Canadian Maternal Healthcare Policies and Indigenous Women The Systemic, Symbolic, and Individual Oppression of Indigenous Women in Canada

Abstract

Indigenous women in Canada experience disproportionate maternal health problems compared to non-Indigenous women. The health problems they experience are in large part due to colonial policies which have oppressed them systemically through policies like the Indian Act, the removal of personal agency in pregnancy, and their forced assimilation and destruction of traditional birthing practices. The Canadian federal government and some provinces and territories are in the process of decolonizing healthcare policies to promote culturally safe practices, improve health outcomes, and reconcile historic inequities. The following environmental scan of Canadian maternal and Indigenous healthcare scans illustrates our problematic history, and the positive changes that are being made. Key Terms: Indigenous, Canada, maternal health, maternal healthcare, healthcare, cultural safety, agency, healthcare policies