Close X
    Saturday, November 16, 2024
    ADVT 
    National

    Canada's physicians formally apologize for harm to Indigenous communities

    Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Sep, 2024 04:11 PM
    • Canada's physicians formally apologize for harm to Indigenous communities

    The group representing Canada's physicians has formally apologized for the harm medical professionals caused to Indigenous Peoples, saying it is "deeply ashamed" and "owning its history" of racism, neglect and abuse.

    At an apology ceremony in Victoria attended by representatives from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, the Canadian Medical Association says it is sorry that it has lost the trust of Indigenous communities and has committed to righting its wrongs.

    The association says its research has found a history of harm caused by the Canadian medical profession, including "Indian hospitals, forced medical experimentation, forced sterilization and child apprehensions."

    The group also says research has turned up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.

    The association says both actions and inactions by Canadian physicians created deep mistrust by the Indigenous community towards health care systems, leading to further harm to members.

    Dr. Alika Lafontaine, the organization's first Indigenous president in its 157-year history, says in a video message ahead of the apology that "recognizing truth is essential to support healing, improve Indigenous health and reconcile the ties between health professionals and Indigenous patients."

    The group also says it is committed to tracking physicians' progress in addressing the harms caused, which includes providing regular updates about the association's Indigenous health initiatives.

    Prev Next

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Feds create $530M fund for cities to adapt to climate change

    Feds create $530M fund for cities to adapt to climate change
    Canadian cities and towns facing an uphill battle to stave off the effects of climate change will share more than half a billion dollars from a new federal adaptation fund. The Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative will offer up to $1 million to local governments for projects that upgrade or adjust their infrastructure and natural environment to be more protected from extreme weather events including floods, fires and major storms.

    Feds create $530M fund for cities to adapt to climate change

    Elenore Sturko leaves BC United party for Conservatives to 'defeat the NDP'

    Elenore Sturko leaves BC United party for Conservatives to 'defeat the NDP'
    Another BC United member has left the party to join the Conservative Party of BC just months before the provincial election. Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko says in a statement that she's joining the provincial Conservatives to "rebuild the coalition that's needed to defeat the NDP." 

    Elenore Sturko leaves BC United party for Conservatives to 'defeat the NDP'

    Vancouver driver arrested after crashing into vehicles, narrowly missing pedestrians

    Vancouver driver arrested after crashing into vehicles, narrowly missing pedestrians
    Vancouver police say they are recommending multiple dangerous driving and impaired driving charges for a man who crashed his car into several other vehicles and nearly hit pedestrians downtown last week. They say the driver of a white Mercedes allegedly "smashed into and sideswiped" a grey Mazda CX5 on Alberni Street around 10 p.m. on Friday.

    Vancouver driver arrested after crashing into vehicles, narrowly missing pedestrians

    IIO investigating man's death after officer shooting in Mackenzie

    IIO investigating man's death after officer shooting in Mackenzie
    British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating police actions after a man was shot and killed by an officer in Mackenzie, B.C. The BC RCMP say they received a report of a man trying to cash a fraudulent cheque at a bank around 2 p.m. on Saturday.

    IIO investigating man's death after officer shooting in Mackenzie

    Victoria bus fleet affected by Transport Canada recall: BC Transit

    Victoria bus fleet affected by Transport Canada recall: BC Transit
    BC Transit says several buses in its Victoria fleet are affected by a Transport Canada recall. The agency says a number of its CNG Vicinity Motor Corp. buses contain a manufacturer part that was in the recall.

    Victoria bus fleet affected by Transport Canada recall: BC Transit

    B.C. RCMP, Squamish Search and Rescue looking for missing climbers

    B.C. RCMP, Squamish Search and Rescue looking for missing climbers
    A spokeswoman for Squamish Search and Rescue in British Columbia says an "active search" is underway for three experienced mountaineers who have been missing since Friday. Christy Allan says in an interview that the climbers were last seen Friday morning on Atwell Peak, located on the southern edge of Mount Garibaldi.

    B.C. RCMP, Squamish Search and Rescue looking for missing climbers

    PrevNext