Within Canada fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is understood mainly as a health & wellness concern of Aboriginal people. This is supported not only in the medical literature but also by the historical experience of Aboriginal peoples. However, among Aboriginal groups concern is growing that fetal alcohol syndrome has become a blanket term to medicalize social problems such as poverty, lack of educational opportunities, & structural racism & violence against Aboriginal peoples. Some Aboriginal groups have argued that the diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome is being used as a way to discredit Aboriginal peoples when negotiations for self-government are taking place. (79 refs.)