A Metis doctor and medical health researcher says Canada is in denial about
racism in the health care system and how Aboriginals have become “second class” citizens when it comes to treatment.
Dr. Janet Smylie authored a report called, “First Peoples, Second Class Treatment.” It found racism was pervasive — so bad, that some Aboriginal people would look for ways to avoid treatment rather than be subject to discrimination.
Smylie wrote the report for the Wellesely Institute, a Toronto-based health research and policy group. She says in many cases, the discrimination is subtle and not even intentional. She says recognizing it is a first step.
“One thing I saw in that whole media frenzy was that people were saying, ‘Well, at least we are admitting it’. So that is always the first step. It’s great in Saskatchewan that there is acknowledgement that this does occur. To move forward, though, blaming or sensationalizing the problem, those are not evidence-based approaches to resolution.”
Smylie says resolutions require a long-term strategy, education and special consideration for Aboriginal patients. She says they can no longer be considered to be on the outside looking in.
“Every day, for me I think, we need as human beings to challenge this unfortunate tendency we have to divide people into “In” groups and “Out” groups — people like us and people different from us — and then favour the “In” groups.”
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission has taken notice. Chief Commissioner David Arnot says the system needs to be fixed. Arnot says the human rights commission has met with the FSIN and is creating a plan of action. He says the commission will move towards action during the next fiscal year.