A timely gift this season could be Canada taking a stand against racism

Indigenous peoples face a much higher risk of most diseases, and much higher risks for COVID-19. One of the largest factors contributing to this inequity today, is the historic racism which denied health care outright or denied health-care funded equitably to non-Indigenous Canadians.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, pictured on the Hill on Nov. 8, 2019, recently said when he heard that the federal government allocated COVID-19 vaccines for First Nations in his province: 'this hurts Manitobans, to put it mildly … this is unfair,' which is racist to Indigenous people and the silence from public health experts, politicians, and Canadian leaders has been deafening, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY ROSE LEMAY

December 14, 2020

OTTAWA—The original intent of First Nations reserves was noted by Lt.-Gen. Sir Francis Bond Head in a report to Upper Canada in 1836: places for Indians to go die in peace away from the horrified eyes of the settlers, because obviously Indians “should still continue to wither, droop, and vanish ...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy