A History We Must Know: Harms in Health Care Against Indigenous Peoples

Canada's history of health care includes a painful and well-documented record of historical harms against Indigenous peoples. Two of those harms – the residential school system and the forced sterilization of Indigenous women – are not distant history. Their effects are still present in the lives and health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

The Residential School System

The residential school system was designed to eradicate the language, cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs of Indigenous children. More than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were forced to attend, and the last residential school did not close until the mid-1990s.

The health care system was not a bystander to this. Medical neglect, withholding of care, and medical experimentation on children without consent were some of the ways medicine upheld residential school policies and practices. The lasting effects on the physical and mental health of Indigenous peoples continue to this day.

Learn more: Residential schools and the effects on Indigenous health and well-being in Canada – a scoping review

Support services: Resources and support for Residential School Survivors, their families and communities are available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS). Visit irsss.ca

Forced Sterilization of Indigenous Women

Between 1971 and 1974, at least 551 sterilizations were performed on Indigenous women in federally operated "Indian Hospitals" across Canada. Coerced sterilization is one of many forms of violence committed against Indigenous women, and it strikes directly at fundamental sexual health and reproductive rights.

The impact of this history is ongoing and First Nations women continue to face barriers when attempting to access culturally safe sexual health care and supports, including conception, family planning, and abortion.

Indigenous-Led Resources

Nations are creating resources to capture the cultural teachings, language and traditions around pregnancy, childbirth and mothering to keep these learnings alive. This work, alongside many other stories of resilience and healing are outlined in the Sacred and Strong: Upholding our Matriarchal Roles report by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

It includes resources such as Videos for New Moms, which is a video series created by the FNHA with First Nations Elders and Knowledge Keepers to support life givers and their families before and after the sacred ceremony of birth. The six videos provide traditional teachings along with messages and words of encouragement for expectant mothers.