Close X
    Wednesday, November 13, 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up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.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

    B.C. couple partially victorious in bankruptcy fight with securities regulator

    B.C. couple partially victorious in bankruptcy fight with securities regulator
    The case involved a B.C. couple, Thalbinder Singh Poonian and Shailu Poonian, who were ordered by the British Columbia Securities Commission to pay $13.5 million in administrative penalties and $5.6 million to repay those who lost money in a market manipulation scheme that "caused vulnerable investors to lose millions of dollars."

    B.C. couple partially victorious in bankruptcy fight with securities regulator

    'Not out of the woods': Jasper wildfire still out of control, hotter weather expected

    'Not out of the woods': Jasper wildfire still out of control, hotter weather expected
    A fire rampaging through Jasper National Park remained out of control Wednesday, while officials worked to restore power and water in the park's townsite and to hash out a plan for vacationers to retrieve their stranded camping trailers.

    'Not out of the woods': Jasper wildfire still out of control, hotter weather expected

    Landslide sets off evacuation order for those living along B.C.'s Chilcotin River

    Landslide sets off evacuation order for those living along B.C.'s Chilcotin River
    A landslide blocking a river in British Columbia's central Interior has injured a man and prompted the Cariboo Regional District to issue evacuation orders due to "immediate danger to life and safety" caused by flooding triggered by the slide. The two evacuation orders span 107 square kilometres along the Chilcotin River southwest of the City of Williams Lake.

    Landslide sets off evacuation order for those living along B.C.'s Chilcotin River

    Triple stabbings in Vancouver

    Triple stabbings in Vancouver
    Police say a 29-year-old man has been charged in relation to a series of stabbings in downtown Vancouver last week. Officers responded last Monday night to reports that a man in his early 30s had been stabbed in the back, followed by two more stabbings in the same area.

    Triple stabbings in Vancouver

    Coast Guard to end staffing at two B.C. lighthouses, following safety concerns

    Coast Guard to end staffing at two B.C. lighthouses, following safety concerns
    Fisheries and Oceans Canada says "aids to navigation" will continue operating at both the Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations located along the Vancouver Island coast that's also home to the famed West Coast Trail. The light keepers will move out of the buildings before winter weather arrives.

    Coast Guard to end staffing at two B.C. lighthouses, following safety concerns

    Opposition BC United party looks to add former Liberal party name to election ballot

    Opposition BC United party looks to add former Liberal party name to election ballot
    BC United communications director Adam Wilson says the party is preparing to formally apply to Elections BC to have a phrase acknowledging that it was formally known as the B.C. Liberals included on the ballot for the election this fall. 

    Opposition BC United party looks to add former Liberal party name to election ballot

    PrevNext