Close X
    Monday, November 18, 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up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.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

    Robots and drones to work in Kelowna

    Robots and drones to work in Kelowna
    Drones and robots will be put to work in the orchards of Kelowna this spring as part of a pilot project to promote what the equipment maker calls "precision farming."  The city is collaborating with B.C. company InDro Robotics to use its aerial drones and ground-roving industrial robots to patrol 80 hectares of apple, pear, and cherry trees to monitor fruit health and growth. 

    Robots and drones to work in Kelowna

    Port Moody police get digital crisis tool for mental health, addiction calls

    Port Moody police get digital crisis tool for mental health, addiction calls
    Police officers in Port Moody, B.C., are about to start using a digital public safety system to de-escalate and navigate situations that involve mental health and addiction, Mike Farnworth, solicitor general and public safety minister, said Wednesday. 

    Port Moody police get digital crisis tool for mental health, addiction calls

    BOC holds key interest rate at 5%

    BOC holds key interest rate at 5%
    Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says we've come a long way in our fight against high inflation but it's still too soon to start lowering interest rates. The central bank has done as expected and kept its key interest rate steady at five per cent.

    BOC holds key interest rate at 5%

    'I'm too far away': Five Canadians dead in plane that crashed near downtown Nashville

    'I'm too far away': Five Canadians dead in plane that crashed near downtown Nashville
    The pilot of a single-engine plane that crashed near downtown Nashville told air traffic controllers he could see the runway they were clearing for an emergency landing. But he said he couldn’t reach it. The pilot had another adult and three children on board, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Aaron McCarter said at a Tuesday news conference. He said the five were Canadian citizens and the agency is working with the Canadian government to determine their identities. 

    'I'm too far away': Five Canadians dead in plane that crashed near downtown Nashville

    Re-arrest for Vancouver sex offender

    Re-arrest for Vancouver sex offender
    Vancouver police say a high-risk sex offender who was serving a five-year long-term supervision order was rearrested last week. Police had issued a public warning on February 26th that Skylar Wayne Pelletier had been released from custody and was living in Vancouver. The 24-year-old was previously convicted of sexual assault, assault, and break and enter.

    Re-arrest for Vancouver sex offender

    Grandparent scam in Kelowna

    Grandparent scam in Kelowna
    Kelowna RCMP say they are looking for a woman who's involved in a recent scam targeting the elderly. Police say the suspect reportedly took money from an elderly woman after someone pretending to be an officer called the victim about her grandson being arrested and needing to pay a bond.

    Grandparent scam in Kelowna

    PrevNext