The Coerced Sterilization of Indigenous Women By Maryjianne Samson

The Coerced Sterilization of Indigenous Women 

By Maryjianne Samson | Ms. Walling’s blogspot | Posted: January 17, 2020 

Photo by Lorena Lopes.

The practice of coerced sterilization came from the eugenics movement in the early 20th century. Canada took part in this movement, involving two provinces that passed down the act up until the 1970. There had been several reforms surrounding this issue and It should have left in the past, however, it continues to prevail in the 21st century and the problem is that such a notion is mainly prominent in Indigenous women.  

“It is impossible not to conclude that this arises from a context of deeply entrenched racism and colonialism. This is tied up with stereotypes of Indigenous women as being incapable mothers” 

- Alex Neve  

Brenda Pelletier is one of the victims of coerced sterilization. 10 years ago, she gave birth to her daughter at the Royal University Hospital. During that time, she was a recovering drug addict and had 6 children that were in the care of their grandmother. The social worker informed her that she should get a tubal ligation before she leaves the hospital. There, she was pressured to sign consent forms to get the procedure done. She continuously refused but was eventually exhausted from the constant pressure that was placed upon her. Therefore, she signed the consent paper. 

Pelletier is just one out of the many cases of indigenous women who are forced into signing the consent form for sterilization. There had been countless reports of forced sterilization that continue to prove the disturbing truth that modern-eugenics continues today. The problem lies among the health professionals who carried out the eugenics idea and implemented it to Indigenous families today. Their reason? “For their own good” Overall, these doctors believe they are helping the indigenous community by sterilizing the women for pregnancy reduction as well as poverty alleviation.  

However, this just further proves the discrimination in the healthcare system for Indigenous people.  Ultimately, this problem occurs because of the judgment of medical professionals upon the individuals. Although there has been more awareness regarding this issue, there is still a lack of action from the government. Currently, there is a class-action lawsuit involving 60 Indigenous women. These women who are wrongfully sterilized still awaits to receive the prolonged justice they deserve. There must be an enforced investigation onto who is accountable for these actions. They have simply robbed these women from the ability to give birth and as Canadians, we must stand up for these victims. We must take action by formulating campaigns that spread more awareness and to draw the government’s attention concerning this issue. 

Photo Citation:

Lopes, Lorena. "Naked Pregnancy Free Photo". Needpix. https://www.needpix.com/photo/1265124/naked-belly-pregnancy-pregnant-pregnant-woman-gestation-black-and-white-woman-body .Web. 17 Jan.2020

Work cited:

Stote, Karen. “Sterilization of Indigenous Women in Canada”. The Canadian Encyclopedia, 17. Apr.2019. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sterilization-of-indigenous-women-in-canada.Web. 15 Jan. 2020. 

Rao, Ankita. “Indigenous Women in Canada Are still Being Sterilized Without Their Consent”. Vice, 9. Sep.2019. https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/9keaev/indigenous-women-in-canada-are-still-being-sterilized-without-their-consent. Web. 16 Jan. 2020. 

“’I didn’t want it done’: Saskatoon woman was sterilized against her will”. CBC News, 18. Nov. 2015. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatoon-woman-sterilized-against-will-1.3324980.Web. 16 Jan. 2020.