MAiD (euthanasia) a threat to Indigenous youth

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Meaghan Walker-Williams, a Cowichan Tribes Band member and former Gladue reports writer, has written "MAiD (euthanasia) is a threat to vulnerable indigenous youth" [National Post on September 27, 2023].

Walker-Williams' biological Indigenous mother died by suicide in 1975. She acknowledges the painful consequences of policies, over the years, that didn't respect or understand Indigenous cultures:

Another policy, blind to my culture, may soon join them: assisted suicide for mental illness.

Walker-Williams explains:

Today, suicide is a silent crisis unfolding within Indigenous communities, striking at the very heart of our future: our youth. According to Statistics Canada, the suicide rate for First Nations individuals is about three times the national average. The numbers for youth are even more heart-wrenching. First Nations individuals between ages 15 and 24 are six times more likely to die by suicide than those who are not Indigenous.

As First Nations fight these high suicide rates, Canada could expand its Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) regime. Initially, MAID was legalized in 2016, but only where a person’s death was “reasonably foreseeable.” Efforts are now underway to grow its reach. In March of this year, those suffering from mental illness were supposed to become eligible for MAID, but this was delayed to 2024. In the meantime, Canada continues to discuss the implications of this expansion.

Walker-Williams continues:

It’s essential to emphasize that the Coast Salish and many Indigenous cultures hold life as sacred. The narrative that MAID could even be an implicit option for those in despair due to socio-economic challenges is not only alarming but against the very fabric of our beliefs.

In an environment where Indigenous youth suicide rates are already of grave concern, media and the state have a responsibility. The portrayal of suicide, or suggestions of it as a solution, must be abandoned when dealing with Indigenous youth — especially those in foster care, or those facing dire poverty or severe disability. Promoting discussions or policies that even indirectly mainstream this tragic choice could inadvertently amplify the crisis.

Indigenous Canadians oppose MAiD

Canada must prioritize understanding and respect for its First Nations, recognizing the unique challenges we face. Addressing the root causes of despair among our youth — from the scars of historical traumas to current socio-economic challenges — requires comprehensive solutions. Offering pathways to end life prematurely should not be among them.

To truly embody its ideals of compassion and respect for diversity, Canada needs to approach the issue of MAID with a deep consideration for its ripple effects, especially those that impact Indigenous communities. And as society reflects on this topic, it’s crucial that the narrative remains firmly rooted in upholding the sanctity of life — a cornerstone of Coast Salish teachings.

 

Previous articles concerning MAiD and Indigenous Canadians:

• Indigenous peoples should not be compelled to provide or facilitate MAiD (Link).
•  Letter to indigenous Senators: Bill C-7 will hurt our communities (Link).