A Long Way from Home: The Tuberculosis Epidemic among the Inuit (McGill-Queens/Associated Medical Services Studies in the History of Medicine, Health, and Society) (Volume 2)

Based on recollections of patients, interviews with participants in the government programs, available literature and statistics, and records of the Northern Affairs Program, Grygier examines the programs for the Inuit in all parts of Canada. She also explores the history of tuberculosis in Canada, conditions of life in the North for both Inuit and non-Natives, and the development and modification of government administration of the North. This important study will be of interest to those in Native and northern studies, Canadian social and political history, and the history of medicine in Canada. A Long Way From Home Is The First Comprehensive Account Of The Tuberculosis Epidemic Among The Inuit In The Mid-part Of This Century. The Inuit Were Victims Not Only Of The Epidemic But Also Of The Canadian Government's Shockingly Slow Response And Lack Of Consideration For Their Culture. Focusing On Patients' Experiences And The Programs Set Up To Deal With The Epidemic, Rather Than On A Purely Medical Discussion Of The Disease And Treatment, A Voice Is Given To Those Involved And A Human Face To The Bare Statistics. Based On Recollections Of Patients, Interviews With Participants In Government Programs, Available Literature And Statistics, And Records Of The Northern Affairs Program, Pat Grygier Examines The Programs For The Inuit In All Parts Of Canada. Background Information On Tuberculosis In Canada, Conditions Of Life In The North At The Time For Both Inuit And Non-natives, And The Development And Modification Of Government Administration Of The North Are Also Covered. A Brief History Of Tuberculosis In Canada -- The Inuit People And The Arctic -- Other Players: The Hudson's Bay Company And The Missionaries -- Other Players: The Government And The Rcmp -- Emergence Of The Problem -- The Assault -- The Eastern Arctic Patrol -- Life In The San -- After The Hospital: Going Home, Or A Southern Grave -- The 1960s: New Measures In The Northwest Territories -- Distinct But Similar: The Epidemic In Quebec And Newfoundland -- The Balance Sheet: One Person's Point Of View -- Arctic Administration And Principal Events, 1870-1970 -- Interviews -- Hospitals To Which Inuit Were Sent, 1940s To 1960s -- Nanr Standard Eskimo Discharge Kit. Pat Sandiford Grygier. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents 8 Tables 10 Figures and Maps 12 Place Names 14 Abbreviations 16 Acknowledgments 18 Introduction 22 Illustrations following 26 PART ONE: SETTING THE SCENE 38 1 A Brief History of Tuberculosis in Canada 40 2 The Inuit People and the Arctic 53 3 Other Players: The Hudson's Bay Company and the Missionaries 66 4 Other Players: The Government and the RCMP 77 PART TWO: THE EVENTS 90 5 Emergence of the Problem 92 6 The Assault 103 7 The Eastern Arctic Patrol 123 8 Life in the San. 141 9 After the Hospital: Going Home, or a Southern Grave 154 10 The 1960s: New Measures in the Northwest Territories 170 11 Distinct but Similar: The Epidemic in Quebec and Newfoundland 189 PART THREE: CONCLUSIONS 210 12 The Balance Sheet: One Person's Point of View 212 APPENDICES 224 1 Arctic Administration and Principal Events, 1870–1970 226 2 Interviews 230 3 Hospitals to which Inuit Were Sent, 1940s to 1960s 232 4 NANR "Standard Eskimo Discharge Kit" 235 Notes 238 A Note on Sources 258 Credits 260 Index 262 A 262 B 262 C 262 D 263 E 263 F 264 G 264 H 264 I 265 J 266 K 266 L 266 M 266 N 267 O 267 P 268 Q 268 R 268 S 268 T 269 U 269 V 269 W 269 X 270 Y 270 This work offers a comprehensive account of the tuberculosis epidemic among the Inuit in the mid-part of this century.