The Alberta Health Services (AHS) manager who selected former chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw for a new position is affiliated with the NDP. .Former AHS Indigenous Wellness Core (IWC) medical lead Dr. Esther Tailfeathers was selected to be the Alberta NDP candidate for Cardston-Siksika for the 2019 election, but she withdrew her name. .“I believe it is important we keep this province moving forward with Rachel Notley’s leadership,” said Tailfeathers. .“At this time, however, my community is mourning the tragic loss of two young lives and my place is here with the families and my patients during this challenging time.”.CBC News reported Thursday when a screengrab of an announcement welcoming Hinshaw to a new position spread on social media in June, a furor erupted online..She appeared to have become the new IWC public health and preventative medicine lead. .AHS responded by saying it did not speak to personnel matters. .“Dr. Hinshaw is not employed by AHS,” it said. .“AHS is reviewing the position and remains firmly committed to working with indigenous communities and working to improve health outcomes for all communities and populations.”.Multiple sources said she said her job offer had been revoked by AHS executives against the wishes of the IWC team which hired Hinshaw in May. She was set to start on June 5. .This revocation led to Tailfeathers resigning from her position. .She said she worked to the position she had because of integrity and being concerned about indigenous health. She added she thought AHS valued that and believed her experience and wisdom would guide them in making changes and seeing better outcomes in indigenous health. .Tailfeathers said having a doctor selected by the IWC team vetoed from above was the latest example of an old theme in Canadian politics. Metaphorically, she said “it's like the Indian agent still exists.” .“The Indian agent thought he was carrying out the Queen's wishes and the Indians' voice didn't matter,” she said. .Alberta Premier Danielle Smith removed Hinshaw from her position as chief medical officer of health in November. .READ MORE: Smith fires Hinshaw as Alberta chief medical officer.Former Cancer Care Alberta, Clinical Support Services and Provincial Clinical Excellence vice president and medical director Dr. Mark Joffe was put in her place. .“Dr. Joffe has dedicated himself to improving the health of Albertans throughout his career,” said former Alberta health minister Jason Copping. .Tailfeathers could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
