FSIN CALLS FOR BETTER TREATMENT OF FIRST NATIONS PATIENTS
- Jan 16, 2021
- 2 min read
(Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatoon SK) – The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Executive is alarmed after a number of calls were received regarding the poor and unprofessional treatment of two elderly First Nations patients at the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital over the last number of days.
“It is very disturbing and alarming to receive calls from concerned family members that have an elderly parent in the Prince Albert Victoria hospital. We received a complaint that an 88-year-old man was receiving treatment in isolation and he doesn’t even speak English. Where are his supports?” says FSIN Vice Chief David Pratt. “We had another elderly woman’s family call to tell us that she was being mistreated by rude and unprofessional nurses. She doesn’t want to be named because she’s scared that they’ll treat her worse in retaliation. These elderly patients need the help of translators and patient support services to understand what is happening to them and to be informed of the type of care they are receiving.”
“These are our elders and they deserve the utmost respect and fair treatment by all doctors and staff. We are calling on the Province to step in and help these families and do something about all of the complaints that come in regarding First Nations patients at this hospital” says FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “This is why it is so important that we have our own First Nations doctors and nurses working within all hospitals throughout the province. Our Chiefs have been calling for a First Nations hospital in this region for years and this is the exact reason why. Our elderly patients are too scared to speak out against poor treatment or can’t speak out at all because no one speaks the same language as them.”
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.
