, 2015). In response, sanatoriums were built across Canada, offering patients rest, fresh air, and proper nutrition. Unfortunately, these well-intentioned efforts often led to the prolonged isolation of patients within sanatorium walls.
Thousands of Inuit patients, akin to the Residential School authority victims, were uprooted from their communities and brought south for treatment. Chedoke Mountain Sanatorium in Hamilton, Ontario, served as one of these treatment centers, witnessing the untold deaths of many patients, their families were left in the dark about their fate and burial sites. Hamilton's Sanatorium on the Mountain was once home to the largest year-round community of Inuit anywhere in the country. The discovery of streptomycin in 1946 marked a turning point, as the first antibiotic capable of killing the TB-causing bacterium. Nevertheless, the damage had been done.
While some may dismiss tuberculosis to the annals of history, the stark reality persists that TB remains a global and Canadian concern, enduring even in the wake of the discovery of antibiotics in the late 1940s. Despite being preventable and curable (WHO, 2023), TB maintains a distressing position among the top 10 global causes of death. Nowhere is this stark truth more evident than in Canada, where the tuberculosis rate among Inuit peoples is a staggering 290 times higher than for their non-Indigenous counterparts (Hogan, 2019).
Effectively addressing TB within First Nations communities necessitates solutions led by First Nations and community involvement that fosters trust and cultural competency. While it's crucial to dismantle barriers to access and bolster diagnostic and treatment capacities, a paramount focus should be on addressing the social determinants that underpin overall health. Inuit Peoples, for instance, require not just medical attention but also the foundations for a healthy life, including adequate household income, meaningful work and education, robust community connections, decent housing, and access to healthy food options (NCCID, 2023). It's by holistically addressing these determinants that we can hope to create enduring solutions to the persistent challenge of tuberculosis within Indigenous communities.
References
Gilbert, M. [Provincial Health Services Authority]. (2018, March 19). What is Tuberculosis? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg6MZFbFTJg
Hogan, S. (2019. March 11). CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/cbc-explains-tuberculosis-banerji-tb-1.5046336
MacMillian, H., MacMillian, A., Offord, D., Dingle, J. (1996). Aboriginal Health. Canadian Medical Association Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1334995/
MacMillian, H., Jamieson, E., Walsh. C., et al. (2010). The health of Canada’s Aboriginal children results from the First Nations and Inuit Regional Health Survey. Health of Canadian Aboriginal children. Retrieved November 10, 2023 from https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=dfeb41bf-4318-4426-af99-be308377957c%40redis
MacMillan, H., Walsh, C., Jamieson, E., et al. (2003). The Health of Ontario First Nations People. Canadian Journal of Public Health. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://0-link-springer-com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/content/pdf/10.1007/BF03405059?pdf=openurl
NCCID. (2023, April 27). Social Determinants and the Tuberculosis (TB) Journey in Northern First Nations Communities. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LPssR4jCy8
Richmond, C., Cook, C. (2016). Creating conditions for Canadian aboriginal health equity: the promise of health public policy. Public Health Reviews. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://publichealthreviews.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40985-016-0016-5
The BC (British Columbia) Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). (2015, November 20). History of TB in First Nations communities. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO-Rn70X3Io
Tjepkema, M., Bushnik, T., Bougie, E. (2019, December 18). Life expectancy of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit household populations in Canada. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2019012/article/00001-eng.htm
World Health Organization. (2023, November 7). Tuberculosis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis
Side Bar: Hamilton's Ongoing Reconciliation Journey with the Inuit People
While the Chedoke Mountain Sanatorium has ceased its operations, marking the end of an era, its legacy continues to shape Hamilton's commitment to reconciliation with the Inuit community. Despite the sale of the building and its surrounding lands, the city has recognized the historical significance of the Sanatorium's "shell." Consequently, it has been deemed a cultural artifact and will be preserved as an integral part of the redevelopment plans.
For those interested in learning more about the current state of the Sanatorium and Hamilton's commitment to the Inuit People, you may wish to explore the resource LINKS below.
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