Alberta Health Services says it has taken a number of steps to better train staff, after an Indigenous man91裸聊视频檚 braids were cut off and thrown away while he was in an Edmonton hospital.
Eve Adams went in May to visit her husband, Dexter Adams, at Edmonton91裸聊视频檚 Royal Alexandra Hospital and found the 84-year-old91裸聊视频檚 braids, his eagle feather and some medicine in a garbage can.
He had been deemed at a high risk of falling and was in hospital waiting for a space to open in a long-term care facility. He died just over a month later.
His niece Kathleen Crowe, speaking on behalf of the family at an Opposition NDP press conference Tuesday, said braids have a deep cultural meaning, and to have them cut off without consent was crushing.
91裸聊视频淢y uncle was a day school survivor, and in his era it wasn91裸聊视频檛 culturally safe to have long hair. So as he got older, he grew his hair long 91裸聊视频� to be able to grow his hair long was very special for him and to his spirit,91裸聊视频� Crowe said.
91裸聊视频淏asically, it was the essence of his spirit. And to have that cut off 91裸聊视频� it was a huge change in him.
91裸聊视频淭he braids were found in the garbage on top of soiled adult diapers 91裸聊视频� I can91裸聊视频檛 even begin to describe how awful that was.91裸聊视频�
Kerry Williamson, a spokesperson for Alberta Health Services, said the incident was 91裸聊视频渄eeply regrettable and should never have happened.91裸聊视频�
He said AHS has since held three classes about the cultural significance of hair for Indigenous people. They were open to all hospital staff and volunteers, and new resources for staff have been added to its internal website.
91裸聊视频淎HS is continually working to improve its system and remains dedicated to building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities while ensuring accessible, culturally appropriate health care across Alberta,91裸聊视频� Williamson said, adding AHS already has a mandatory Indigenous training program for staff.
Crowe said she doesn91裸聊视频檛 think that training is adequate after what happened to her uncle.
91裸聊视频淚t would help in bringing more closure to have the hospital investigate their own systems in terms of cultural safety with Indigenous people,91裸聊视频� she said.
Williamson said an internal investigation did take place after the incident, but the results are confidential 91裸聊视频渁s we do not comment on (human relations) matters.91裸聊视频�
Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said in a statement that she was extremely concerned to learn about the case.
91裸聊视频淲hether this situation was a result of discrimination or ignorance 91裸聊视频� neither is appropriate, and it is situations like this that cause Indigenous people to feel unwelcomed in our health-care system,91裸聊视频� LaGrange said.
She also said the United Conservative Party government recently hired an 91裸聊视频淚ndigenous patient safety investigator and advocate91裸聊视频� to address discrimination in health care.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024.
Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
