Close X
    Thursday, November 14, 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up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.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

    Motorcyclist injured in crash

    Motorcyclist injured in crash
    Mounties in Richmond are looking for more witnesses and dashcam footage after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash on Sunday. R-C-M-P say witnesses told investigators that the motorcycle collided with another vehicle before the Audi S-U-V made a left turn into a residential driveway.

    Motorcyclist injured in crash

    B.C. promises expanded gynecological cancer care, new programs in Surrey, Kelowna

    B.C. promises expanded gynecological cancer care, new programs in Surrey, Kelowna
    The British Columbia government is bringing in new programs to address the growing demand for gynecological cancer surgical care in Kelowna and Surrey. Premier David Eby says the new services, and expansions of programs that already exist in Vancouver and Victoria, will nearly double the number of surgeons providing the cancer care in B.C. from eight to 15.

    B.C. promises expanded gynecological cancer care, new programs in Surrey, Kelowna

    More than 250 wildfires in B.C. as hot and dry weather persists

    More than 250 wildfires in B.C. as hot and dry weather persists
    More than 250 wildfires are burning in British Columbia as much of the province continues to bake under a heat wave that is expected to last into next week. Cliff Chapman with the BC Wildfire Service said Thursday the province appeared to be "on the precipice of a very challenging 72 hours" with hot and dry weather, dry lightning and strong winds forecast.

    More than 250 wildfires in B.C. as hot and dry weather persists

    B.C. Conservatives pitch health-care changes, more private clinics

    B.C. Conservatives pitch health-care changes, more private clinics
    John Rustad acknowledges that if his party were to form government in October the plan would cause the provincial budget to "spike," but says in the long-term it will bring down per-capita health-care spending.

    B.C. Conservatives pitch health-care changes, more private clinics

    B.C. tribunal orders woman to pay ex $450 for Coldplay ticket she thought was a gift

    B.C. tribunal orders woman to pay ex $450 for Coldplay ticket she thought was a gift
    A British Columbia woman has been ordered to pay her former romantic partner $450 for her ticket to attend a Coldplay concert together on what she said she believed was a date. But the province's Civil Resolution Tribunal says in a ruling that there was no evidence Michael Stolfi intended the ticket to be a gift to Alyssa Randles, and that instead it was a loan that the woman had to repay.

    B.C. tribunal orders woman to pay ex $450 for Coldplay ticket she thought was a gift

    2 dead, 1 hurt in plane crash in Tofino

    2 dead, 1 hurt in plane crash in Tofino
    RCMP say two people are dead after the crash of a small aircraft at the Long Beach Airport in Tofino on Vancouver Island. Police say a third person has been seriously injured in the crash involving a six-seat aircraft.

    2 dead, 1 hurt in plane crash in Tofino

    PrevNext