A very real area of concern among Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks lies in their experiences within healthcare settings. In addition to widespread experiences of forced and coerced sterilization, many Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks do not feel comfortable in healthcare settings because of past racism and sexism from healthcare professionals. In many cases, this prevents them from accessing healthcare services, even when they need it the most.
Not only does this result in massive data gaps, but it also means many Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks go without preventative healthcare and treatment options.
As LFMO further expands its research and understanding of health issues impacting Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks, we will emphasize the importance of Métis rights, cultural safety and trauma-informed care.
Recommendations
- Put in place cultural competency training that is federally mandated for doctors, nurses and healthcare providers who are working with Métis women and gender diverse people.
- Include cultural competency programming in the post-secondary education of nurses, doctors and healthcare providers.
- Work towards implementing a Patient Advocate system to ensure Métis patients can provide informed consent and are able to navigate the medical system.
- Ensure that all data collected regarding coerced and forced sterilization is distinctions-based and disaggregated to account for gender.
