YELLOWKNIFE – The Northwest Territories has promised an independent investigation into the death of an aboriginal elder assumed to be drunk when he was suffering from a stroke.
“I believe that the serious nature of the concerns that have been expressed in the media warrants further review and external investigation,” said Health Minister Glen Abernethy.
Papik, a 67-year-old Inuvialuit man from Aklavik in the northwest corner of the territory, suffered the stroke Aug. 3.
His niece Maggie Papik said she found out about what happened when staff at the elder’s home called her.
“They just phoned and said I had to go to him because he was drunk and he was on the floor,” Papik said Wednesday.
Papik went to her uncle’s home and knew right away something was wrong.
“I knew he was having a stroke just looking at him. There’s signs that people don’t understand.”
Her uncle knew it, too.
“He told me that he wasn’t drunk, because that was the first thing that they told me, that he was drunk. He was yelling at me, saying he wasn’t drunk.”
Papik got her uncle to the local health centre. She said staff didn’t perform a physical exam, despite her uncle having a history of heart trouble and none of drinking.
“They know his history,” she said. “We’ve been living in Aklavik all our lives. Every time he has a chest pain, we rush him in and they do a physical.
“This time, they never did a physical. That’s all I want to know — why they never did a physical, why they go on believing he was drunk?
“Even if you’re drunk, you still have to get a physical. It doesn’t matter.”
By the time Papik convinced medical staff to fly her uncle to hospital in Yellowknife, it was too late. He was eventually declared brain dead.
The family removed him from life support last week. Papik is arranging to have her uncle’s body returned home for a funeral.
“I was looking after him for 16 years,” his niece said.
“He was a happy-go-lucky person, always joking, always laughing. He never liked to see anybody sad and down and out. He’d probably give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.”
Abernethy said he first learned about the case last week from the local member of the legislature. The health minister acknowledged he decided to call the investigation after a media report and conversations with fellow politicians.
Abernethy said the probe will have the power to compel testimony. Although neither that testimony nor the hearing will not be made public, Abernethy said, adding recommendations will be.
“I’ve told the department I want it done as quickly as possible.”
Papik said many others have called her with similar concerns.
“I heard so many stories of so many people being mistreated.”
Abernethy said the territory’s health-care system needs improvement.
“Concerns about the impacts of racism in the health system have received considerable attention across Canada,” he said. “We know that this is a real issue and that our system is not immune.”
He pointed out the territory is already implementing a recommendation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to ensure “cultural competency” in health care.