“What has happened here is unimaginable. The healthcare system must do better in looking after First Nation citizens. For a patient to leave the hospital in worse shape than they went in, is unacceptable.” – Grand Chief Jerry Daniels.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2024
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is demanding a thorough investigation after a member of the Bloodvein First Nation had a limb mistakenly amputated. Jason Kennedy went in for an amputation of his right leg at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg but came out of surgery to find his left leg had been removed below the knee.
“I cannot even begin to wrap my head around how traumatic and devastating this experience is for Mr. Kennedy and his family,” stated SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “I call on the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the provincial government to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into this disturbing and nightmarish mistake when it comes to so-called patient care.”
According to published reports, Mr. Kennedy was admitted to Seven Oaks General Hospital on October 23, 2024, because of pain and bleeding in his right foot. An amputation was then ordered at the Grace Hospital on October 28, and took place three days later, with the wrong leg being taken.
This horrific incident is another chapter in a story of inequity and systemic shortcomings when it comes to health care delivery for First Nations. In our recently published report “Decolonization: Recognizing First Nations Sovereignty 2024,” SCO’s Health Transformation department details the ongoing effects of colonization and systemic and institutionalized racism and how they continue to negatively impact all dimensions of the health of the individuals, families, and communities of our member Nations.
The circumstances that led to Mr. Kennedy needing urgent care can be traced back to the social, political, and economic disadvantages that for decades have prevented so many of our people from achieving and maintaining good health and accessing resources that support optimal health outcomes.
“Mr. Kennedy deserved the best our health care system has to offer, including empathy and respect,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “The patient safety review that is now underway can do little to make up for this grave error. My hope is that it serves as motivation for meaningful systemic change in healthcare and that we all come together to truly improve health outcomes for First Nations’ citizens and all those living in Manitoba.”
SCO calls on the government to hold a formal public inquiry into this medical mistake. An inquiry is one step toward gaining trust and holds the government accountable for this incident.
Details on SCO’s “Decolonization: Recognizing First Nations Sovereignty” report can be found on our website.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca