As National Truth and Reconciliation Day approaches, Canadians reflect on the suffering left behind by the residential school system and its impact on Indigenous people.
In the run-up to this day, the Canadian Medical Association published a national Apology to the indigenous peoplesfrom British Columbia’s provincial capital, and acknowledged the role of Canada’s health care system in erecting harmful barriers and perpetuating the difficulties Indigenous peoples face in accessing health care – at the systemic and individual levels, past and present. CMA President Dr. Joss Reimer humbly apologized to the association for the CMA’s role in perpetuating Indigenous racism in health care, in the hope that trust can be built and that in alliance with Indigenous peoples, Indigenous health can be improved and a better future achieved. Many provincial medical associations attended, including the Doctors of BC.
Doctors of BC recognizes the ongoing need to address anti-Indigenous racism in health care and is making every effort to take meaningful and concrete actions to create a culturally safe health care system for all.
We are committed to developing a truth and reconciliation plan in partnership with Indigenous leaders that considers the historic role of BC physicians and the profession, as well as the role we will play in the future. And through the work of the Joint Collaboration Committees, we are working with Indigenous partners to provide opportunities for physicians to learn and share the truth about Canada’s oppression of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing impacts of that oppression.
We are committed to this process as a BC professional association, as is the CMA nationally. As physicians, our calling is to care for others and provide a place for our patients to feel safe. This cannot be achieved without ensuring that culturally safe health care is provided to Indigenous peoples.
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