June 8 | June 1 | March 19 | October 5 | June 3
Statement on London, Ontario Tragedy
June 8th, 2021
Dear members:
The CFAS is deeply saddened by the devastating news from London, Ontario, yesterday, where a man driving a vehicle crashed into a Muslim family, killing 4 members and leaving a child in critical condition. Investigators believe this was a planned, pre-meditated act motivated by hate and racism. To read the full story, click here.
CFAS is horrified by this act of hatred and Islamophobia. CFAS stands in solidarity with our Muslim friends and colleagues and offers our support and compassion to all those affected by this devastating act of violence. We condemn any form of racism, hatred, bigotry and prejudice. We must continue to stand together to call out hate wherever we see it and build plans to eradicate racism.
Sincerely,
Goldi Gill, Executive Director
The CFAS Board of Directors
CFAS Honours and Grieves for the 215 Indigenous Children and Calls for Action
June 1st, 2021
Dear members:
This past week, Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation announced the devastating discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children buried in unmarked graves at the site of the former residential school in Kamloops, BC. To read the full story, click here. The discovery speaks of unimaginable horror and deep loss. It is a painful reminder of the profound, lasting harms on Indigenous communities, and of the heartbreaking and ongoing intergenerational trauma suffered by Indigenous families.
June is National Indigenous History Month – a month during which we honour the history, sacrifices, advancements, culture and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada. As we celebrate Indigenous History Month, let us also take the time to acknowledge the deep losses and lasting impacts Indigenous communities suffered and continue to suffer in Canada.
Please join us today at 2:15 pm for a moment of silence to remember the 215 Indigenous children and their lives lost.
Further, the CFAS asks it's members to take action by visiting the On Canada Project website (click here) for steps individuals can take to progress change.
Sincerely,
Goldi Gill, Executive Director
The CFAS Board of Directors
CFAS Statement: Supporting the Fight Against Racism and Violence Against Women
March 19th, 2021
Dear members:
The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) was devastated to learn of the hate crime murders that occurred on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia. Eight women were targeted and murdered, amongst them, six were of Asian descent. The murders brought to light reoccurring issues of racism and violence against women.
Law enforcement is stressing that we do not yet know if the killer was motivated by race. We do know, however, that the women were targeted for their gender. Just as racism is a longstanding problem, violence against women, either by an intimate partner or a stranger is a persistent issue and nothing new. We must act to combat both.
The CFAS supports the fight against racism and misogyny. At CFAS, we believe we must always stand up against the abuse of power in all forms including racism, misogyny and violence against women. Whether these women were murdered for their race, their gender, or both, we should honour the victims by standing in solidarity and working to create change to end violence.
As we mourn the loss of the victims, we must also commit to continuously raising our awareness of violence against women and finding ways to advocate for and effect change.
Our deepest condolences are with the friends and families of those who tragically and senselessly lost their lives.
Sincerely,
Jason Hitkari, President
Goldi Gill, Executive Director
The CFAS Board of Directors
CFAS Statement on Recognizing and Denouncing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada
October 5th, 2020
Joyce Echaquan, a 37 year old Atikamekw de Manawan mother of seven, died last Monday at Joliette Hospital in Quebec. Instead of being shown compassion and care by the very people she went to for help, she suffered racist slurs and abuse.
Unfortunately, Joyce’s treatment is not an isolated incident. It is well documented that Indigenous people in Canada face disparities and discrimination. The traumatic video Joyce livestreamed serves as graphic proof for the world to bear witness to the systemic racism in healthcare in Canada.
The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society denounces anti-Indigenous racism and encourages thoughtful reflection and action. Racism in healthcare can be minimized through education and awareness about social disparities and inequities, as well as the consequences and legacies of colonization. There are various online course options including the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Native Studies’ open online course “Indigenous Canada”.
The reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls (MMIWG) Inquiry and, more recently, the Viens Commission in Quebec also serve as important resources.
As the Cree Nation Government states: “Let the death of Joyce Echaquan not be in vain. Let it be the shock that ends the culture of impunity and establishes accountability throughout the public services in their dealings with Indigenous persons.”
Sincerely,
Jason Hitkari, President (2020-2021)
Goldi Gill, Executive Director
CFAS Board of Directors
References:
Cree Nation Government Press Release September 29, 2020. Accessed online at:
Health and Health Care Implications of Systemic Racism on Indigenous Peoples in Canada (2016). Accessed online at: https://portal.cfpc.ca/ResourcesDocs/uploadedFiles/Resources/_PDFs/SystemicRacism_ENG.pdf
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIG). Executive Summary of the Final Report. (2019). Accessed online at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/MMIWG-Executive-Summary-ENG.pdf#:~:text=INTRODUCTION-,The%20National%20Inquiry%20into%20Missing%20and%
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. (2012). Accessed online at: http://www.trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
University of Alberta online course. Indigenous Canada. Accessed online at: https://www.ualberta.ca/
Viens Commission Report. (2019). Accessed online at: https://www.cerp.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/Fichiers_clients/Rapport/Final_report.pdf
Dear members,
The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) acknowledges that racism has permeated institutions like education, health care, and justice for centuries. Racism leads to severe consequences including health disparities. The CFAS denounces anti-Black racism and all forms of racism, prejudice and oppression. We stand in solidarity with those in our communities who have suffered or continue to suffer the consequences of racist behaviours and structural racism. We commit to confronting racism by opening up conversations to identify ways to address unconscious bias and support efforts to educate on and eliminate systemic oppression.
Sincerely,
The CFAS Board of Directors