Defining Human Security: When Trust Feels Out Of Reach
by Broden Halcrow-Ducharme
Human security depends on trust —trust that, when something goes wrong, someone will respond. But when that trust is broken, safety feels far away. The absence of security is not only about danger; it is also about silence, delay, and the feeling that no one is listening.
When help takes too long to arrive or people are ignored, the promise of safety begins to fade. Real protection is not just about preventing harm. It is about accountability, about making sure that systems built to care for people actually do. Safety must be backed by action, empathy, and a willingness to change.
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In many Indigenous communities, the lack of safety is part of a much larger story. Years of underfunding, limited access to healthcare, and slow responses to crises have created deep mistrust in the systems meant to protect. This is not only a matter of perception; it has been documented for decades through national reports and inquiries.
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The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have each shown how federal and provincial systems have failed to provide equitable support for Indigenous people. Communities continue to face lower funding for schools, housing, and infrastructure compared to other Canadians.
When safety feels out of reach, it shows us where our structures fall short. Promises of care mean little if they are not followed by real commitment and accountability. Governments, organizations, and communities must work together to rebuild trust, investing in prevention and ensuring that responses are guided by dignity, respect, and cultural understanding.
Human security is a shared responsibility. Everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and protected. When we listen to those who feel unsafe, when we act with compassion, and when we hold systems accountable, safety becomes something real again.
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True security is not about control. It is about care, about creating a world where no one is left behind and where every person can trust that their safety matters.
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