Rapid Responses to:

EDITORIALS: Chris Cunningham and Fiona Stanley Indigenous by definition, experience, or world view BMJ 2003; 327: 403-404 [Full text]

Rapid Responses: Submit a response to this article

Rapid Responses published:

Indigenous definition

Michael G. O'Toole   (22 August 2003)

Indigenous?

Martin S McKendry   (27 August 2003)

incorrect definitions of First Nations

Jaime Mishibinijima   (26 April 2006)

Metis and Inuit are not First Nations

Jean L becker   (10 February 2009)

Indigenous definition 22 August 2003
Michael G. O'Toole, Research Associate School of Pharmacy, Trinity College Dublin Send response to journal: Re: Indigenous definition	The term "Indigenous" is used to describe the indigenous pharmaceutical industry in a country. In the same context Indigenous health may be used to describe the aspects of health which a local community or village can manage from within that community. These include provision of clean water, sanitation, basic education for young mothers and care of the local environment. Could not such health measures of a local community be considered indigenous, regardless of the ethnic origins of the local community. (see www.tcd.ie/People/Michael.OToole) Competing interests:   None declared
Indigenous? 27 August 2003
Martin S McKendry, GP Principal GU3 3NA Send response to journal: Re: Indigenous?	I support all the content of this issue of Indigenous Health. But I somethimes feel I am being dictated to and told, what I am meant to think or believe, or even who I am. I assume Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal's model of peoples defines me as being part of the peoples that have a "western view", because of my christian beliefs, my Celtic/European ancestry, and the fact my ancestors arrived in Aoteraroa/New Zealand as part of European immigration to the country. But this then denies me one of the central beliefs of my existence, i.e. placing a "special significance on the idea of the unification of the humans with the natural world". Please don't tell me who/what I am. I request that I should be given the right to define who and what I am. Other articles in this issues emphasise the importance of ethnicity being defined by self. I feel models such as Mr Royal's deny me this. Competing interests:   New Zealand born Pakeha GP, born in the shadow of the Mt Hutt range, suffering the scourge of the Nor -Wester in my upbringing, beside the waters of the Rakaia River, of Celto-Catholic bloodlines. Currently working in the UK, to be with my Anglo-Belgian-Russian wife's family.
incorrect definitions of First Nations 26 April 2006
Jaime Mishibinijima, Aboriginal Student Advisor/PhD student University of Guelph Send response to journal: Re: incorrect definitions of First Nations	First Nations in Canada refers only to Native people/Indians. It does not refer to Metis or Inuit people as noted in this article. The term "Aboriginal" is the term used to describe all three distinctive groups. The US does not use the term "First Nations". Competing interests: None declared
Metis and Inuit are not First Nations 10 February 2009
Jean L becker, Elder in Residence Wilfrid Laurier University Send response to journal: Re: Metis and Inuit are not First Nations	The information you are giving regarding "indigenous" people in Canada is wrong. First Nations refers only to status Indians, not the Metis and Inuit, although the term "aboriginal" refers to all three. Competing interests: None declared