The Sterilization of Leilani Muir Background Information

Definitions Sterilization: procedures that result in permanent infertility Sterilization: procedures that result in permanent infertility Eugenics: Eugenics: Definition of founder: “The study of agencies under social control that may improve or repair the racial qualities of future generations, whether physically or mentally.” from: Quigley, Margaret. “The Public Eye”. (1995) Definition of founder: “The study of agencies under social control that may improve or repair the racial qualities of future generations, whether physically or mentally.” from: Quigley, Margaret. “The Public Eye”. (1995) Current definition: The study of hereditary improvement of the human race by controlled selective breeding. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Current definition: The study of hereditary improvement of the human race by controlled selective breeding. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

History of Eugenics 1883 by Francis Galton (cousin to Charles Darwin) 1883 by Francis Galton (cousin to Charles Darwin) Negative Eugenics was aimed at the poor or those of non-Anglo-Saxon descent (esp. natives, in Canada). Negative Eugenics was aimed at the poor or those of non-Anglo-Saxon descent (esp. natives, in Canada). By 1935, 30 American states and 2 Canadian provinces (Alberta and British Columbia) had enacted sterilization laws. By 1935, 30 American states and 2 Canadian provinces (Alberta and British Columbia) had enacted sterilization laws. Eugenics was made infamous by the Nazi party, aimed at those of Jewish descent, as well as the blind, deaf, disabled and homosexuals. Eugenics was made infamous by the Nazi party, aimed at those of Jewish descent, as well as the blind, deaf, disabled and homosexuals. Between the 30s and the 70s, Alberta documented 2822 procedures. BC records have been destroyed. Between the 30s and the 70s, Alberta documented 2822 procedures. BC records have been destroyed. In British Columbia, The Sexual Sterilization Act enabled the government to sterilize residents of government-run institutions “without their consent” and “without their knowledge of what was happening.” In British Columbia, The Sexual Sterilization Act enabled the government to sterilize residents of government-run institutions “without their consent” and “without their knowledge of what was happening.”

Profile: Helen MacMurchy  1901 graduated first class from U of T medical school. First female intern at TGH became Ontario's "inspector of the feeble- minded" (Courtesy University of Toronto Archives/A /293/67) became Ontario's "inspector of the feeble- minded" (Courtesy University of Toronto Archives/A /293/67). -her actions led to the sterilization of many Canadian immigrants.  1934 MacMurchy was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). (one level down from knighthood)  1949 named one of the 10 leading female physicians in the western world.

Video Response Watch The Sterilization of Leilani Muir. Watch The Sterilization of Leilani Muir. Fill-in the handout. Fill-in the handout. Use the class discussion and the notes you took to write a reflection essay: Use the class discussion and the notes you took to write a reflection essay: Is “the road to hell paved with good intentions?” What lessons can be learned from this part of Canadian history? Is “the road to hell paved with good intentions?” What lessons can be learned from this part of Canadian history? Write a 1-2 page, typed, double-spaced essay (12 point font). Be sure to have a thesis that relates to family studies, arguments that relate back to that thesis, and a conclusion. Write a 1-2 page, typed, double-spaced essay (12 point font). Be sure to have a thesis that relates to family studies, arguments that relate back to that thesis, and a conclusion.