Complaints of racism aimed at hospitals

Page 2

An intense, three month investigation is being conducted into alleged discrimination against Native people by the staff of the High Prairie hospital and clinic.

The investigation is being conducted by the Alberta Indian Health Care Commission (AIHCC) after the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council (LSLIRC) said they have received numerous complaints that Treaty Indian s in the area have not received proper treatment.

Chairman of the commission, Henry Quinney, says there is a problem. "There have been numerous complaints about the treatment of the people," he said.

Senior consultant with the commission, Heather Clayton is coordinating the inquiry and says the commission was contacted by the Regional Council in May.

"Since then we have continued to receive complaints," she said adding that she has received ten more complaints since the inquiry began almost three months ago.

The Commission will be meeting with the Regional Council within the next two weeks said Clayton. A decision on further action will be made during the meeting.

Officials at the High Prairie hospital were unavailable for comment at press time. However, Doctor Robin Laughlin who has a medical practice at the High Prairie clinic and is chief of medical staff of the hospital complex told the High Prairie Mirror that patients had been "double-booked."

"It's very hard to get doctors in the north" he said adding that the number of patients seeking care had doubled during the past ten years whereas the number of doctors had remained the same."

Meanwhile, in an effort to gain more control, bands in the area are seeking positions on the hospital board. However, with only five members on the hospital board, the possibility of each Indian band in the area receiving representation is remote.

And Quinney, a former Saddle Lake chief, says the problems at High Prairie are only the "tip of the iceberg." Already the commission has been informed of complaints lodged by members of the Little Red River band over the Fort Vermilion hospital and similar problems have been lodged in the Cardston area hospitals by members of the Blood and Peigan bands.