Maureen K. Lux - Separate Beds: A History of Indian Hospitals in Canada, 1920s-1980s

As I write, Canadas historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission is presenting its final report documenting the dark history and the damaging legacy of residential schools. Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future demands that all Canadians not only acknowledge that our privilege came at a terrible cost, but that we might also listen and learn how to build a respectful future. I hope that in a small measure this work heeds the Commissions call that we learn from the past to build that future.

Many people aided my research, though all errors and omissions are mine. At the St:l Research and Resource Management Centre, Tia Halsted took the time to walk me through the history and the grounds of the former Coqualeetza Indian Hospital. Janice Kennedy at the Battlefords Tribal Council Indian Health Services provided invaluable insight into the past, present, and future importance of community-directed health services. Gail Boehme took time from her Directors role to explain how the All Nations Healing Hospital came to replace the Fort QuAppelle Indian Hospital. Carol Greyeyes introduced me to Matthew Joseph, who spent a day teaching me the peoples history of Fort QuAppelle. Kathy Kinew at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs helped ease access to archival records. I would also like to thank Siksika Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier and Councillor Kendall Panther Bone for their guidance and advice. These busy people patiently fielded my requests for help; without their encouragement and support this research would not have been possible. Thank you all. Most importantly, they also introduced me to their communities most valued Elders.

I had the honour to meet and learn from Elders Agnes Cyr at Fort QuAppelle and Hazel McArthur at Stoughton, who experienced the hospitals in different ways. They are both gone now. Frank Malloway Sr invited me into his home and shared his history at Sardis, BC. Over lunch and tea in Winnipeg, Grace Anderson taught me about work in an Indian hospital; her daughter Renata Meconse took the time to chauffeur me around. At Siksika, Dave Melting Tallow graciously shared his most painful experiences with a stranger. I hope that I have told their stories with the honour and respect with which they were given. Finally, I would like to thank Linda and Roy Little Chief. Roy never let me forget why this history needs to be told.

I could not have asked for a more supportive and collegial group of scholars than Brocks history department, especially Rene Lafferty-Salhany, Carmela Patrias, John Sainsbury, Danny Samson, Dave Schimmelpenninck, and Liz Vlossak. History of medicine colleagues Erika Dyck, Geoff Hudson, and Peter Twohig have helped more than they know. I had the benefit of able and cheerful research assistants Charity Blaine, Austin Brooks, Steven Lee, and Leslie Wiebe. I would particularly like to thank Alma Favel-King, who lived the struggle over the North Battleford Indian Hospital. I also thank Julie Grahame of the Yousuf Karsh estate for permission to reproduce Mr Karshs compelling portraits.

A Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Associated Medical Services operating grant supported my research. Some of the material in Chapter One appeared as Care for the Racially Careless: Indian Hospitals in the Canadian West, 19201950s, Canadian Historical Review 91, no. 3 (2010); sections of Chapter Five appeared as We Demand Unconditional Surrender: Making and Unmaking the Blackfoot Hospital, 1890s to 1950s, Social History of Medicine 25, no. 3 (2011).

Finally, I thank my family for the constant love and support that sustains me; the babies carry the hope for our brighter future so it is to them that I dedicate this book.

St Catharines

December 2015