SASKATOON — Saskatchewan's First Nation Health Ombudsperson Dr. Dianne Lafond is calling for an independent body to investigate the recent incidents of violence towards Indigenous patients in healthcare facilities across the province.
Lafond, along with FN Health Ombudsperson Chair Heather Bear and Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Second Vice Chief David Pratt, held a media event on Monday, Jan. 26, at the Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre, where they called on the provincial government to implement sweeping changes in the treatment of Indigenous patients in the healthcare system.
They made their comments with the death of Trevor Dubois still fresh in their minds, highlighting the 36-year-old’s death as the latest case of systemic racism and unfair treatment towards an Indigenous person in the province’s healthcare system.
Pratt, in his brief comments, said that if the province failed to address this issue, they are prepared to launch a class action against the government and health officials based on the files and evidence collected by the Health Ombudsperson’s Office.
Lafond reiterated that an independent body should investigate the series of events that led to the death of Dubois, who was undergoing cancer treatment at the Royal University Hospital.
The Saskatoon Police Service responded to an altercation between Dubois and security and, in a media release, stated that a gun and drug paraphernalia were found in the room where Dubois was staying. Dubois’ family downplayed the evidence found and even noted that the alleged gun turned out to be a cigarette lighter.
The SPS has not yet released the results of their investigation. The Saskatchewan Coroner’s Office has yet to release the medical report, while the Saskatchewan Health Authority, in partnership with the provincial Ministry of Health, will also be conducting its own review.
However, Lafond reiterated that an independent body should conduct the inquiry, as, based on their studies and complaints that the Health Ombudsperson’s Office has received, they are seeing a pattern towards Indigenous patients, particularly males, in recent months. Another incident they mentioned is the First Nations person who was pushed away in the cold by peace officers at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert.
“[We] are ordering an independent and thorough investigation. Hands off from the [SHA] and hands off from the [SPS]. It must be done independently. It needs to have First Nations consultation and engagement. So, you can see what we’ve been dealing with. We have the facts. We have the evidence. And we're speaking from that today. We've talked about it, when families come to us, experiencing severe harm and a system that is supposed to be safe and helpful,” said Lafond
She added that instead of the SHA addressing the issue, they are busy planning to set up metal detectors, which institutionalizes fear, painting a picture that all First Nations entering the hospital are criminals and are there to hurt people. She acknowledged that everyone’s safety, from healthcare workers and other patients, is also a priority, but First Nations peoples are not inherently violent.
Lafond said that protective services, whether directly hired by the SHA or from a private security agency, should also have training on de-escalation techniques and how to handle and help patients suffering from mental health issues.
“Do they understand people going there for help? We have people who have extreme mental health crises. We have people who are having heart attacks, and they have to go through a metal detector. They're being told to come back, and you have to walk through it again. They can easily collapse right there,” said Lafond.
They are demanding that changes be implemented to ensure the protection and safety of everyone in the province’s healthcare facilities, and Lafond said that, following a meeting with her staff, bodycams should be worn by protective services and other security personnel, similar to police officers who have theirs whenever they respond to calls.
“Another important thing is that we would like [footage from] security cameras be kept longer than 30 days because we cannot do a complete investigation, and it takes time. I believe their policy is, they only keep camera [footage] for 30 days. We want that camera [footage] to be preserved longer,” said Lafond.
