AIAI ACKNOWLEDGES THE CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
APOLOGY WITH RESERVATIONS

London, Ontario September 19th, 2024 – The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) recently issued a national public apology in the damage it has done to the Indigenous Peoples in the Health Care system and the roles it has played in many events that have caused so much harm to the Native Peoples and their families. The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) recognizes these words and while they are welcome and appreciated more needs to be done.
Grand Chief Joel Abram says “There has been a history of discrimination, racism, and an abuse of the system when it comes to the medical field and how they treated First Nations Peoples. So many have not gotten the proper care and treatment that they sought from the time of our great grandparents to even as recent as within these past few years. The words are encouraging but the damage that has been done runs deep for generations. I’m always wary of apologies when discriminatory practices continue to occur, and so the real test of the authenticity of this apology will be the actions of the CMA in addressing these issues in a substantial manner.”.
Deputy Grand Chief Stacia Loft says “It’s appalling when you hear stories from Indigenous Peoples who have faced such abuse from a system and professionals whose sole purpose is to treat and care for those that are in need of it. It’s commendable that they finally recognize what we have been saying for a long time, but now it is a time to make a real commitment to make sure the plan for reconciliation in healthcare becomes a reality.”
For their role in such atrocities as forced sterilizations, maltreatment, and racism the CMA has made a commitment recognizing that it will take time for trust to be rebuilt given the damage that was done.
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AIAI is mandated as a Political Territorial Organizations (PTO) to defend and enhance the Indigenous and Treaty rights of our seven member First Nations. Our member nations include: Batchewana First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Delaware Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Oneida Nation of the Thames, Wahta Mohawks, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Learn more at www.aiai.on.ca, on twitter @AIAI_comms and on Facebook
For more information and media inquires please contact Ira Timothy, Communications Coordinator for A.I.A.I at (519) 434-2761 or email at Itimothy@aiai.on.ca