Doctors of BC response to anti-Indigenous racism

Doctors of BC supports the First Nations Health Authority and First Nations Leadership Council in denouncing recent disturbing remarks made about Indigenous Peoples by Dr Marina Sapozhnikov, who recently retired her licence to practice medicine in British Columbia.

In an October 19 interview, Dr Sapozhnikov made racist, derogatory, and anti-Indigenous statements in a media interview that were based on untrue and racist stereotypes—stereotypes that have and continue to harm Indigenous communities in BC, and throughout Canada. Anti-Indigenous racism has a tangible negative impact on health outcomes—from institutional avoidance to intergenerational health care trauma, and much more.

As the representative association for all physicians throughout British Columbia, Doctors of BC has a zero-tolerance policy for the racist views expressed. We support the First Nations Health Authority and First Nations Leadership Council in condemning these remarks and echo the call for an investigation into these statements to be carried out by the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons prior to any medical licence potentially being reissued to Dr Sapozhnikov in the future.

Doctors of BC is committed to tangible reconciliation efforts and ensuring that Indigenous patients in British Columbia have access to culturally safe care. Steps taken along this journey include:

• Being the first medical association in Canada to include Indigenous Specific Anti-Racism (ISAR) in our Physician Master Agreement.

• Embedding our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation as a pillar of Doctors of BC’s strategic plan.

• Developing a Truth and Reconciliation plan, in partnership with Indigenous leaders, that considers the historical role of the Association and profession and the role we will play moving forward.

Just as the CMA laid out in its national apology to Indigenous Peoples, Doctors of BC is steadfast in its continued advocacy to advance culturally safe health care and eradicate Indigenous-specific racism in the BC health care system.