Med Anthropol. 1990 Aug; 12(3): 325-48.

Access to traditional medicine in a western Canadian city.

Waldram JB.

Department of Native Studies, University of Saskatechewan, Saskatoon, Canada.

This paper examines the question of access to traditional Indian medical systems in the western Canadian city of Saskatoon. The data demonstrate that many Natives desire such access, and do not see difficulties in having Indian healers available in Western-style biomedical clinics. A variety of language variables proved to be the best predictors of access questions, indicating that those with the greatest cultural adherence were most likely to want a more formal access. It is argued that a lack of access to traditional Indian medical services represents a legitimate health need. Considerations for the implementation of such a formal access to traditional Indian medicine are discussed.