Inequality to Indigenous People: A Sociological Perspective

Running head: INEQUALITY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
INEQUALITY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
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1INEQUALITY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Introduction:
Every year countries across the world represent the reports on the condition of
aboriginals. In most of the reports, the negative conditions are highlighted for they are indeed
disadvantaged and deprived of equal rights (Einarsson, 2014). Sociological theory helps in
explaining a social phenomenon. The reasons that justify the social phenomenon through the
study of human behaviour, human life and human society (Luhmann, 2017). Since the beginning
of scientific reasoning people have relied on theories, similarly, this essay aims to discuss the
social issue, inequality to indigenous people, utilising social theory. In order to understand the
reasons for the inequality existing toward the indigenous people the essay has been carried out.
Social issue:
Indigenous people consists of more than 370 million people of total population. They are
found in more than 70 countries across the world. Similar to any other groups in society, they
have their own cultural norms, language, institutions and customs (Smylie & Firestone, 2016).
However, these practices are different than another part of the societies that makes it a
distinguishing feature. Any universal definition of indigenous people is no there however, they
are often known by the national terms. Aboriginal people, native people, first nation and many
more are some of the examples. According to WHO, these are the communities that live within,
they are committed to geographically distinct traditional habitats or territories belonging to their
ancestors (Mesfin, Tekle & Tesfay, 2013). They identify themselves as a distinct cultural group.
Indigenous groups are descended from groups present in the areas before modern states were
formed and present borders were defined. Indigenous people prefer to sustain their cultural and

2INEQUALITY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
societal identities and social, political, economic and cultural institutions that are isolated from
the dominant or mainstream society or culture.
Indigenous people are faced with several challenges in society. Due to distinct cultural
factors they have been deprived of several fundamental rights for a very long time. Although
there have been profound actions taken in order to eliminate the problems of indigenous people,
the process is severely slow. Indigenous people are constantly struggling in the society in order
to survive decently and avail the fundamental human rights that every person is eligible for. It is
also important to know that it is not a news to anyone anymore as people are well aware of the
ways dice are loaded against indigenous people. The major challenges that are faced by
indigenous people are as follows:
 Poor health: poorer health is observed widely among the indigenous people due to chronic
diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. There is an inevitable link between the income
source, social factors and education that creates obstacle to a healthy lifestyle.
 Low education levels: It is a well-known factor that colonialism is responsible for various
bitter, demoralizing legacies and among all the issues education system is one of the root
because that have spoilt majority of the system.
 Inadequate appropriate housing: indigenous people who usually prefer staying in their own
territories belonging to their ancestors have been intervened by modernization. This have led
to homelessness of the indigenous population.
 Low income: the median income for aboriginal people are far lesser than the non-indigenous
people. The earning gap between the indigenous and non-indigenous people have made the
group lack behind.