The First Nations Health Ombudsperson for Saskatchewan is speaking out over an incident at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.
Dr. Dianne Lafond, the First Nations Health Ombudsperson for the province, says Corina Morin, a 54-year-old First Nations woman, had her hair shaved without consent at the hospital this past June.
Lafond says the woman was medically incapacitated and was unable to provide informed consent to have her hair shaved.
The family called the situation “deeply traumatic”, echoing the legacy of Residential Schools.
According to the ombudsperson this is not an isolated incident.
“This is a grave betrayal of trust and a violation of cultural safety,” said Lafond. “It’s deeply alarming—this is the second time in two years at this same facility, and the fourth case brought to our office. These patterns cannot be ignored. This must end now.”
According to the ombudsperson, the provincial government has updated their Indigenous hair cutting policy.
However, Lafond says the government has not provided an apology to the family or any meaningful follow-up.
The Fiurst Nations Helth Ombudsperson is not calling on the Saskatchewan Health Authority to engage with Indigenous communities on this issue and take “real steps” toward accountability.