Collection search - Series 1 [graphic material]

This sub-sub-series includes records pertaining to the Indian Hospitals system. In the early 20th century, the federal government of Canada began to establish a system of racially segregated hospitals known as "Indian Hospitals" to treat Indigenous patients. Many of these hospitals were established as tuberculosis sanatoriums and later converted into segregated general hospitals. Experimental medical research was also conducted at certain Indian Hospitals. Patients from remote communities were often removed to Indian Hospitals in urban centers. Some patients were forced to undergo treatment against their will in accordance with the Indian Health Regulations which were added to the Indian Act in 1953. These regulations made it illegal for Indigenous people to refuse to go to the hospital or leave the hospital without being discharged. In the 1970s, Indian Hospitals began to close and some transitioned into community health clinics.

This sub-sub-series is based on "Series 1", which is one of five groupings of photographs created as part of accession 1997-309 DAP. It is unclear as to whether these groupings were created by staff at the Department of Health or by Archivists at the National Archives of Canada. The photographs seem to be grouped mainly thematically and by media.

The original provenance of these photographs within the Department of Health is unknown. Staff of the Medical Services Branch likely took the photographs. The Public Affairs, Consultation and Communications Branch likely held these photographs.

Related materials note: textual material and moving images related to the Indian and Northern Health Services series (MIKAN no. 193856).