Saskatchewan’s First Nations Health Ombudsperson’s Office is speaking out after recent incidents in hospitals in Saskatchewan.
In recent months two incidents have caught public attention.
These include the death of Trevor Dubois at a hospital in Saskatoon after a physical altercation with security staff and an incident at Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert that saw a First Nation’s man left outside in the cold by security staff at that hospital.
First Nations Health Ombudsperson Dr. Dianne Lafond held a press conference in Saskatoon Monday morning.
Dr. Lafond highlighted the 550 complaints her office has received since it formed in 2023. She says many of these complaints involve protective services.
Another incident was highlighted during the press conference of an Indigenous man being left in a wheelchair after a separate altercation with security officials at a hospital.
Lafond did say that Trevor Dubois had previously filed a complaint with her office in September. However, she couldn’t get into specifics about Dubois’ complaint due to privacy.
“I am appalled and disturbed, the families deserved better, Trevor deserved better,” said Lafond. “It’s got to stop now.”
The First Nations Health Ombudsperson office is calling for an independent inquiry and full investigation into these incidents with “hands off” from the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Saskatoon Police Service.
Dr. Lafond says the inquiry should involve an Indigenous lens and welcome input from the families of people harmed.
“We are demanding change, we are demanding safety,” she said. “Trevor wanted change, he told our office that”
Lafond also says the government’s decision to install metal detectors in hospitals is not a proper solution to what is happening when First Nations people are being harmed at the hands of protective services.
Protective Services are not there to hurt people.
Also speaking at the press conference was FNHOO Board Chair Heather Bear.
Bear questioned why the Saskatchewan Health Authority weren’t implemented more calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the MMIWG inquiry.
“Why do things have to get to these levels before these things are implemented,” said Bear. “We need systemic change.”
Meanwhile, FSIN Vice-Chief David Pratt also called for concrete policy changes in the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
“We don’s want an MOU,” said Pratt. “MOUs have no teeth.”
Lafond would call for security personell to wear body cams and for security footage at hospitals to be kept for longer than 30 days.
Vice-Chief Pratt did say if the province does not respond favourably to the things called for at the press conference, they would seek a class action lawsuit.
(TOP PHOTO – From left to right, First Nations Helth Ombudsperson Diane Lafond, FNHOO Board Chair Heather Bear, and FSIN Vice Chief David Pratt at a press conference in Saskatoon. Photo by Joel Willick)