Indigenous leaders address security in SK

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – Indigenous leaders, city representatives, health system officials, police and security companies met at a roundtable discussion to talk about Indigenous safety and accountability in frontline public services, including contracted and privatized security operations.

“Safety and dignity are not optional. They are the baseline,” said Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte (pictured).

The meeting follows two recent incidents that sparked scrutiny of hospital security practices. The first was in relation to a widely circulated video that showed an Indigenous man being removed from the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert and left outdoors in winter conditions.

The second event took place at Royal University Hospital where a Prince Albert man, who was a patient there, died following an altercation involving hospital security.

Hardlotte said he’s often sent videos of Indigenous people being mistreated in public places.

“This is not about targeting individual workers,” said Hardlotte. “This is about fixing systems that carry real risk when they fail. Accountability has to be visible, documented and enforced.”

Hardlotte who talked at length about the addictions issues Indigenous face as a result of intergenerational trauma brought on by the 60s scoop and residential schools said it’s important security people have the right training to speak to them.

“You can sure trigger a person with those challenges if you approach them in the wrong way,” he said.

Prince Albert Police Chief Patrick Nogier said he understands the safety concerns but said often times, judgement is passed before the investigation is complete.

“A video doesn’t always tell the totality of a situation – sometimes it’s a very small segment of what actually occurred,” he said.

When asked about the incident at Victoria Hospital and another recent incident at a fast-food restaurant that shows a woman slapping and getting slapped by a security guard, Nogier confirmed both remain under investigation.

Prince Albert city councilor Tony Head attended the meeting and said it needed to result in commitments being put into action.

Agenda items included reviews of security and safety policies, updates from health and business stakeholders, expectations for trauma-informed and culturally safe practice, and the development of clearer complaint, reporting and accountability pathways.

Representatives from the Saskatchewan Health Authority were also in attendance. Richard Dagenais, interim vice president of Provincial Clinical and Support Services, said the meeting was very productive. He also noted the fact the Ministry of Health has engaged in a slightly longer external review of hospital safety.

“And I think the sort of feedback and dialogue we heard today, some of the stories people were able to share, some of the pressures people are feeling, are going to be really important for us to listen to and exactly the types of things we want to include in the review that’s happening,” he said.

Julia Pemberton, VP of Integrated North, noted they are investing in Indigenous navigator position within the province’s hospitals, and that includes Victoria Hospital.

“They work side by side with our staff to create a welcoming environment that has that Indigenous knowledge and trauma informed practices,” she said.

The meeting is expected to be the first of several discussions. Pemberton explained this meeting was about identifying problems and future gatherings will be about action plans.

“One of the things I did commit to today was making sure our security partners are well aware of all the mental health and addictions resources they could engage with.”

Source: Pattison Media