Maureen Lux is hopeful a national honour she was recently selected for will help to raise awareness of the history of racially segregated health care in Canada.

The Brock history professor was honoured with the 2017 Jason A. Hannah Medal from The Royal Society of Canada: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences in recognition of her work on the history of colonialism and its impact on the health of indigenous people in 19th and 20th century Canada.

The Jason A. Hannah Medal is awarded every two years to an important publication in the history of medicine.

Lux’s 2016 book, Separate Beds: A History of Indian Hospitals in Canada, 1920s-1980s, examines Canada’s system of segregated health care that isolated indigenous people from the rest of the population and subjected them to institutional treatment, invasive surgery and medical experimentation.

“It’s a great honour to have my research and scholarship recognized with the Jason Hannah medal from the Royal Society of Canada,” Lux said.

“I would only hope that it might also start a conversation in Canada about the history of racially segregated health care and how indigenous peoples’ health has so often been compromised in the interests of settler society.”

Daniel Samson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of History, said the department is fortunate to have such a significant scholar in its midst.

“In a department with an outstanding research profile, Maureen Lux’s work still stands out for both its rigour and its social impact.”

The Royal Society of Canada: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada was established by Parliament in 1883. Consisting of distinguished scholars, artists and scientists from across Canada, the RSC’s primary objective is to promote learning and research.

This year’s award winners will be celebrated during the Induction and Awards Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 24, at the Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel in Winnipeg, Man.

Separate Beds is available at the Brock University library or for purchase at the Brock Campus Store and Amazon.