The applicability of A. R. Omran's 'epidemiologic transition' theory to subarctic Indians in Canada is examined in a historical review of health and demographic data. The major trends since the time of European contact include the rise-and-fall of infectious diseases, the emergence of chronic, degenerative diseases, and the preeminence of the social pathologies in the post-World War II era. The divergences of the Amerindian experience from the 3 models in the epidemiologic transition theory and their implications for health care delivery are discussed.