Alberta Health Services says it has taken a number of steps to better train staff, after an Indigenous manB次元官网网址檚 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 EdmontonB次元官网网址檚 Royal Alexandra Hospital and found the 84-year-oldB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淢y uncle was a day school survivor, and in his era it wasnB次元官网网址檛 culturally safe to have long hair. So as he got older, he grew his hair long B次元官网网址� to be able to grow his hair long was very special for him and to his spirit,B次元官网网址� Crowe said.

B次元官网网址淏asically, it was the essence of his spirit. And to have that cut off B次元官网网址� it was a huge change in him.

B次元官网网址淭he braids were found in the garbage on top of soiled adult diapers B次元官网网址� I canB次元官网网址檛 even begin to describe how awful that was.B次元官网网址�

Kerry Williamson, a spokesperson for Alberta Health Services, said the incident was B次元官网网址渄eeply regrettable and should never have happened.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淎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,B次元官网网址� Williamson said, adding AHS already has a mandatory Indigenous training program for staff.

Crowe said she doesnB次元官网网址檛 think that training is adequate after what happened to her uncle.

B次元官网网址淚t would help in bringing more closure to have the hospital investigate their own systems in terms of cultural safety with Indigenous people,B次元官网网址� she said.

Williamson said an internal investigation did take place after the incident, but the results are confidential B次元官网网址渁s we do not comment on (human relations) matters.B次元官网网址�

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said in a statement that she was extremely concerned to learn about the case.

B次元官网网址淲hether this situation was a result of discrimination or ignorance B次元官网网址� neither is appropriate, and it is situations like this that cause Indigenous people to feel unwelcomed in our health-care system,B次元官网网址� LaGrange said.

She also said the United Conservative Party government recently hired an B次元官网网址淚ndigenous patient safety investigator and advocateB次元官网网址� to address discrimination in health care.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press