Canadian doctors decide whether Indigenous women are fit to be mothers
Last August, when I was in the middle of covering the federal election, I got an email from W5 about a story they needed my help with — the forced sterilization of Indigenous women.
While I was excited to expose what was happening to women in my community, this story had a sad, familiar ring to me. A few years ago, my sister Jackie told me that she was sterilized against her will after she gave birth to my nephew Darian. She didn’t find out until many years later. At the time she says her doctor did not want to be associated with the findings and told her to get another test at another place for fear of losing his job.
Like my sister’s story, the same disturbing pattern emerged when I talked with other Indigenous women who said they were forced to get sterilized.
During labour there was a complication that required a C-section. The women signed a consent form for that surgery, but minutes before, and sometimes even on route to the OR, their doctor added tubal ligation.
Now remember, these are women in full labour, panicked about the health of their baby, at their most vulnerable, and only given minutes to consent to a permanent, life altering procedure.
Melika Popp, one of the women I interviewed for the story, described how she felt when her doctor added tubal ligation to her consent form.
“It didn't really feel at the time I had the option of saying no. Like these doctors are there to help me, I believed it at the time. And I believe I was in survival mode,” she said.
Melika Popp speaks with W5Melika is one of the lead plaintiffs in a proposed class action lawsuit for the forced sterilization of Indigenous women in Saskatchewan.
Her lawyer Alisa Lombard said over a hundred women have contacted her since the class action was launched in 2017.
While Lombard is passionate about getting justice for her clients, she also said it’s “terribly sad. There was a time that for months on end, you know, I would get calls probably every other day.”
Today there are 5 proposed class actions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec involving thousands of Indigenous women, according to Lombard.
Many of the women who said they were sterilized against their will come from Saskatchewan.
W5 reached out to the doctors named in the proposed class action lawsuit in that province, but their lawyer said because the matter is still before the courts they couldn't comment on the case.
We also contacted Paul Merriman, Saskatchewan’s health minister. He said he wouldn’t appear on camera, but in a statement said, “a new tubal ligation consent policy and procedure was made effective as of June 16, 2021.”
Finally, Canada’s attorney general was named in Lombard’s proposed class actions in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In the 1970s, the federal government ran an “Indian hospital” where, according to hospital records, 1,150 Indigenous women were sterilized.
The attorney general also declined W5’s request for an interview, but Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) along with her office replied with statements that said they’re working with provincial governments to "increase safety and respect for Indigenous women in Canada’s health care system."
ISC also mentioned giving funds to several Indigenous women’s organizations including: The Native Women’s Association of Canada, National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health and Indigenous midwives and doulas. Finally, they said they pledged an additional $126.7 million over the next three years.
But promises from provincial and federal governments do little to reassure Melika Popp and Alisa Lombard.
Melika said she believes the forced sterilization of Indigenous women is still happening in Canada today and that’s why she agreed to share her story with W5.
“I just don't want any woman to ever experience this kind of violation, this kind of…sadness, you know, with this feeling of not being complete as a woman,” she said.
Lombard acknowledged that some people still hold the misconception that Indigenous women don’t make good mothers and that might be why their doctors think they should be sterilized.
When I asked her what she thought of people who believed Indigenous women can’t look after their children, she said, "Honestly, I would thank them, for exhibiting the very types of prejudices and stereotypes that give rise to the problem to begin with."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6956926.1720544990!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
The remnants of hurricane Beryl are heading to Canada. Here's where it's expected to land
A since-downgraded hurricane that claimed several lives and left a wake of destruction in its path is forecast to strike parts of Canada this week as a tropical storm.
Argentina shows its class in 2-0 win over gutsy Canada in Copa America semifinal
Goals by Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez lifted top-ranked Argentina past Canada as the star-studded South American side showed its pedigree in a 2-0 win in the Copa America semifinal on Tuesday.
Five hospitalizations in Ontario linked to plant-based refrigerated beverages recall
Ontario is confirming nine cases of listeriosis that are believed to be linked to a recall for Silk® and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages.
'Her whole future ahead of her': Sask. photographer captures Manitoba graduate posing on iceberg
Some say a photograph is simply a memory frozen in time – and a high school graduation photo taken in Churchill, Man. takes that adage to a completely new level.
'Hilarious and fun': Ottawa man surprised with 40th birthday party inside Value Village
As much as Tyler Garvey loves hunting for a vintage bargain, he never expected to celebrate his 40th birthday inside a Value Village location.
The body of an American climber buried by an avalanche 22 years ago in Peru has been found
Twenty two years ago, an avalanche buried American climber Bill Stampfl as he made his way up one of the highest peaks in the Andes mountains.
Russia orders the arrest of Alexei Navalny's widow, who lives abroad
A court in Russia ordered the arrest of the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during a hearing Tuesday that was conducted in absentia as part of a sweeping Kremlin crackdown on the opposition.
Ukraine will stop Putin, Biden tells NATO in forceful speech
Joe Biden forcefully defended the foreign policy achievements of his presidency as he welcomed NATO member states to a Washington summit on Tuesday that is being closely watched by allies at home and abroad for proof the embattled U.S. president can still lead.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is pregnant
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who served eight and a half years for helping to kill her abusive mother, announced Tuesday that she is set to become a mother herself.
Local Spotlight
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6957209.1720573921!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'Her whole future ahead of her': Sask. photographer captures Manitoba graduate posing on iceberg
Some say a photograph is simply a memory frozen in time – and a high school graduation photo taken in Churchill, Man. takes that adage to a completely new level.
'Tears come to my eyes': Track star and family granted extension to stay in Canada after deportation order
A rising track and field star overcame a big hurdle in his dream to represent Canada at the Olympics.
B.C. buyers who backed out of home purchase ordered to pay more than $350K in damages
Would-be homebuyers who backed out of a deal to purchase a B.C. property in a hot real estate market have been ordered to pay the seller the difference between what they offered and what he was able to sell the home for when the market cooled.
Look at this photograph: Ottawa city councillor meets his rock star idols Nickelback
Ottawa city councillor Tim Tierney has waited decades for the chance to meet his rock-star idols Nickelback.
'Incredible honour': Mick Jagger dines at famous Vancouver restaurant
A rock 'n' roll legend made an appearance at a popular Vancouver restaurant over the weekend.
Escaped inmate found south of Edmonton 1 month later
A convict who escaped an Edmonton correctional service more than a month ago has been caught.
Ottawa woman, 49, wins $70 million, plans to help community
An Ottawa woman, who has survived cancer and has overcome addiction, has won $70 million with Lotto Max.
Calgarians allowed to water by hand, some pools open as city eases outdoor restrictions
Calgary is easing outdoor water restrictions as the city continues work to help its water infrastructure recover following a major feeder main break.
Giant tortoise walking along B.C. sidewalks inspires tourist from Australia
Adam finds out how a giant tortoise walking along a sidewalk is inspiring a woman visiting from Australia.