PRINCE ALBERT — A viral video on social media has sparked outrage from Indigenous leaders after it appears to have captured security personnel removing a First Nations man from a Prince Albert hospital and leaving him outside in the extreme cold on Dec. 11.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, condemned the incident, calling it “inhumane” and “symptomatic of systemic racism” within the province’s healthcare system.
“The terrible treatment our First Nations people are put through is horrific,” said Chief Bobby Cameron. “If that video had not been taken, chances are this man would have died due to the cold weather temperatures. We are talking about what appears to be a deliberate act that could have resulted in a death, and it’s another example that First Nation people, and their lives, are simply not valued equally in our healthcare system. This is not care; this is cruelty dressed in uniforms and policies. Racism kills. There are addictions in our communities; the way the security guards handled it was inhumane and cruel.”
Video footage posted to Facebook shows three security guards picking him up and putting him into a wheelchair then pushing him as he screams. A second video shows him lying in the snow outside, near the hospital, his body convulsing. FSIN executives say the footage demonstrates shocking disregard for human life.
FSIN leaders are demanding the immediate termination and investigation of the security personnel involved, as well as accountability from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
On Sunday, Director Media Relations and Issues Management Doug Dahl for the Saskatchewan Health Authority said in an email that, SHA is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful and compassionate care environment for everyone in their facilities.
“On the evening of Dec. 11, an individual who was disruptive in the emergency department waiting room was escorted from the building," said Dahl. "The SHA is reviewing this situation with our security provider to ensure all proper processes were followed, and these processes maintain a safe environment for staff and patients, while supporting individuals who may need connection to additional services outside of the hospital. Our goal is always to provide compassionate, appropriate support and to identify opportunities to strengthen our approach in future.”
Cameron said the incident reflects a broader pattern of discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan’s healthcare system, from being ignored in emergency rooms to enduring racial slurs and assumptions from staff.
FSIN said the man’s life may have been saved not by the healthcare system meant to protect him, but by vigilant community members who witnessed the alleged incident and refused to look away.
According to Environment Canada, the temperature in Prince Albert, on the night of Dec. 11, dropped to about -19°C, with extreme cold warnings issued due to wind chill values near -40°C.
Prince Albert Police investigating
Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) confirmed they are investigating the video. According to police, officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of 10th Avenue West on Dec. 11 at approximately 10:50 p.m. after receiving a report of a disturbance.
When officers arrived, they found an intoxicated man lying in the snow. Police said they made sure the man was medically assessed and treated.
Police say they are now reviewing the circumstances surrounding the “eviction” and the events depicted in the video.
“Every First Nation person deserves to access to healthcare without fear of discrimination, neglect, or abuse,” said the FSIN executive. “They deserve to be treated with the same dignity, respect and urgency as any other patient. Anything less is a violation of fundamental human rights and a stain on our collective conscience.”
Story first published Dec. 13 and updated Dec. 14 to include comments from Saskatchewan Health Authority.
ljoy@sasktoday.ca
