‘They had no right’: Inuit women recount experiences past and present of forced sterilization

Forced sterilization of Indigenous peoples in Canada is a dark chapter in the country’s history that continues to impact women like Karen Couperthwaite and Cecilia Papak. Despite efforts by organizations like the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice to track and address these cases, stories like Couperthwaite’s and Papak’s highlight the ongoing trauma and injustice faced by Indigenous women.

Couperthwaite, a resident of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L., discovered that her fallopian tubes had been removed instead of tied during a C-section nine years ago. This revelation left her shocked and devastated, as it meant she couldn’t conceive naturally. Couperthwaite’s experience is just one example of the lack of informed consent and autonomy that Indigenous women have faced when it comes to reproductive health.

Papak, from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, recounted how doctors pressured her into undergoing sterilization, telling her that she wouldn’t live long if she continued to have children. Despite wanting to watch her kids grow up, Papak felt coerced into the surgery and now regrets the decision. These stories highlight the systemic issues of coercion and lack of agency faced by Indigenous women when it comes to their reproductive choices.

Alice Simik’s story adds another layer to the conversation, as she learned that her mother had undergone tubal ligation without her knowledge in 1970. The lack of transparency and agency in this decision left Simik feeling hurt and outraged, emphasizing the need for women to have control over their own bodies and reproductive choices.

The Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice is working to provide support and a platform for Indigenous women to share their stories and seek justice. By building a registry of forced sterilization cases, the organization aims to create an official record of these injustices and advocate for systemic change.

These stories serve as a stark reminder of the long-lasting impacts of forced sterilization on Indigenous communities and the urgent need for accountability and reparations. Couperthwaite’s experience of sharing the Survivors Circle’s resources with other women facing similar challenges underscores the importance of solidarity and support in addressing this issue.

As we reflect on these stories and work towards healing and justice, it is crucial to amplify the voices of Indigenous women and center their experiences in conversations around reproductive rights and justice. Only by acknowledging and confronting the injustices of the past can we move towards a future where all women have the agency and autonomy to make informed choices about their bodies and futures.