THE PANDEMIC FROM AN INDIGENOUS STANDPOINT: A CASE STUDY OF COVID-19 AND NATIVE AMERICANS

With rising coronavirus numbers across the globe, Native Americans are disproportionately affected owing to high mortality rate, pre-existing medical conditions (Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases), lack of early warning system, resource allocation, delayed response relief and inadequate health and social services system. In addition to it, there is significant gap in data projections of Indigenous infections. The research paper firstly, addresses this invisibility and probes reasons for high mortality rate and worst health outcomes within the community. It looks at how the fight against COVID-19 for the indigenous communities of North America is much more layered and complex and why the burden of epidemics/pandemics lie heavily on Native Americans. The paper also highlights how the present-day pandemic exacerbates historical vulnerabilities for American Indian. A deeper analysis into history of Native Americans in conjunction with diseases reveal how five hundred centuries old Colonialism is at the heart of social, thus health inequities. The paper elicits how structural violence and systemic racism cripples Native Nations in their responses to disease. It elucidates how the Coronavirus when read in conjunction with Native American history reveals the story of Settler Colonialism and that of Indigenous resilience. Finally, the paper looks at how Indigenous health is not a marginal subject, instead shapes culture in fundamental ways.