Apology from the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba

February 27, 2023

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba met with the Manitoba Inuit Association Staff and Board members on February 27/23 to provide a public statement and apology on Truth & Reconciliation to the Inuit for racism experienced in their medical care in Manitoba. "This apology to Inuit from the CPSM is a step in the right direction", President & Board Chair, Marti Ford.

Manitoba Inuit Association serves Inuit throughout Manitoba, this includes individuals travelling to Manitoba to seek medical care. There are over 15,000 medical visits from Inuit travelling from Nunavut, and over 1,500 Inuit that call Manitoba home.

CPSM's failure to regulate the medical profession's Indigenous-specific racism has occurred over CPSM's 150 year history and has failed the Inuit Community with mistreatment, resulting in poor health outcomes and negative experiences that affect the social determinants of Inuit health. CPSM recognizes Truth & Reconciliation and the need for culturally specific training, education and care and in the medical treatment of Inuit children, familes and elders, First Nations, Metis. Western medicine has not served the Indigenous population well causing inter-generational trauma.

CPSM pledges to take action to end racism through its commitment to bring forward regulatory action for the medical community to address these contributing factors. This includes the land acknowledgment for CPSM in which the Manitoba Inuit Association worked with the Provinical government of Manitoba to include Inuit in their land acknowledgment.

"Inuit of Manitoba accept this historic apology and it is great to see that we no longer feel that we have to justify all the wrongdoings that has went on for so long in the health system. Although an apology is an amazing step in the right direction, it is meaningless without action" Marti Ford quoted.

Inuit live by Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles and Societal Values; Respecting others, relationships and caring for people. Manitoba Inuit Association looks forward to working together and continuing their relationship with the CPSM to ensure that racist treatment of Inuit, First Nations and Metis will eventually be a thing of the past.

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