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Alberta First Nation Moving Ahead with Plans to Protect Gender-Affirming Care
The Nation says the law would let doctors provide care on its territory and shield them from provincial sanctions.
- On Wednesday, September 9, Saddle Lake Cree Nation Chief Dale Steinhauer announced plans to draft a health law allowing gender-affirming care on reserve lands, creating a safe haven for youth affected by Alberta's restrictive provincial legislation.
- The Nation cited the Treaty 6 'medicine chest' clause to assert healthcare sovereignty, responding to Alberta Bills 26, 27, and 29, which restrict gender-affirming treatments and school pronoun policies for minors under age 16.
- Family physician Dr. James Makokis detailed plans for a virtual care hub exempting clinicians from provincial sanctions. As of Friday, the Nation raised over $80,000 via GoFundMe to support legal defense efforts.
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated Thursday she lacks authority over the First Nation, deferring to federal jurisdiction. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta noted its mandate to regulate practice within provincial legislation.
- Other First Nations have contacted the Nation to explore similar paths, establishing a national blueprint for Indigenous health jurisdiction to protect communities from provincial restrictions and uphold human rights.
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21 Articles
21 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources21
Leaning Left16Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution94% Left
Bias Distribution
- 94% of the sources lean Left
94% Left
L 94%
Factuality
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