Examining Indigenous Perspectives on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

Abstract

This chapter draws attention to Indigenous perspectives on MAID policies, reviewing the public record on Indigenous perspectives introduced into parliamentary discussions and debates. That overview identifies a number of qualitatively significant issues raised. The chapter goes on to show that Health has tended to set aside those issues in its ongoing review of MAID implementation and that real engagement with Indigenous peoples on MAID has not even begun. The chapter suggests that the broader concerns raised within Indigenous perspectives on MAID do not sit easily with narrower evidence-based approaches to health policy but that normative and legal instruments in relation to Indigenous rights do have implications of a new need to engage with these perspectives in ongoing review of MAID. There will need to be further attention to Indigenous perspectives on MAID.