By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Kainai Nation protesting Alberta Health Services over discriminatory comment

Jun 22, 2017 | 8:48 PM

BLOOD TRIBE – “This is one battle I’m going to fight for the rest of my life.”
 
Ramona Big Head, Tatsikiisaapo’p middle school principal, made that comment to media on Thursday (June 22), addressing a discriminatory comment she received earlier in the week from an Alberta Health Services (AHS) representative.
 
According to Big Head, Renee Martin, an evaluation lead with AHS, and one of her colleagues were invited to the Blood Indian Reserve to carry-out two days of program evaluation training. After their first day of training on June 19, it’s alleged that Martin accidentally sent a text message to Big Head, claiming that Big Head yelled at her then calling the principal “a rabbid sq***.” (shown above) 
 
“I attended this training because I run a lot of parent programs, reading programs and such out of the middle school… I think at one point I questioned one of the examples they used, which had to do with experimental design,” Big Head explained, adding during a media conference at the Kainai Board of Education (KBE) offices that she has been teaching for more than 20 years, and is also a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia.
 
“The example she gave I felt was unethical, so I pointed that out… And I’m not sure that’s what prompted her to be offended at the end of the training session, but it was all done assertively but respectfully.”
 
The KBE superintendent and deputy superintendent were notified immediately about what had happened, according to an official protest letter that was read aloud for media on Thursday (June 22). Martin did attempt to call Big Head to apologize after the message was sent, but was told by the deputy superintendent to cancel the second day of training and that the KBE did not agree with her behaviour.
 
Trying to reach out once again, Martin sent an e-mail to the KBE on June 20 with the subject line, “For what it’s worth.”
 
The protest letter also points to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 calls to action, released in 2015. Recommendation 57 was specifically referenced, stating that all governments should “provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples,” and that “this will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.”
 
KBE officials are now working with a lawyer to send the letter, e-mails and text message to the appropriate Alberta ministers. They’re also demanding that:
 
– the two AHS representatives do not get paid for the training program they were requested for;
– AHS make a formal apology to the KBE, Blood Tribe and all reserves across Canada;
– the representatives be dealt with to the fullest extent, and all those actions be reported to the Blood Tribe Chief and Council;
– AHS ensures all its representatives have a high level of cultural awareness; and
– AHS fund a cultural centre on the Blood reserve in order for local elders to educate public servants as well as other communities.
 
“Canada is in the midst of its 150-year commemoration celebrations, yet the Indigenous peoples of this land are still experiencing racism, trauma and systemic violence in all sectors… I am speaking out today not just for my children and grandchildren, but for all of our children and grandchildren, and the many Indigenous peoples who’ve experienced racism,” Big Head said, surrounded by family, friends and other supporters.
 
Councillor Robin Little Bear noted that the Blood Tribe Chief and Council stands behind all of the KBE’s demands. She also said that Chief Roy Fox has already been in contact with Alberta’s Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman, as well as Minister of Indigenous Relations Richard Feehan in order to discuss the issue.
 
Lethbridge News Now did attempt to reach out for a comment, but AHS declined the opportunity. Instead, an official statement from Dr. Verna Yiu, AHS president and CEO, reads, “Any use of racist language is completely unacceptable,” and that AHS offers its most sincere apologies to the Kainai nation and Big Head herself (shown above).
 
An investigation has been launched into the incident, and Martin has been placed on administrative leave as of Thursday (June 22), according to the statement.
 
It wraps up by noting that this “does not reflect the beliefs of AHS and our employees,” and that cultural competency and sensitivity is an important priority for the organization.
 
“It’s lit that fire inside of me that just made me want to speak out more… This is one battle I’m going to fight… This is going far, as far as I can take this,” Big Head added.
 
“I’m angry, but at the same time thank you. This is happening for a reason, and maybe the reason is because I need to be the voice and help vindicate the rest who don’t have a voice today.”