UPDATED: Alberta NDP calls for action after indigenous man’s braids cut off at hospital

The Alberta NDP said the government needs to stop stalling and implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC’s) Calls to Action to ensure indigenous people receive culturally safe, appropriate healthcare after a man’s braids were cut off without consent during a hospital stay.Sadly, Alberta NDP MLA Brooks Arcand-Paul (Edmonton-West Henday) said immediate implementation of the TRC’s Calls to Action about healthcare would not help deceased Pasqua First Nation resident Dexter Adams. “But his family is sharing his story today in the hope the UCP (United Conservative Party) government will act to ensure what happened to Dexter never happens to another indigenous person,” said Arcand-Paul at a Tuesday press conference. “Eve [Adams] went to visit her husband Dexter in Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital on May 6 of this year as she regularly did during his extended stay.” Upon entering Dexter’s room, Eve expressed shock his braids had been cut off and thrown in the garbage without his family’s knowledge or consent. His family said it was disturbed to discover his bear grease and his eagle feather had been discarded. Arcand-Paul called braids “deeply significant indigenous culture and for many, it represents identity and spirituality.” Additionally, he said they are seen as a source of people’s strength and core to their identity, spirit, and connection to the Creator. In the residential and day school era, braids were forbidden. In Dexter’s family, Arcand-Paul said hair is seldom cut other than when grieving the loss of a loved one. The MLA went on to say what happened to Dexter explains why the TRC's Calls to Action related to healthcare have to be implemented. He said he introduced the Reconciliation Implementation Act (RIA) in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in November to try to get the government to implement the Calls to Action faster. By implementing the RIA, he said it would ensure the Alberta government advances reconciliation in all of its decisions and moves forward on them. It does not have a strategy for reconciliation or fulfilling the Calls to Action. He said reconciliation is about building trust and fostering respectful relationships, which requires concrete action rather than rhetoric or tears. Without a concrete legislative framework to implement the Calls to Action, he noted indigenous people would not receive the change they need and deserve. Arcand-Paul concluded by calling on the Alberta government to pass the RIA. He said Dexter deserved better. Alberta NDP MLA Sarah Hoffman (Edmonton-Glenora) said Dexter’s experience is another sign public healthcare is failing indigenous patients in the province. “People across the province are suffering from limited access to healthcare and reduced quality of care,” said Hoffman. “These issues are only magnified for indigenous people, who face additional systemic barriers.” More than one year ago, the Alberta government received a final report from the Indigenous Primary Healthcare Advisory Panel, which included a recommendation to modernize the primary care system to be more inclusive for indigenous people. Hoffman said she was disturbed and disappointed to see the panel’s work had not been implemented by it. Dexter’s niece Kathleen Crow said her family has never received an explanation or apology for what happened to him. “Not only was my uncle harmed by the actions of a nurse while in care at a hospital in Edmonton, but we’re also deeply hurt along with members of my uncle’s family and our community,” said Crow. “The cutting of my uncle’s hair caused all of us great emotional and spiritual harm.” After his braids were cut off, Crow said it “was as though he lost his spirit and his will to live.” This is because he died five weeks after his hair was cut. Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange responded by saying she was concerned to hear about the details of this incident. "Whether this situation was a result or discrimination or ignorance — neither is appropriate and it is situations like this that cause indigenous people to feel unwelcomed in our healthcare system," said LaGrange."As Minister of Health, I am committed to removing barriers, and working in partnership with indigenous communities to ensure respectful, high-quality, timely, and culturally appropriate care is always received." To support this important work, LaGrange said Alberta Health created a new Indigenous Health division last year to elevate and focus on healthcare equity for indigenous people in the province. This is the first time in its history such a division has existed.

UPDATED: Alberta NDP calls for action after indigenous man’s braids cut off at hospital

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