Indigenous women coerced into sterilization across Canada

[rubecube]

Kind of shocked to not see this being discussed anywhere here. Absolutely sickening stuff.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ste...nous-1.4902303

When she was 17 years old, Liz was coerced by a Children's Aid worker into having an abortion and being sterilized at a northwestern Ontario hospital, she says — an experience she's carried for 40 years.

"It was a matter of me almost [being] cornered, if you will, by my worker at the time saying, 'You better have an abortion because if you don't, either way, we are going to take that child from you'," Liz says.

New research shows the forced sterilization of Indigenous women is not just a shameful part of Canadian history. Reports from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the territories suggest it is still happening.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/...FNQFPe2XPVndtM

"In the throes of labour ... they would be approached, harassed, coerced into signing these consent forms," said Alisa Lombard, an associate with Maurice Law, the first Indigenous-owned national law firm in Canada.

The women would be told that they could not leave until their tubes were tied, cut or cauterized, she added, or that "they could not see their baby until they agreed."

[Scornfire]

What the ####

[Coach]

That's messed up and needs to change immediately. What a disgrace.

[Cole436]

In the long list of atrocities committed against the First Nations by the Canadian government, this is both horrific and at the same time unsurprising.

[burn_this_city]

I wonder if this wasn't done to anyone low on the socio-economic ladder that they deemed unsuitable parents. Pretty appalling.

[Bownesian]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I wonder if this wasn't done to anyone low on the socio-economic ladder that they deemed unsuitable parents. Pretty appalling.

My non-indigenous great aunt was sterilized in the 60's. She was mentally slow and kept having pregnancies so got her tubes tied, likely with some coercion from the docs and/or her parents.

It is appalling by today's standards, but was not uncommon in mid-century times.

[CliffFletcher]

Sterilization wasn't confined to Aboriginal women. It was used on the poor, the mentally deficient, the underaged, the promiscuous - anyone deemed 'unfit.' However, aboriginal women were disproportionally affected, with Aboriginal and Metis women making up 25% per cent of those sterilized in Alberta.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compul...tion_in_Canada

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Sterilization wasn't confined to Aboriginal women. It was used on the poor, the mentally deficient, the underaged, the promiscuous - anyone deemed 'unfit.' However, aboriginal women were disproportionally affected, with Aboriginal and Metis women making up 25% per cent of those sterilized in Alberta.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compul...tion_in_Canada

Cliff, you do realize we're talking about coerced sterilization that happened in 2017, right?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I doubt he does - I didn't until I read the full article. The parts you quoted make it sound like new allegations about historical practices.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I doubt he does - I didn't until I read the full article. The parts you quoted make it sound like new allegations about historical practices.

If only I had quoted a portion of the article which noted it's still happening...

Reports from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the territories suggest it is still happening.

[afc wimbledon]

I'm always torn by this one, you spend some time with the product of an unplanned pregnancy by a heavily addicted teen you do wish she hadn't had any FASD ADHD or just generally screwed up kids

[activeStick]

This is horrible.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by rubecube

If only I had quoted a portion of the article which noted it's still happening...

Who else scrolled up to see if rubecube had also edited that first post?

I did have the first thought that it must be historical. Trudeau needs to address this immediately.

[BloodFetish]

Trudeau? He'll apologize, then dress in traditional native clothing and pose for a photo shoot.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I'm always torn by this one, you spend some time with the product of an unplanned pregnancy by a heavily addicted teen you do wish she hadn't had any FASD ADHD or just generally screwed up kids

After spending 3 weeks in the NICU with my son it is absolutely heart breaking to see kids who are born with addiction trying to normalize. I don’t know what the answer is but It breaks your heart to witness.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

After spending 3 weeks in the NICU with my son it is absolutely heart breaking to see kids who are born with addiction trying to normalize. I don’t know what the answer is but It breaks your heart to witness.

Nor do I but duping teenage girls into sterilization probably isn't the right way to go about it.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Nor do I but duping teenage girls into sterilization probably isn't the right way to go about it.

I think everyone under the age of 25 should be on mandatory birth control, and be forced to write an exam/pass a course if they want to be removed from the program.

[afc wimbledon]

The answer is depo provera, with a clothing allowance or some other reward for getting it

[MBates]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

The answer is depo provera, with a clothing allowance or some other reward for getting it

Your solution to government coercion over a human being regarding reproductive autonomy is for the government to use a basic necessity like clothing as a “reward” for getting an injection that controls that human being’s reproductive autonomy?

I think you might be missing a point or two here.

[burn_this_city]

To be fair, he's a foster parent that has to step in and pick up the pieces when inevitably a child is unable to be cared for.