Health
Native American Sterilizations & Current Health Issues
Overview
What is Sterilization?
Sterilization is a medical process where doctors make it so that a person cannot have children anymore. Some people choose to do this procedure for personal or health reasons. In the past, the U.S. has forced groups of people to be sterilized without their permission, meaning they could not have children for the rest of their lives.
What is Eugenics?
Using ideas about which races and qualities are better than others to try and produce more people who have the racial qualities that the people in power want, and less people who have the racial qualities that people in power don’t want. This is done through science and medical procedures.
First, learn about the history:
Second, read Native people's stories
Jean Whitehorse was sterilized without her permission
How changing the environment created health problems and the diabetes crisis
Current Issues in Native American Health
Centers in Arizona promised to help Native Americans who were homeless or addicted to drugs and alcohol, but some died trying to get help.
U.S. healthcare treats Native American patients differently, discriminates.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, Native American communities are feeling the effects more than others.
The University of Minnesota is trying to create a Native American Health major.