‘Deeply ashamed’: Canadian Medical Association apologizes for harms to Indigenous peoples
The organization representing Canada’s doctors has issued a formal apology for the harms the medical profession has caused Indigenous Peoples.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) made the apology Wednesday at a ceremony in Victoria, attended by representatives of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples.
CMA president Dr. Joss Reimer said the organization was “deeply ashamed” for the “deplorable” racism, discrimination and physical and psychological harms Indigenous people have faced as a result of the actions and inactions of physicians both historically and today.
“To Indigenous Peoples living in Canada, we apologize to you, we are sorry, we are sorry we have lost your trust and the harms that you, your ancestors, your families and your communities have experienced,” she said.
“We acknowledge there are ripple effects on future generations. We take ownership of the CMA’s history and we are committed to righting our wrongs and rebuilding our relationship on a foundation of trust, accountability and reciprocity.”
The said association conducted a review of its records regarding the treatment of Indigenous Peoples as a part of its commitment to reconciliation.
CMA board member and Mi’kmaw physician Dr. Paula Cashin said that research had revealed how the association contributed to systemically embedding and upholding anti-Indigenous racism in Canada.
Examples included the racially segregated “Indian hospital” system, where “Indigenous patients received substandard and unsafe care. Patients were subjected to abuse, experimental treatments and forced and coerced sterilization,” she said.
“Medical experimentation was conducted on Indigenous children in residential schools, including the effects of malnourishment and
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