Canadian Medical Association to recognize, apologize, for systemic racism and harm
The Canadian Medical Association has announced it will apologize to Indigenous people for the harm its policies and perspectives have caused through both action and inaction.
“By offering this apology, we hope to build trust with and support Indigenous Peoples, communities and organizations,” the association said in a statement on its website.
“We also aim to inspire medical learners, physicians and medical organizations to undertake their own reconciliation journey, professionally, and personally as Canadians.”
The apology will be delivered in Victoria, BC, on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋiʔnəŋ speaking people of Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations Sept. 18.
Canadian medical practitioners have contributed to systemic racism and inequality, including the devastating impacts of Indian Hospitals, forced medical experiments, child apprehensions and non-consensual sterilizations.
First Nations people in Canada have a significantly lower life expectancy than non-Indigenous people.
A report issued by the First Nations Health Authority of British Columbia earlier this summer found that life expectancy for Indigenous people in that province fell by six years between 2017 and 2021 to 67.2 years, compared to about 81.5 for non-Indigenous residents.
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