1> Where these Inuit women live? Some are in Canada, some in Alaska. The
laws of the two areas are somewhat different.
2> Who or what organization runs the clinics in question? I don't recall
anyone mentioning that they were Planned Parenthood clinics, although all
the respondents on this list seem to be assuming they are.
3> Who is conducting the investigation mentioned in the NPR report that
initially started the discussion? Has any further report come out?
[ There was a brief article on page A8 of the _Lakota_Times_ edition of
8 April. It is entitled "Canadian women denied local anesthesia during
abortions" and is under the byline of Jerry Reynolds, a staff reporter.
The article quotes a memo from Stanton Yellowknife hospital which says
"in the operating room, administration of pain-killing medications and
local anesthesia is allowed if dilation is needed." It also quotes Dr.
Buck Williams of Sioux Falls, South Dakota expressing his bafflement at
the report. He says that he has been to Canada to observe such pro-
cedures, and has always found local anesthesia to be available. He goes
on to say that not using local anesthesia is not humane, and not stand-
ard in the U.S. and ends by saying "I sure don't understand what they're
doing." The NWT Status of Women Council has gotten similar responses
from other abortion specialists in Canada. The spokeswoman for that
organization said that a government-ordered inquiry is to be completed
within 60 days. --Gary ]
4> Is there anything we can do to further the cause of these poor women?
Someone we can write or fax and urge that the investigation be thorough
and followed up with action?
[ Maybe some information is available from the aforementioned Status of
Women Council. Another organization to try is CASNP (Canadian Alliance
in Solidarity with the Native Peoples) P.O. Box 574, Station P, Toronto,
Ontario M5S 2T1 (416-363-4272). The reporter who did the NPR story is
Danielle Capelli. You might try 202-822-2855 in Washington, D.C. The
_Lakota_Times_ story also mentions a CBC story. I met the producer of
the CBC program "Daybreak" who also handles Current Affairs at a con-
ference about Native issues in New York recently. His name is Alan
Conter, and can be reached at 514-597-4462. Perhaps someone can get in
touch with some of these sources and post a followup report. --Gary ]
Whatever our views on abortion or whether we are pro-life or pro-choice,
our views on these topics do not affect the apparent fact that something
has been done to women in the course of apparently legal abortions which
was not of their choice -- namely, the lack of anesthesia. Can we find out
more about the issue in question and stop ignoring in favor of beating our
own drums?
-Liz
[ I've gotten a number of personal notes from people who are finding the
character of this debate more than a bit disturbing. If you have an
opinion one way or the other, and feel that the discussion should be
limited or should be allowed to run its course, please drop me a note.
--Gary (gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us) ]
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